Spy Shots – VW Golf Estate Facelift

The current 8^th generation VW Golf is up for a moderate facelift – and our spies caught a prototype of the estate with minimal camouflage testing in Germany. Modifications at front will be limited to a new layout of the bumper and lower grille as well as slimmer headlight units. A new bumper at the rear plus modified inner graphics of the taillights will round the picture.

Inside, the centrepiece will be a significantly larger touchscreen for the infotainment system. This new screen, which looks very similar to the 15-inch unit found in the fully electric VW ID.7, will be a major upgrade. However, lower trims may come equipped with a smaller 12-inch screen like the one on the ID.3, which is still larger than the current Golf’s 10-inch display.

Volkswagen has pledged to get rid of the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and the Golf might be one of the first models to revert back to physical buttons. The new steering wheel will eventually find its way to the entire VW range. The facelifted Golf might also get new materials of improved quality, and new tech features like the digitally controlled “Smart Air Vents” that will debut on the ID.7. Furthermore, it should be expected that the new model will come with a more generous dose of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), in addition to the central airbag that was introduced for the 2023 model year which allowed it to achieve a five-star EuroNCAP rating.

AUTOMEDIA

The 2024 Golf will be based on a slightly improved version of the MQB Evo architecture, which will also be used by the mechanically-related Tiguan and the larger Passat Variant among other models from the VW Group. Engineers will improve the chassis setup, handling, and ride of the model which has always been treated as an all-around benchmark in the compact segment.

In terms of powertrains, the facelifted model will most likely be the last ICE-powered Golf before VW becomes an EV-only brand in 2033, which is why there won’t be any surprises under the bonnet. The updated 1.5 TSI Evo2 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine will sit at the core of the range featuring mild-hybrid tech, while the entry-level 1.0 eTSI might also get some updates to improve its environmental credentials. We don’t know whether the 2.0 TDI will make one last appearance before the demise of the diesel. However, the 2.0 TSI will make a comeback in the GTI and R hot hatches, possibly with a small dose of electrification.