Welcome to the ever-evolving world of automobile dimensions, where the VW Golf has been a constant subject of fascination for those who appreciate the blend of compact efficiency and spacious design. Since its inception, the Golf has meandered through the megalithic car park that is the Volkswagen lineup, offering a sizeable interior within its seemingly modest enclosure. As it's nudged its shoulders wider with each generation, the question arises: how does it stand today in the grand parking lot of its contemporaries? Stick around as we delve into an odyssey of millimeters, comparing the Golf's girth to its ancestors, siblings, and the neighbors over the fence.
VW Golf - How has the width changed over the generations?
Since the days when flared trousers and disco were all the rage, the Golf has seen its waistline expand more generously than a holidaymaker after a fortnight in Vegas. Starting from the Golf I’s modest 1610 mm girdle, perfect for slipping through the narrow streets of old Europe, to the Golf VIII, which now stands proudly at 1789 mm, it's clear the Golf has been hitting the gym. This expansion might not sound monumental, but in the world of urban parking slots and garage spaces, every millimeter creates a new chapter in the car owner's manual of life. The increments, though gradual, illustrate Volkswagen's commitment to evolving consumer demands for space, comfort, and safety.
VW Golf generations
(Width)
VW Golf generations| Generation year | Width |
|---|
| Golf, Model year 1974 (I) | 1610 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1978 (I (1. Facelift)) | 1610 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1980 (Golf I (2. Facelift)) | 1610 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1983 (Golf II) | 1665 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1987 (Golf II (1. Facelift)) | 1665 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1991 (Golf III) | 1695 mm |
| Golf, Model year 1997 (Golf IV) | 1735 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2003 (Golf V) | 1759 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2008 (Golf VI) | 1786 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2012 (Golf VII) | 1799 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2017 (Golf VII (1. Facelift)) | 1799 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2019 (VIII) | 1789 mm |
| Golf, Model year 2024 (Golf VIII (1. Facelift)) | 1789 mm |
The difference in width between first generation (I) from 1974 and last generation (Golf VIII (1. Facelift)) from 2024 is 17.9cm mm.
The width of the current generation of Golf is 1789 mm.
Variants
VW Golf variants: Golf vs. Golf Variant
(Width)
Width: VW Golf variants| Variant name | Width |
|---|
| Golf | 1789 mm |
| Golf Variant | 1789 mm |
The width compared to other VW models
Now, let's consider the Golf's width within the Volkswagen family. The societal pressure to 'fit in' is evident as the Golf gawks at its slimmer relatives, the VW up! gang, all lounging at a svelte 1645 mm. It then sidles up closer to the more robust VW Tiguan, only to realize there’s still a noticeable gap, with the Tiguan flexing at a width of 1839 mm. Amidst this family of vehicular diversity, the Golf seems to find its sweet spot, hitting the ‘Goldilocks’ zone of not too broad, not too narrow, but just right for a sizable chunk of the motoring populace. Among its direct kin, it dances comfortably with the VW T-Roc and the VW ID.3, indicating that while it’s not the most expansive of the lot, it’s certainly no sardine tin.
VW Golf vs other current cars by VW
(Width)
Width: Golf vs. other models by VW| Variant name | Width |
|---|
| up! | 1645 mm |
| up! e-up! | 1645 mm |
| up! GTI | 1645 mm |
| up! cross up! | 1649 mm |
| Polo | 1751 mm |
| Polo GTI | 1751 mm |
| Taigo | 1757 mm |
| T-Cross | 1784 mm |
| Golf | 1789 mm |
| Golf GTD | 1789 mm |
| Golf GTE | 1789 mm |
| Golf GTI | 1789 mm |
| Golf R | 1789 mm |
| Golf R Variant | 1789 mm |
| Golf Variant | 1789 mm |
| Golf Alltrack | 1795 mm |
| ID.3 | 1809 mm |
| T-Roc Cabriolet | 1811 mm |
| T-Roc | 1819 mm |
| T-Roc R | 1819 mm |
| Touran | 1829 mm |
| Passat GTE Limousine | 1832 mm |
| Passat GTE Variant | 1832 mm |
| Passat Limousine | 1832 mm |
| Passat Variant | 1832 mm |
| Tiguan | 1839 mm |
| Tiguan Allspace | 1839 mm |
| ID.5 | 1852 mm |
| ID.5 GTX | 1852 mm |
| ID.4 | 1852 mm |
| ID.4 GTX | 1852 mm |
| Passat Alltrack | 1853 mm |
| Tiguan R | 1859 mm |
| ID.7 | 1862 mm |
| Arteon | 1871 mm |
| Arteon R | 1871 mm |
| Arteon R Shooting Brake | 1871 mm |
| Arteon Shooting Brake | 1871 mm |
| Touareg | 1984 mm |
| Touareg R | 1984 mm |
How does the width of the VW Golf compare to it's nearest competitors?
When placed on the global car comparison grid, the Golf finds itself in a curious middle ground. Rival estates like the Hyundai i40 swagger in with a width of 1815 mm, suggesting the Golf could do with a bit more stretching to hoard that elusive extra bit of cabin space. Then there's the slender grace of the smart forfour, a city car delighting in its modest 1684 mm width. Sports coupes like the Subaru BRZ gleam with a marginally narrower stance at 1775 mm, offering a similar spatial philosophy on a sportier plinth. This dimension dance underscores the Golf's position as a Jack-of-all-trades, marrying agility with a commendable internal expanse, making it a benchmark of balance in an increasingly segmented automobile market.
VW Golf vs. similar cars
(Width)
Width: VW Golf vs. similar cars| Car model | Width |
|---|
| Jaguar E-Pace 2018 | 1984 mm |
| NIO ET5 2023 | 1960 mm |
| KIA Stinger 2017 | 1870 mm |
| GWM ORA 07 2024 | 1862 mm |
| Mercedes-Benz T-Klasse 2022 | 1859 mm |
| Renault Koleos 2008 | 1855 mm |
| BMW i4 2021 | 1852 mm |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 2001 | 1845 mm |
| Ford Kuga 2008 | 1842 mm |
| Sono Motors Sion 2021 | 1830 mm |
| GWM ORA 03 2024 | 1825 mm |
| Alpine A290 2024 | 1823 mm |
| Citroen C-Crosser 2007 | 1805 mm |
| Cadillac BLS 2006 | 1802 mm |
| Peugeot 4008 2012 | 1800 mm |
| MG MG3 2024 | 1797 mm |
| VW Golf 2024 | 1789 mm |
| BYD Dolphin 2023 | 1770 mm |
| Ford Ka+ 2018 | 1743 mm |
| Alfa Romeo 147 2005 | 1729 mm |
| Toyota Prius 2004 | 1725 mm |
| Rover 45 2004 | 1678 mm |
| Daewoo Nexia 1995 | 1662 mm |
| Aixam Ambition 2023 | 1500 mm |
| Ligier Myli 2023 | 1500 mm |
| ARI Motors 902 2023 | 1490 mm |
| ARI Motors Soleno 2024 | 1480 mm |
| Fiat Topolino 2023 | 1400 mm |
| Citroen Ami 2024 | 1388 mm |
| ARI Motors 452/802 2019 | 1290 mm |
| Estrima Birò 2022 | 1107 mm |
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