√2022 Volkswagen Golf Buyers Guide

Here’s our guide to navigating the variants and options on offer with the 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Small Car

Volkswagen’s Golf has long been a go-to for the small passenger car segment, and we at Drive continue to rate it seeing as we’ve just crowned the Golf our Drive Car of the Year Best Small Car.

The new-generation Mark 8 car went up against carry-over champ Toyota Corolla and the second best-seller Hyundai i30, but ultimately won-out over its rivals thanks to its heightened levels of refinement and class-leading interior. It might be an evolutionary approach over its predecessor, but the new-generation Golf continues to set the benchmark for the category.

There are Golfs to suit every taste, from the entry-level $35,290 110TSI Life to the range-topping (until the Golf R arrives) GTI ($54,490), Volkswagen’s ‘people’s car’ continues to set the benchmark for the category.

Drilling down further, Volkswagen also offers the Golf in the sporty-looking R-Line specification (mid-tier model grade) and the car can be had in a wagon body style.

Our pick: 2022 Volkswagen Golf Life

The Drive team suggests the base-specification Volkswagen Golf Life is all the Golf anybody could need. While the GTI will service those after performance thrills, the Golf Life mixes a great level of standard-fit technology with a smooth driving experience.

The 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine outputs a competent 110kW/250Nm – the same as the other variants in the range (barring the Golf GTI). It also stocks a compelling amount of safety technology.

Despite being ‘just’ an entry-level model, the Golf Life presents as though it’s a top-spec model grade and could even be compared to some more premium rivals.