Volkswagen · 2012–2021

Volkswagen Golf Mk7

The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6, and was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with European sales beginning in November 2012 for the 2013 model year. Marketed in three-door and five-door hatchback, van, and estate forms, the Golf Mk7 shares the MQB platform with the third generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. In November 2016, Volkswagen presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7. It was replaced in December 2019 by the Golf Mk8, which is built on the MQB Evo platform. Production of the e-Golf and the Golf Variant ended in mid-2020.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Volkswagen Golf Mk6 · Successor: Volkswagen Golf Mk8

All Volkswagen Golf data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Overview

Compared with the previous generation, the Golf Mk7 has a more spacious cabin, with more shoulder room for front and rear passengers, more rear legroom, and a larger boot. It is 20 mm (0.8 in) wider than the Mk6, with a 59 mm (2.3 in) longer wheelbase. Engine options at launch include 1.2 and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, with 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) and 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) respectively, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) respectively. The 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Concept has a theoretical combined fuel consumption of 3.2 L/100 km (88 mpg‑imp; 74 mpg‑US) and anticipated 85 g/km CO2 emissions. Available body styles are three- and five-door hatchbacks (including high-performance Golf GTI and Golf R models), and a five-door estate (known as the SportWagen in Canada and the United States, first advertised in May 2015). Sales of the three-door hatchback were not as strong as previous generations,, and it was dropped with the launch of the eighth-generation model in late 2019. A van version based on the three-door Golf was sold only in Ireland to commercial customers and was cancelled as corporations opted for the bigger Volkswagen Caddy. At launch in the US market, Volkswagen also offered the Golf Sport model. Around 650 of these SE four-door models were built, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in either Pure White or Platinum Gray, the Sport model is visually enhanced with a body kit that includes a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear valence, a larger rear spoiler, and chrome exhaust tips. The Golf went on sale in the UK in early January and was released in Australia in April 2013. In Brazil, the Golf Mk7 went on sale in September 2013, only in the High-line and GTI trims, along with

Safety

=== ANCAP === Euro NCAP. === Latin NCAP === The Golf, in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 7 airbags, received 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP 1.0 in 2014. In 2017, it was awarded 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers as well as the Advanced Award from Latin NCAP 2.0. IIHS. The 2021 Golf was tested by the IIHS:

Estate (Golf Variant, Golf SportWagen, and Golf Alltrack)

Volkswagen revealed the Golf estate/station wagon at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. It was marketed as the Golf Variant in Germany and Golf SportWagen in the United States and Canada, replacing the Jetta SportWagen nameplate previously used in the US. The Golf Estate's load space volume was expanded from the 505 litres of its predecessor to 605 litres (loaded up to the back seat backrest), versus the 380 litres of the Golf hatchback. Loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the Golf Estate offered a cargo volume of 1,620 litres (versus the 1,495 litres of the Golf Estate Mk6). The rear seat backrests can be folded remotely via a release in the boot. Four petrol engines and three diesel engines were available, ranging from 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) to 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) for the standard petrol engines and 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) to 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) for the diesel engines. For the first time, the Golf Estate was also available as a "full" BlueMotion model, including revised aerodynamics. This model uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 110 PS and a six-speed manual gearbox, and was expected to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg (equivalent to 87 g/km of CO2). The Golf R Estate used the same EA888 2.0L engine and all-wheel-drive system as the Golf R hatchback, along with other R-specific features. The Golf Alltrack was introduced as a ruggedized version of the Golf Estate, with slightly raised suspension, body cladding, a front skidplate, and all-wheel drive, along with other minor mechanical changes. The Golf SportWagen was available in S, SE, and GT/SEL (Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline in Canada) trim levels and used the same drivetrains as the standard Golf. The Golf Sportwagen was also available with all-wheel drive in th

e-Golf

The production version of the 2014 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. On 14 February 2014, Volkswagen launched sales of the e-Golf in Germany. In Norway, the e-Golf became available for pre-order on 25 February 2014 for delivery in June 2014. On 11 March 2014, Volkswagen opened ordering for the e-Golf in the UK with deliveries began at the end of June. Production of vehicles destined for retail customers began in March 2014. U.S. sales started in selected states in November 2014 with a single SEL Premium model for the 2015 model year. Volkswagen stopped sales of the e-Golf in the UK in 2021. Drivetrain and specifications. According to VW, the e-Golf has a practical all-electric range of 130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi), with an official NEDC cycle of 190 km (118 mi), reduced to 80 to 120 km (50 to 75 mi) in the winter. Under the EPA driving cycle used in the United States, the 2015 e-Golf has a range of 83 mi (134 km), and combined city/highway efficiency of 116 mpg‑e (29 kW⋅h/100 mi) (miles per gallon petrol equivalent). Real-world experience showed range varied between 58 and 110 mi (93 and 177 km), depending on the weather and use of climate control, with an average efficiency of 3.7 mi/kWh over 2,700 mi (4,300 km) of driving, mostly within the city. A heat pump was available as an option to reduce the power consumed by the heater in cold weather. The high-voltage traction battery has a storage capacity of 24.2 kWh, composed of 264 individual cells arranged in 27 modules of 6 or 12 cells each. It has a nominal voltage of 323 V. Overall weight of the entire vehicle, including driver, was 1,510 kg (3,330 lb), of which 318 kg (701 lb) was the battery. In November 2013, VW announced the e-Golf with a liquid-cooled battery. However, the "liquid-c

Golf GTE

The Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is driven by two power sources: a 1.4-litre 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 75 kW (101 hp) electric motor. Together, they combine to produce power of 150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp) and 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) of torque, with a theoretical range of 827 km (514 mi). Using the electric motor alone, the GTE is capable of speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph). With the TSI engine, the Golf GTE can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). The Golf GTE shares the basic powertrain hardware as the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, but the software controls are different. The Golf GTE also shares the same plug-in hybrid powertrain with the Volkswagen Passat GTE, but the Passat has a larger 9.9 kWh Li-ion battery pack. In EV mode, the Golf GTE has an official all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi) but in real world testing will often get around 35 km (22 mi) to 39 km (24 mi) miles of range. Under the New European Driving Cycle, combined fuel economy is 1.50 L/100 km (157 mpg‑US) equivalent. The electric power can also be saved—for example when driving to a zero-emissions zone. The 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in around three and a half hours from a domestic mains outlet, or two and a half hours from a domestic wallbox. The battery weighs 120 kg (265 lb), giving the GTE a total kerb weight of 1,520 kg (3,351 lb). The car has four (or on some older models, five) driving modes. The car will always start in all-electric mode (unless the battery has a very low charge). A button beside the gear stick allows the driver to select between Hybrid drive, which allows the car to switch between electric drive and the petrol motor when driving; Charge Mode, which uses energy from the petrol engine

Golf GTD

The Golf Mk7 GTD is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel engine with 184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp). Maximum torque has risen from 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) to 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft) from 1,750 rpm. The Golf R, in comparison, has 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft) from 1,800 rpm. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes 7.5 seconds, while the top speed is 227 km/h (141 mph). The GTD has a combined fuel consumption of 4.18 L/100 km; 56.2 mpg‑US (67.5 mpg‑imp), making for CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km. With the optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), fuel consumption is 4.50 L/100 km; 52.3 mpg‑US (62.8 mpg‑imp) and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. For comparison, when the first generation Golf BlueMotion went on sale at the end of 2007, it had the same fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Pre-facelift Post-facelift

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Volkswagen Golf Mk7

Manufacturer

Volkswagen

Production

2012–2020 (Europe), 2013–2020 (China), 2015–2020 (Brazil), 2014–2021 (Mexico)

Model years

2015–2021 (North America)

Assembly

Germany: Wolfsburg (Wolfsburg Plant); Zwickau (Zwickau-Mosel Plant); Dresden (Transparent Factory; e-Golf only), China: Changchun; Foshan (FAW-VW), Mexico: Puebla (Volkswagen de México), Brazil: São José dos Pinhais (Volkswagen do Brasil), Indonesia: Jakarta (National Assemblers)

Designer

Klaus Bischoff, Marc Lichte, Andreas J. Mindt and Philipp Römers, Thomasz Bachorski (interior), Manuela Joosten (trim), Andreu Sola (lights)

Class

Compact car/small family car (C)

Body style

3/5-door hatchback, 5-door estate

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

Platform

Volkswagen Group MQB

Related

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan, Audi A3 Mk3, Audi TT Mk3, SEAT León Mk3, Škoda Octavia Mk3

Engine

Petrol:, 1.0 L EA211 TSI I3, 1.2 L EA211 TSI I4, 1.4 L EA211 TSI I4, 1.5 L EA211 TSI I4, 1.6 L EA211 MSI I4, 1.8 L EA888 TSI I4, 2.0 L EA888 TSI I4, Petrol plug-in hybrid:, 1.4 L EA211 TSI I4 (GTE), Diesel:, 1.6 L EA288 TDI I4 CR, 2.0 L EA288 TDI I4 CR

Battery

35.8 kWh (e-Golf), 8.7kWh (GTE)

Transmission

5/6-speed manual, 6/8-speed automatic (Tiptronic), 6/7-speed DSG

Wheelbase

2631-2637 mm, 2619-2629 mm (facelift)

Length

4255-4280 mm (hatchback), 4562-4679 mm (wagon)

Width

1791-1799 mm

Height

1435-1514 mm

Kerb weight

1205 -

Predecessor

Volkswagen Golf Mk6

Successor

Volkswagen Golf Mk8, Volkswagen ID.3 (for e-Golf)

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Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62362CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk7CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375182280 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017_Volkswagen_Golf_(5G_MY17)_1.4_SE_TSI_hatchback_(2017-08-30).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Allie_Caulfield from Germany · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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