Released in 1974, the Golf has been a motoring mainstay over the decades. Its popularity comes from its premium feel, often overshadowing its rivals in terms of fit and finish.
But it wasn’t just about being posh; it was also a practical car. Available as a hatch, an estate, a convertible, a van and even a pick-up, the Golf has cemented itself as being all things to all drivers. Buy a Golf and it could well be the last car you ever need.
The thing is that 1974 introduction means the Golf has had many a decade to go through changes.
In fact, the Golf is now enjoying life in its seventh generation. So how do you tell the difference between the seven variations? Don’t worry, Haynes has got your back.
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The MkI
Built from 1974 to 1983
The MkI was a replacement for the popular Beetle. It was a revolution in terms of design, thanks to styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro and its front wheel-drive chassis, which made for lots of interior space.
It was also the car that, in 1976, kick started the GTi revolution. As icons go, they don’t get much bigger than this. The Golf effectively secured Volkswagen’s future thanks to its global popularity.
So how do you spot it? Well, by today’s standards, the MkI Golf is small – smaller than a modern Polo in fact. If you’re still not sure, two round headlights that ever so slightly overlap the front grille will be a dead giveaway, as will be the car’s flared arches.
Golf Fact: The MkI Golf was built and sold as the Citi Golf in South Africa from 1984 to 2009!
The MkII
Built from 1982 to 1992
The MkII Golf was introduced in 1983, though we didn’t get it here in Britain until 1984. To look at, it was very obviously a Golf. The popularity of the MkI had cemented it into the public consciousness, so the MkII was, even at launch, a familiar face.
Unlike the MkI, the MkII was never made as a convertible, instead the MkI rag-top was built alongside the MkII to satisfy the ‘wind in your hair’ contingent.
You can identify a MkII Golf by its fuller, wider and slightly longer body. Think of it as a MkI that has been beefing up in the gym.
Also, later MkII Models had ‘big bumpers’ that ran from under the front and rear lights down to the bottom edge of the car, rather than the thin bumpers of the MkI. If all else fails, have a look at the rear lights. The MkII’s are angular with a sloped inner edge – that’s a dead giveaway, as it was only Golf to have them.
Golf Fact: The MkII was a available in 4x4 ‘Syncro’ specification. Great for farmers!
The MkIII
Built from 1992 to 1998
The Golf had put on a bit of weight when it became the MkII, and the same thing happened in 1992 when the MkIII came along. It was a fuller, more rounded car. It was also the first Golf to make a real push into the premium sector in terms of finish and build quality.
The MkIII also brought with it some new engine options. There was a sensible, and very economical turbocharged diesel, while at the other end of the scale, you had the mighty 2.8litre VR6 engine – essentially a shallow angle V6 (the cylinders were in an ‘overlapping’ pattern, rather than in two distinct banks).
To identify a MkII Golf, have a look at the front end. It had oblong headlights, with a cluster containing marker lights and the indicators mounted in the bumper. Also, the windscreen was mounted flush into the body, with the roof channels that run over the car coming directly off the screen’s fitting at the top of the A-pillar.
Golf Fact: The MkIII Golf was the European Car of the Year in 1992, beating the Citroen ZX and Vauxhall Astra
The MkIV
Built from 1997 to 2003
The MkIII was a suggestion of the Golf’s premium goals, the MKIV however, was a full on grab for them. The build quality of the MKIV was enough to make rivals from Ford, Citroen and Vauxhall look like wheeled poverty.
The influence from Audi was never more apparent. It was also the car that brought the famed 1.8 20V turbo engine to the masses. Offering space, pace and comfort, the MkIV was a huge leap from the MkIII.
To identify it, the obvious clues are the always body colour bumpers. The rear lights, for the first time, were completely red/smoked, while the headlights were a complete unit housing both the main lights and the indicators – the first time for a Golf.
Golf Fact: The MkIV brought with it the R32. A 3.2 litre VR6 engined, four wheel-drive performance model.
The MkV
Built from 2003 to 2009
The MkV was more of a natural progression from the MkIV rather than being a revolution. Again, it shared its platform with the Seat Leon and the Skoda Octavia, and once more, it was marketed as being a premium alternative to other cars its size.
Available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, theMkV could be specified to suit any customer, whether they wanted performance or economy.
The MkV can be identified due to being slightly taller than the MkIV. The headlights are again, complete units with the indicators within. However, they are more angular to look at. Also, the rear lights are larger, more rounded and cross into the bootlid, unlike the MkIV.
Golf Fact: The MkV was available with a 1.4 ‘twin charged’ petrol engine, that means a turbocharger and a supercharger.
The MkVI
Built from 2008 to 2013
The MkV, while a good car, was somewhat criticised for losing some of the premium feel of the MkIV. It wasn’t a step back, more just not the leap forward everyone was expecting.
As such, Volkswagen addressed this with the MkVI by ensuring it was built with high quality materials. Bodily, it used the same basic (PQ35) platform of the MkV, but with some visual tweaks.
The headlights were a more defined, angular shape, while the rear lights gained a silver/clear strip on their lower edge. Also, you can tell a MkVI by the more angular front bumper, with heavy lines running down from the headlights to the lower grille under the number plate.
Golf Fact: Speed fans could get an R version, offering even more pace over the GTi thanks to a bigger turbo, intercooler and fuel injectors.
The MkVII
Built from 2012 – present
The current, MkVII Golf is an all-new (MQB) platform. It is also the first Golf to offer a hybrid option, which brings it up to date with competitor cars.
Again, the build quality and materials used are of the highest quality, ensuring the Golf is seen as a premium car above all else. The MkVII also saw the arrival of the Clubsport S model. Stripped out with a factory fitted roll cage and only two seats, it was briefly the fastest FWD car around the Nurburgring.
A more angular, defined face makes the MkVII easy to spot, as does the deeper front bumper. You can also tell a MkVII by the rear lights, as they much sharper and angular and thinner than any other Golf model.
Golf Fact: The Clubsport S version has a mighty 290bhp – you can see why it comes with a roll cage!
Our manual for the Volkswagen Golf MkVII will be coming out in early 2018!
