VW Golf: The Only Car You’ll Ever Actually Need?
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Is the Volkswagen Golf finally back to being the best hatchback in the world, or has the Mk8.5 facelift come too late to save its reputation? Mat Watson is putting the updated Golf to the ultimate test to see if the return of physical steering wheel buttons and the massive new 12.9-inch infotainment screen have finally solved the Mk8’s biggest technical gripes.
We’re putting the new 88-mile eHybrid through its paces to see if it’s a better daily driver than a full EV, and checking if the 1.5-litre TSI is still the pick of the range. From the removal of the controversial "fake" exhausts to the truth about the ChatGPT voice controls, here is the definitive verdict on the car that just won 2026 Car of the Year!
Chapters
00:00 Reversing Camera: Is it clearer than the old model?
00:28 Design: Does the light-up badge look cool or tacky?
01:40 Price Check: Is the Golf still a bargain at £27,000?
02:02 Interior Truth: Has VW finally fixed the laggy screen?
05:02 Back Seats: Is there enough room for a growing family?
06:28 Practicality: Is the 381L boot big enough for real life?
07:38 3 Annoying Features: What still drives Mat mad?
09:15 5 Good Features: Did you spot the backlit sliders?
10:45 Engine Guide: 88-mile eHybrid or 60mpg Diesel?
12:59 Town Driving: Is it still the easiest car to park?
13:56 Motorway Driving: Is the cabin quieter than an Audi A3?
14:39 Country Roads: Still the best all-rounder to drive?
15:34 0-60mph: How fast is the 1.5 TSI really?
16:03 The Verdict: Should you buy, sell or avoid?
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Check out Mat's preferred trim & engine for each car: https://bit.ly/Mats-Engine-Choice