Which Golf trim should I choose?
Start with Life or Match if you want the Golf's core kit without paying for wheels and styling, choose R-Line or Black Edition for the sportier look, and treat the performance versions as a separate decision about pace.
Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.
Life
The entry version, 114 bhp and front-wheel drive, on 16-inch "Norfolk" alloy wheels with cloth upholstery. It includes navigation, adaptive cruise control, a multifunction front-facing camera for distance control and dynamic road sign display, plus heated front seats, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors and climate control. The Life is currently available from £300.88 a month.
Match
Match adds a rear-view camera and privacy glass over Life, and moves to 17-inch "Nottingham" alloys. Head-up display, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring and a heated steering wheel are all available as options. Many reviewers point to this trim as the sensible everyday choice. The Match is currently available from £238.67 a month. Against the Life, that is currently £62.21/mo cheaper. Best value
R-Line
R-Line adds a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, sports suspension and front sports seats over Match, on 17-inch "Coventry" alloys. Matrix LED headlights, ventilated front seats and three-zone climate control can be specified as options. The R-Line is currently available from £259.52 a month. Against the Match, that is currently £20.86/mo more expensive.
Black Edition
Black Edition adds 18-inch "Leeds" alloy wheels, exterior ambient lighting and matrix LED headlights over R-Line. A retractable towbar is on the options list here, which R-Line doesn't offer. The Black Edition is currently available from £295.31 a month. Against the R-Line, that is currently £35.78/mo more expensive.
Style
Style is the comfort-led choice, adding leatherette door inserts, side trim and arm support, front seat lumbar adjustment, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, three-zone climate control and paddle shifters. It runs 17-inch "Nottingham" alloys, with sports suspension available as an option. The Style is currently available from £317.90 a month. Against the Black Edition, that is currently £22.60/mo more expensive.
Then there are the performance Golfs.
GTE
The 268 bhp plug-in hybrid, quick but quiet with it, on 17-inch "Richmond" alloys. Over Life it brings a heated steering wheel, self-steering parking, rear-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, three-zone climate control, privacy glass, sports suspension, front sports seats and front fog lights. The GTE is currently available from £371.41 a month.
GTI
The 261 bhp petrol hot hatch, still the yardstick for road testers who want pace without harshness. Over Style it adds a heated steering wheel, self-steering parking, privacy glass, sports suspension and front fog lights, on 18-inch "Richmond" alloys, with adaptive suspension optional. The GTI is currently available from £391.20 a month. Against the Style, that is currently £73.30/mo more expensive.
GTI Clubsport
A sharper 296 bhp take on the GTI, adding paddle shifters and keeping the 18-inch "Richmond" wheels. Heated rear seats and matrix LED headlights are among the options. The GTI Clubsport is currently available from £411.50 a month. Against the GTI, that is currently £20.30/mo more expensive.
R
328 bhp and all-wheel drive, on 18-inch "Jerez" alloys, adding automatic high beam over GTI Clubsport. This is the all-weather fast Golf, and 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds belongs to this end of the petrol range. The R is currently available from £327.76 a month. Against the GTI Clubsport, that is currently £83.75/mo cheaper. Best value
GTI Edition 50
An edition of the GTI with 321 bhp, 19-inch "Queenstown" alloys and paddle shifters. Deals for it come and go, so ask our team what's available. The GTI Edition 50 is currently available from £441.47 a month. Against the GTI, that is currently £50.27/mo more expensive.
R Black Edition
An edition of the R with the same 328 bhp and all-wheel drive, distinguished by its 19-inch "Estoril" alloys and darker look rather than extra equipment. Availability comes and goes, so it's worth asking us. The R Black Edition is currently available from £439.60 a month. Against the R, that is currently £111.84/mo more expensive.
