If you're on the hunt for a compact hatchback that can double up for those family road trips and occasional IKEA runs, the VW Golf's boot space is a number you're definitely going to want to crunch. The Golf has cemented itself as a versatile, practical choice in Volkswagen’s lineup, and the most recent model - the Golf VIII - offers 381 litres of boot space with the rear seats upright, stretching to a commodious 1237 litres when you fold the seats down. This is a welcome boost from previous generations and shows that Volkswagen has been paying attention to the storage needs of its customers over the decades.
VW Golf - How has the boot space changed over the generations?
Now, let's take a nostalgic journey through the boot space evolution of the Golf. The very first generation (Golf I 1974-1978) offered a modest 320 litres, and while that number remained consistent through its first couple of facelifts, the Golf II (1983-1987) gave us a mild improvement - 345 litres. Fast forward a few generations, the numbers fluctuate but generally hover around the 330 to 350-litre mark until the launch of the Golf VII (2012-2017), which offered 341 litres. The current Golf VIII stands out not only because it packs a punchy 381 litres but also because it leads over its predecessor in terms of overall volume with seats down. The Golf has continually grown up, getting better and better at hauling your odds and ends.
VW Golf generations
(Boot space)
VW Golf generations| Generation year | Boot space |
|---|
| Golf, Model year 1974 (I) | 320 l |
| Golf, Model year 1978 (I (1. Facelift)) | 320 l |
| Golf, Model year 1980 (Golf I (2. Facelift)) | 320 l |
| Golf, Model year 1983 (Golf II) | 345 l |
| Golf, Model year 1987 (Golf II (1. Facelift)) | 0 l |
| Golf, Model year 1991 (Golf III) | 0 l |
| Golf, Model year 1997 (Golf IV) | 330 l |
| Golf, Model year 2003 (Golf V) | 350 l |
| Golf, Model year 2008 (Golf VI) | 350 l |
| Golf, Model year 2012 (Golf VII) | 380 l |
| Golf, Model year 2017 (Golf VII (1. Facelift)) | 380 l |
| Golf, Model year 2019 (VIII) | 381 l |
| Golf, Model year 2024 (Golf VIII (1. Facelift)) | 381 l |
The difference in Boot space between first generation (I) from 1974 and last generation (Golf VIII (1. Facelift)) from 2024 is 61 l.
The boot space of the current generation of Golf is 381 l.
Variants
VW Golf variants: Golf vs. Golf Variant
(Boot space)
Boot space: VW Golf variants| Variant name | Boot space |
|---|
| Golf | 381 l |
| Golf Variant | 611 l |
The boot space compared to other VW models
Within the Volkswagen family, the Golf’s boot space sits comfortably in the middle. Smaller siblings like the VW up! cap at a snug 251 litres, while more high-performance versions like the VW Golf GTE offer a tiny bit more at 273 litres. Models like the VW ID.3 and heavy hitters like the VW Tiguan skyrocket past the Golf with 385 litres and 615 litres, respectively. Beating the Golf VIII in terms of sheer litre count are the SUVs and estates, but considering the Golf’s compact nature and spacious efficacy, it holds its own mightily well.
VW Golf vs other current cars by VW
(Boot space)
Boot space: Golf vs. other models by VW| Variant name | Boot space |
|---|
| up! e-up! | 250 l |
| up! | 251 l |
| up! cross up! | 251 l |
| up! GTI | 251 l |
| Golf GTE | 273 l |
| T-Roc Cabriolet | 284 l |
| Polo | 351 l |
| Polo GTI | 351 l |
| Golf GTD | 374 l |
| Golf GTI | 374 l |
| Golf R | 374 l |
| Golf | 381 l |
| ID.3 | 385 l |
| T-Roc R | 392 l |
| Taigo | 440 l |
| T-Roc | 445 l |
| T-Cross | 455 l |
| Passat GTE Variant | 483 l |
| ID.7 | 532 l |
| ID.4 | 543 l |
| ID.4 GTX | 543 l |
| ID.5 | 549 l |
| ID.5 GTX | 549 l |
| Arteon | 563 l |
| Arteon R | 563 l |
| Passat GTE Limousine | 586 l |
| Passat Limousine | 586 l |
| Arteon R Shooting Brake | 590 l |
| Arteon Shooting Brake | 590 l |
| Golf Alltrack | 611 l |
| Golf R Variant | 611 l |
| Golf Variant | 611 l |
| Tiguan | 615 l |
| Tiguan R | 615 l |
| Passat Alltrack | 639 l |
| Passat Variant | 650 l |
| Touareg R | 665 l |
| Tiguan Allspace | 760 l |
| Touareg | 810 l |
| Touran | 834 l |
How does the boot space of the VW Golf compare to it's nearest competitors?
But compared to its nearest rivals, how does the Golf stack up? Take the Audi A3 for instance, with a boot space of 350 litres, the Golf VIII certainly edges ahead. The Renault Latitude‚ with a boot space of 477 litres, and the Ford Mondeo at a brawny 500 litres, beat it convincingly, but then they are notably longer and heftier vehicles. For the Golf VIII’s compact dimensions, its boot space is impressively competitive. And, let’s face it, few of us need to rival a delivery wagon like the Mondeo just to fit in a good day’s shopping or an extra suitcase for a weekend getaway. The Golf VIII strikes a satisfying balance between size and cargo capacity, holding its position efficiently, not just within the VW lineup, but in the broader market too.
VW Golf vs. similar cars
(Boot space)
Boot space: VW Golf vs. similar cars| Car model | Boot space |
|---|
| Sono Motors Sion 2021 | 650 l |
| Jaguar E-Pace 2018 | 577 l |
| Mercedes-Benz T-Klasse 2022 | 520 l |
| BMW i4 2021 | 470 l |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 2001 | 469 l |
| Ligier Myli 2023 | 459 l |
| Renault Koleos 2008 | 450 l |
| Citroen C-Crosser 2007 | 441 l |
| Cadillac BLS 2006 | 425 l |
| Peugeot 4008 2012 | 416 l |
| Ford Kuga 2008 | 410 l |
| Toyota Prius 2004 | 408 l |
| KIA Stinger 2017 | 406 l |
| NIO ET5 2023 | 386 l |
| VW Golf 2024 | 381 l |
| Daewoo Nexia 1995 | 380 l |
| Rover 45 2004 | 370 l |
| BYD Dolphin 2023 | 345 l |
| GWM ORA 07 2024 | 333 l |
| Alpine A290 2024 | 326 l |
| MG MG3 2024 | 293 l |
| Alfa Romeo 147 2005 | 292 l |
| Ford Ka+ 2018 | 270 l |
| GWM ORA 03 2024 | 228 l |
| Estrima Birò 2022 | 122 l |
| Fiat Topolino 2023 | 63 l |
| Citroen Ami 2024 | 63 l |
Similar cars
