Generation history
Volkswagen Golf/GTI generations and next redesign.
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI has been through 8 generations, starting in 1974, 1983, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2008, 2012 and 2019. The gaps were 9, 8, 6, 6, 5, 4, 7 years, an average of 6.4. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2019. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2024 through 2026, centered on 2025. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The Mk8 Golf was revealed on 24 October 2019 in Wolfsburg. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Volkswagen Golf/GTI model page.
Every generation
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
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| First generation | Mk1/A1, Typ 17 | 1974–1983 | In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. |
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| Second generation | Mk2/A2, Typ 19E/1G | 1983–1991 | September 1983 saw the introduction of the second-generation Golf (Mk2) which grew slightly in terms of wheelbase, and exterior, and interior dimensions, while retaining, in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look. |
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| Third generation | Mk3/A3, Typ 1H/1E/1V | 1991–1997 | The third-generation Golf (Mk3) made its home-market debut in August 1991 and again grew slightly in comparison with its immediate predecessor, while its wheelbase remained unchanged. |
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| Fourth generation | Mk4/A4, Typ 1J | 1997–2003 | The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997 and later released in October of that same year as the 1998 model, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999. |
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| Fifth generation | Mk5/A5, Typ 1K | 2003–2008 | The Golf Mk5 was introduced in Europe in the autumn of 2003, reaching the UK market in early 2004. |
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| Sixth generation | Mk6/A6, Typ 5K | 2008–2012 | Volkswagen based the Golf Mk6 on the existing PQ35 platform from the Golf Mk5. |
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| Seventh generation | Mk7, Typ 5G | 2012–2019 | The seventh-generation Golf had its debut in September 2012 at the Paris Motor Show. |
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| Eighth generation | Mk8, CD1 | 2019–present | The Mk8 Golf was revealed on 24 October 2019 in Wolfsburg. |
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The Volkswagen Golf/GTI spent 6.4 years per generation on average. The current one is 7 years old. Treat 2024 to 2026 as a range, not a date.
Source: Volkswagen Golf (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Volkswagen Golf/GTI model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Volkswagen Golf/GTI generation changed.
First generation, 1974 to 1983
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI (introduced in June 1976 with a fuel-injected 1.6-litre engine capable of 180 km/h (110 mph)), a diesel-powered version (from September 1976), the Jetta notchback saloon version (from October 1979), the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet (from January 1980 through 1994) and a Golf-based van and pickup, the Volkswagen Caddy. The Golf Mk1 was sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico.
Second generation, 1983 to 1991
September 1983 saw the introduction of the second-generation Golf (Mk2) which grew slightly in terms of wheelbase, and exterior, and interior dimensions, while retaining, in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look. Although it was available on the home market and indeed most other left-hand drive markets by the end of 1983, it was not launched in the UK until March 1984. The Mk2 GTI featured a 1.8-litre 8-valve fuel-injected engine from its launch, with a 16-valve version capable of more than 220 km/h (137 mph) being introduced in 1985.
Third generation, 1991 to 1997
The third-generation Golf (Mk3) made its home-market debut in August 1991 and again grew slightly in comparison with its immediate predecessor, while its wheelbase remained unchanged. New engines included the first Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine in a Golf, and a narrow-angle 2.8-litre VR6 engine. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates are 9.0 L/100 km (city) and 7.4 L/100 km (highway), with 420 km (261 mi) per tank (city) and 584 km (363 mi) per tank (highway).
Fourth generation, 1997 to 2003
The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997 and later released in October of that same year as the 1998 model, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999. There was no Mk4-derived Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in late 1999 that consisted of bumpers, grille, and headlights similar to those of the Mark IV models.
Fifth generation, 2003 to 2008
The Golf Mk5 was introduced in Europe in the autumn of 2003, reaching the UK market in early 2004. In North America, Volkswagen brought back the Rabbit nameplate when it introduced the vehicle in 2006. In Canada, the Golf is still the prevalent nameplate of the fifth generation (though both Rabbit and Golf have been used historically). The North American base model is powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, which produced 112 kW (150 hp; 152 PS) in 2006 and 2007, but was upped to 127 kW (170 hp; 173 PS) in the later models.
Sixth generation, 2008 to 2012
Volkswagen based the Golf Mk6 on the existing PQ35 platform from the Golf Mk5. This vehicle was debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Mk6 Golf was designed by Volkswagen's chief designer Walter de'Silva. The design is said to be more aerodynamic, helping fuel efficiency, and is quieter than its predecessor.
Seventh generation, 2012 to 2019
The seventh-generation Golf had its debut in September 2012 at the Paris Motor Show. The Golf VII, Typ 5G used the new MQB platform, shared with the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. It was slightly larger than the Mk6 while managing to be approximately 100 kg lighter, depending on engine choice. The GTI offered a 154 kW (207 hp; 209 PS) turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with an available performance pack to raise the output to 162 kW (217 hp; 220 PS).
Eighth generation, 2019 to today
The Mk8 Golf was revealed on 24 October 2019 in Wolfsburg. It rides on an updated version of the MQB platform, with engine options consisting of compact petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. At launch, the five-door hatchback was the only model available, with the three-door hatchback having been discontinued due to poor sales. The Golf VIII's interior receives a major overhaul with an entirely digital driver's display and digital control panel.
Generation notes adapted from Volkswagen Golf (Wikipedia).
Today's Volkswagen Golf/GTI
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Volkswagen Golf/GTI at a glance
- Production
- 1974–present
- Class
- Compact car/small family car (C)
- Predecessor
- Volkswagen Beetle (first generation only, until 1998)
- Successor
- Volkswagen ID.3 (for e-Golf)