The Volkswagen Golf had a 14-year reign in Europe where it was the best-selling car between 2007 and 2021. Last year, the compact hatchback/wagon duo didn't even make it on the podium as it had to settle for fifth place, behind the Peugeot 208, Dacia Sandero, VW T-Roc, and the Fiat/Abarth 500. Data compiled by JATO Dynamics showed demand plummeted by 14 percent to 177,203 units, with the Toyota Yaris breathing down its neck.
In a bid to rejuvenate sales, VW has already announced it will give the Golf a nip and tuck in 2024 when the mechanically related Skoda Octavia will also get an update. It might just be the final revision for the conventionally powered model as the ninth generation will be sold strictly as an EV. An unofficial rendering previews next year's mid-cycle update by taking inspiration from a recently spotted prototype that had a minimal amount of camouflage.
