Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Named 2013 World Car of the Year

Volkswagen’s Golf Mk7 was awarded the 2013 World Car of the Year at the New York Auto Show, marking another major accolade for the new generation hatchback. The Golf secured the title after being selected by a panel of 66 automotive journalists from around the globe, who judged it against a field of recent launches from major manufacturers.

This latest win comes just weeks after the Golf Mk7 was named 2013 European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show, underlining its strong reception among both critics and buyers. The World Car of the Year jury considered a wide range of contenders, including the Toyota GT 86 (also sold as the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ), Porsche Boxster and Cayman, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3, Range Rover, Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Peugeot 208 and Volvo V40.

Volkswagen’s win in 2013 followed its previous success in 2012, when the Up! city car took the same title. The Golf’s back-to-back European and World Car of the Year wins bolstered its reputation as a benchmark for the segment and helped maintain its position as one of Europe’s best-selling models.

Golf Mk7’s appeal to judges

The seventh-generation Golf impressed judges with its blend of refinement, safety, efficiency and technology. Built on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the Mk7 offered reduced weight compared to its predecessor, improved fuel economy and a range of new engines. The car also introduced advanced driver assistance systems and connectivity features that were previously rare in the class.

For buyers, these improvements translated into lower running costs and greater comfort, while the familiar Golf practicality and solid build quality were retained. The model range covered everything from efficient diesels and petrols to the high-performance GTI, with further derivatives following its launch.