Volkswagen Golf Mk8
Produced from 2020–present, the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) is catalogued here with 4 powertrains. 3 petrol, 1 diesel, spanning 150 to 320 hp. The quickest version, the R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION, covers 0–100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. For fuel costs, the 2.0 TDI leads the range at 54 MPG (EPA combined). Externally it measures 4284 × 1789 × 1456 mm on a 2636 mm wheelbase. Full engine, transmission, performance, economy and weight data is compared trim-by-trim below, with EPA and NHTSA sources cited at the bottom of the page.
Generation Quick Facts: The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) was manufactured from 2020 – present (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 model years) as a hatchback. Across 4 verified powertrains, power outputs range from 150 to 320 hp, with top fuel economy reaching 54.0 MPG combined (2.0 TDI).
Power range
150–320 hp
Quickest 0–100
4.7 s
Best combined
54 MPG
Length
4.28 m
01Decision support
Which Golf Mk8 suits you?
Daily driver · least fuel
2.0 TDI
54.0 MPG combined
It burns up to 48% less fuel per mile than the thirstiest Golf Mk8.
Performance · quickest
R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION
0–100 km/h in 4.7s · 320 hp
Genuinely quick, with hot-hatch pace from a family body.
Sweet spot · balance
1.5 TSI
150 hp · 45.0 MPG
Sits mid-range for power without paying the fuel or price tax of the flagship trim. Usually the best value on the used market.
024 powertrains (3 petrol · 1 diesel)
Full specifications
| Specification | 1.5 TSIPetrol | 2.0 TDIDiesel | GTI 2.0 TSIPetrol | R 2.0 TSI 4MOTIONPetrol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||||
| Engine code | EA211 evo2 | EA288 evo | EA888 evo4 | EA888 evo4 |
| Fuel type | Petrol | Diesel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Displacement | 1.5L (1,498 cc) | 2.0L (1,968 cc) | 2.0L (1,984 cc) | 2.0L (1,984 cc) |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 | I4 | I4 |
| Power & Performance | ||||
| Power | 150 hp / 112 kW | 150 hp / 112 kW | 245 hp / 183 kW | 320 hp / 239 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft | 360 Nm / 266 lb-ft | 370 Nm / 273 lb-ft | 420 Nm / 310 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.5 s | 8.8 s | 6.3 s | 4.7 s |
| Top speed | 224 km/h (139 mph) | 223 km/h (139 mph) | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | ||||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch | Dual-clutch | Dual-clutch | Dual-clutch |
| Gears | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy & Emissions | ||||
| City | 38 MPG (6.2 L/100km) | 46 MPG (5.1 L/100km) | 28 MPG (8.4 L/100km) | 24 MPG (9.8 L/100km) |
| Highway | 52 MPG (4.5 L/100km) | 61 MPG (3.9 L/100km) | 40 MPG (5.9 L/100km) | 32 MPG (7.4 L/100km) |
| Combined | 45 MPG (5.2 L/100km) | 54 MPG (4.4 L/100km) | 33 MPG (7.1 L/100km) | 28 MPG (8.4 L/100km) |
| Electric range | — | — | — | — |
| Battery | — | — | — | — |
| CO₂ emissions | 127 g/km | 121 g/km | 167 g/km | 190 g/km |
| Weight & Body | ||||
| Curb weight | 1,357 kg (2,992 lbs) | 1,430 kg (3,153 lbs) | 1,465 kg (3,230 lbs) | 1,555 kg (3,428 lbs) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Model years | 2020–present | 2020–present | 2020–present | 2020–present |
03Then vs now
CD vs. previous generation
| Metric | Change vs. 5G |
|---|---|
| Peak power | +20 hp |
| Quickest 0–100 km/h | -0.2 s |
| Best combined MPG | +7 MPG |
| Average curb weight | +98 kg |
Why this matters
Versus the 5G, the CD is clearly more efficient, noticeably more powerful, heavier, mostly safety and equipment mass. Used-car shoppers should weigh these shifts against the 5G's typically lower asking prices.
View the 5G spec sheet0Exterior
Dimensions
Length
4,284 mm
168.7 in
Width
1,789 mm
70.4 in
Height
1,456 mm
57.3 in
Wheelbase
2,636 mm
103.8 in
Curb weight spans 1,357–1,555 kg depending on powertrain. Battery and AWD hardware add the most mass.
05Long-tail answers
Golf Mk8: questions answered
What engines and trims are available on the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD)?
The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) lineup offers 3 petrol · 1 diesel: 1.5 TSI (150 hp), 2.0 TDI (150 hp), GTI 2.0 TSI (245 hp), R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION (320 hp).
How quick is the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) from 0 to 100 km/h?
The fastest trim, the R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7s, reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) with the GTI 2.0 TSI.
What is the most fuel-efficient Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) trim?
The 2.0 TDI delivers the highest fuel economy at 54.0 MPG (EPA combined). Across the 4 powertrains, fuel economy spans 28–54 combined MPG.
How does the CD compare to the previous Volkswagen Golf?
Against the 5G predecessor it replaces, the CD is clearly more efficient, noticeably more powerful, heavier, mostly safety and equipment mass. Side-by-side technical specs are detailed in the comparison table below.
What model years are included in the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD)?
The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD) was produced from 2020 – present, spanning the following model years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What are the exterior dimensions of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD)?
4284 mm long, 1789 mm wide, 1456 mm tall on a 2636 mm wheelbase (168.7 in overall length).
06Cross-shop
Buyers also compare
Sources for this page
- EPA fuel-economy records: Volkswagen GolfCertification data, 2020–2026
- NHTSA vehicle file: recalls, complaints and investigations2020 Volkswagen Golf, official safety record
- NHTSA vPIC vehicle databasePowers our VIN decoder, the federal manufacturer registry
- Volkswagen official: data sheets and archiveManufacturer-published specifications
Figures on this page are compiled from the sources above and cross-checked against manufacturer data sheets. US-market EPA cycle where noted; European WLTP values are measured differently and are not directly comparable.
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