With the market launch of the new VW Golf 8 in December 2019, the cards in the compact class are being reshuffled. The undisputed best-seller from Wolfsburg now enters its eighth generation. In our photo comparison, we show the new model side-by-side with the also new BMW 1 Series, which in its third generation has switched over to a front-wheel drive architecture.
From a technical point of view, the VW Golf 8 remains close to its successful predecessor. It uses an advanced version of the introduced with the Golf 7 Modular Transverse Modules (MQB), has the same wheelbase and only about three centimeters longer. With a length of about 4.28 meters, just under 1.79 meters wide and about 1.45 meters in height, the Golf 8 moves on a similar level as the BMW 1 Series F40 (4.32 meters in length, 1.80 meters width and 1.43 meters height).
The design of the VW Golf 8 presents itself as an evolution with narrower LED headlights and flatter taillights. The side mirrors look sporty and there is a chrome strip on the rear, as well as the new “Volkswagen” text on the B-pillar.
Completely new is the interior of the VW Golf 8 which relies on fully digital displays and a few classic buttons. Unlike the BMW 1 Series F40, the 10.25-inch display behind the wheel is standard on board, while another 10.25-inch display to the right is optionally available, as is a head-up display. Voice control and a multitude of electronic assistance systems are also available.
In Europe, the engine lineup is quite extensive, with diesel, gas, hybrid and natural gas powertrains. There are 1.0-liter three-cylinder gas (TSI) engines with 90 and 110 horsepower, as well as 1.5-liter four-cylinder TSI units with 130 and 150 horsepower, with cylinder deactivation and optional 48-volt mild hybridization.
There is also a 2.0-liter TDI engines with 115 and 150 hp which will be followed by a GTD with a TDI that makes around 200 horsepower, a GTI with around 240 horsepower and the Golf R with around 330 horsepower. In addition, there will be two plug-in hybrids with 204 or 245 horsepower, and even a TGI version that runs on natural gas. All-wheel drive will be offered as well.
So this is quite an upgrade for the VW 8 which makes it an even more compelling product in the segment.
The photo comparison below offers a direct visual comparison between the two models. Which one is your favorite?
[Source: Bimmertoday]
Man, the BMW is just so ugly!
The new Golf is not a pretty car either, but I would rather be seen in it than the BMW… of course being driven by someone else.
Right! This new 1 series so f….. ugly
Ugly as shit AND has lost its usp in the segment.
I can’t agree more, that thing is so ugly it’s comical what a shame
At least it provokes some reactions, unlike the Golf which will cause absolutely no stir at all.
Just confusion in parking lots, remember walking up & down a street in search of my friend’s silver grey Jetta. It was 1992. Wonder if she’s still looking?
If you look at the side-by-side from farther away, all you see is a weird gaping hole in the middle of the white car.
Those are called windows.
You are complicating matters again.
Sez the ton o’ simple.
Outside golf all the way. Interior beemer. I am absolutely disqussed about recent styling. My F36 M-sport is beautiful but i will probably move away from bwm. Even Tesla model 3 is good looking compared to recent beemers and it is fugly.
The only new BMWs which look good are the M8 and the (sadly soon to be butchered) M5/5 Series.
Now we’re passing judgment on two cars we haven’t seen in person. It’s like judging a book by its cover…
I will say this about the comparison, it is very interesting to see two very different styling directions in the same class.
I can not wait to see the 1er on the roads when true judgement can be made after a year or so.
On the outside, the BMW is just hideous!
On the inside, MPertz is just hideous!
So it’s entirely possible to do a FWD car without a hood line! Wow!
Learn BMW!
Also… 1 Series’ rear windows are too small because of the belt line going too high….
prefer the Golf’s face…
Sit on it.
At least the golf don’t pretend to be half an SUV and Half a sports car… it’s just a Golf plain simple boring but efficient… the BMW doesn’t know what it is anymore… it lost the sport car setup, and looks bloated.
Hatchback, no confusion. X2 is SAC. When & where did you see 1er that it’s a bloated SUV? On your keyboard? Not in life.
The Golf looks better from every angle
Arguably.
The BMW looks better from every angle.
If by better you mean more familiar, for 40+ yrs. & 8 generations.
Sad Think, the 1`s face look weird, the back looks cool. From side I Think the golf Wins. Inside BMW is the winner. But the 1 series scored only 83 in full frontal crashtest http://www.euroncap, Ford focus and Skoda scala scored 96 and 97 of I remember correct. BMW 🤔 thats not good.
5 star safety rating Euro NCAP 2019. In a BMW you don’t have to actually hit things. That’s good.
Hate to say it but the Golf pisses all over the 1.
The only reason you’d buy a 1 over the golf is to be able to say “I’ve got a BMW”. That’s it.
In volume only, for fans of conformity.
Is no one going to talk about how they completely ripped off bmw dash design?
They ripped off BMW interior from the dash, steering wheel, antenna, headlights, etc..
This😑! It’s like an embargo no journalist even mentions it
If you like more of the same, cheap materials the golf is for you
Hater
He’s right, new BMW>retread VW.
There’s no comparison here. I’m not even going to say which is better because it’s painfully obvious
As r u, speaking of hater.
Well I’ll take 1 series. Looks way better than the Golf for me..
I attended a launch event of the 1series 2 weeks ago. Same spec as the car in this picture and i can assure you guys that it looks way better in person than in pictures.
I was invited for a test drive by my BMW dealer two weeks ago and I found the car as ugly as in the pictures.
Its true my brother told me that and I was sceptical until I saw it at the dealer myself. I could appreciate it. Not in the crazy m performance naruto sixtales white with stripes guise tho!. The normal m package version is nice. Coupled with the interior it’s a winner
I agree. I saw a 1 Series a couple of days ago. It was blue with the chrome slats in the grille instead of the black like the one in this article, and it really does look a lot better in the metal than in all the photos in my opinion.
in front the golf is the one which looks better , BMW front is simply awful it’s between pig and fiat multipla , even the fiat looks far better.