Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Named 2013 European Car of the Year
The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf took the top prize at the 2013 European Car of the Year awards in Geneva, beating rivals from Ford, Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz.
Volkswagen’s Golf Mk7 secured the 2013 European Car of the Year title, with the result announced at the Geneva Motor Show. The new Golf emerged ahead of a shortlist that included the Ford B-MAX, Hyundai i30, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 and Volvo V40.
The European Car of the Year jury, made up of motoring journalists from across the continent, considered models introduced in the past year. The Golf’s win continues Volkswagen’s strong performance in Europe, following the Mk6’s high sales and the Up! city car’s success in previous years.
Golf Mk7: What set it apart?
The seventh-generation Golf arrived in European showrooms in late 2012, built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform. Compared to its predecessor, the Mk7 is longer, wider and lower, with increased interior space despite a reduction in weight. The car’s length grew to 4,255mm, width to 1,799mm, and height dropped to 1,452mm. Rear legroom and front passenger space were both improved.
| Length | 4,255mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,799mm |
| Height | 1,452mm |
| Platform | Volkswagen MQB |
| Starting price (Europe) | Approx. €17,000 |
The Golf Mk7’s engine range at launch covered petrol and diesel units, with improved efficiency and lower emissions compared to the outgoing model. The MQB architecture also allowed for more flexible manufacturing across Volkswagen Group brands, with the Skoda Octavia and Audi A3 among those sharing the platform. For more on the Octavia’s use of Golf Mk7 engines and platform, see 2014 Skoda Octavia to Use VW Golf Mk7 Engines and Platform.
Competition and market impact
The 2013 shortlist included a mix of superminis, family hatchbacks and a sports coupe. The Ford B-MAX, with its sliding doors and absence of a central B-pillar, was notable for its practicality, while the Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio targeted the heart of the European small car market. The Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 twins brought rear-wheel-drive sports car dynamics, but the jury favoured the Golf’s blend of practicality, efficiency and refinement.
- Ford B-MAX: Compact MPV with sliding doors
- Hyundai i30: Family hatchback
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Premium compact
- Peugeot 208: Supermini
- Renault Clio: Supermini
- Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86: Sports coupe
- Volvo V40: Premium hatchback
The Golf’s win reinforced its position as Europe’s best-selling car, a status it had maintained for several years. For a closer look at its sales dominance, see VW Golf Holds Top Spot in Europe for Fourth Straight Year.
