2022 Volkswagen Golf

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Overview

Golf, the car, has almost become as famous as the sport of golf. It’s arguably Volkswagen’s most successful and well-known model besides the Beetle and has become an icon in its own right.

Launched in late 2021 as a 2022 model year vehicle, the 8th-generation Golf enters the Malaysian market locally assembled, rolling off the factory floor in Pekan, Pahang. It aims to set a new standard in premium hatchbacks with an assortment of tech features, a broad talent of on-road abilities, top notch build quality, efficient/powerful engines, and a bold (for VW standards) new design.

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Variants and Specs

In Malaysia, the Golf MK8 comes in three (3) flavours, depending on the buyers needs and pricing preference. Both offer the same 5-door body style and C-segment hatchback dimensions alongside a series of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines mated to an automatic transmission.

Kicking off the range is the ‘standard’ Golf, albeit spiced up with the R-Line cosmetic package for a little extra sportiness. It’s no slouch either as drive is supplied by a 1.4-litre TSI turbo-petrol with 150PS and 250Nm paired to an 8-speed torque converter type automatic transmission.

Moving up the ranks, we find the Golf GTI, which might even be different enough to warrant a separate section. Here Volkswagen has distilled everything it has learned over the almost 50 year history of this seminal hot hatch and, besides the heart-pounding performance, that’s clear from the exterior flourishes to the driver-focused interior.

Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol is called into action here, supplying 245PS and 370Nm to the front wheels for a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds thanks to a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission. There’s even adaptive suspension (Dynamic Chassis Control) to help rein in those German ponies.

The King of the Hill, however, is the Golf R, with that suffix implied to mean ‘racing’ and the only one in the range that arrives fully imported (CBU). That said, the R is also the most matured Golf, as it’s the only one with all-wheel drive (4Motion). It’s even faster than the GTI, though, with its 2.0-litre mill churning out 320PS and 420Nm, shaving that century sprint to just 4.8 seconds.

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Exterior and Interior

You can expect each version of the MK8 Golf to feature the kind of build quality and material integrity that befits a car of such renown and calibre. Volkswagen has clearly put additional effort into assuring customers a palpable upmarket experience.

The biggest visual differentiator are the wheels with the R-Line sporting 17-inch alloys, the GTI wearing a larger 18-inch set, and the Golf R boasting ones with an even larger 19-inch diameter. Despite this, the ‘at a glance’ differences aren’t too apparent as VW aren’t known for big cosmetic flourishes, so all these cars still look relatively understated.

Inside, all Golfs receive a brand new interior fitments that’s a big step up from its predecessor in design and ergonomics, the focal point of which is a combination large touchscreen infotainment system and fully digital instrument cluster. Its minimal, high quality, elegant, and just looks purposeful.

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Tech and Safety

The 10-inch Discover Pro central touch unit is perched above the main air conditioning vents (3-zone climate control) and punctuates the dashboard ‘deck’, inheriting many of the functions previously controlled by physical buttons. Of course, it also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all variants and even a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system on the Golf R.

Adaptive LED headlamps and tail lamps are also standard fitment, so is keyless entry and start as well as ambient interior lighting. However, while safety is covered with 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control, a reversing camera, and front/rear parking sensors, active safety features still elude the Golf in its Malaysian-spec.

Examples of this include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring, though VW does add Post-Collision Braking. These features are now even available in certain Proton and most Perodua models, which makes their continued absence here - on a Volkswagen - all the more glaring.

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Rivals and Competitors

The roster of challengers may be much longer in other parts of the world but in Malaysia, the Golf faces far fewer opponents. In R-Line guise, its main rivals would be the venerable Mazda 3 and….yes, that’s it.

In terms of an outright value proposition, the 11th-generation Honda Civic (FE) is also worth considering, if you don’t mind a sedan body style. Though it might not have the prestige of the Volkswagen, it does offer more practicality, brisk performance, very comparable characteristics in its drive and has made big strides in aspects of its perceived quality. It also has Honda Sensing in 2 of its 3 variants.

The Golf GTI and the Golf R faces tougher opposition but aren’t exactly outnumbered. As hot hatchbacks, it faces the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and the Honda Civic Type R, though both of these could be seen as not entirely similar machines.The GTI seems to be the clear performance bargain here, being the only one that’s locally assembled and, for now, enjoying a clear field almost completely void of direct rivals. It’s hard to go faster, in such style and competence, for less money.

2022 Volkswagen Golf Pros and Cons

Because the Golf R-Line and Golf GTi are now locally assembled, they have a much better price point compared to previous iterations as they were fully imported units. The Golf R-Line in particular has an impressive amount of features, including some lovely R-Line seats, 30 colour ambient lighting, full LED headlights and taillights as well as an intelligent voice control system that can be activated by saying the magic words "Hello Volkswagen".

Perhaps the only area where the Golfs are running thin is in the safety department as they only come with passive safety features. Useful active safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring are not available on the locally assembled cars.

2022 Volkswagen Golf Prices

• Golf R-Line - RM169,990
• Golf GTI - RM 214,990
• Golf R - 389,990

All prices are inclusive of three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty and five years roadside assistance.

2022 Volkswagen Golf Key Features

While the Golf GTI and Golf R are equipped with VW's recognisable dual-clutch (DSG) transmission, the Golf R-Line is surprisingly equipped with an 8-speed torque converter type automatic transmission, which should make it a better daily driver. All Golfs receive brand new interior fitment that’s a big step up from their predecessor in design and ergonomics, the focal point of which is a combination large touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster.