The Volkswagen Golf Plus launched in 2009 wasn’t a proper MPV like a Renault Scenic or Volkswagen’s own Touran, but instead allowed most of the regular Golf’s abilities to shine in a slightly taller and more practical package - the raised height making access easier whether for older drivers or installing kids in car seats.
VW prioritised the right things with the Golf Plus. There’s no pretence of sportiness, just frugal engines, a comfortable ride with reassuring handling, and a well-built and logically laid out cabin. Its age means it’s also incredibly affordable on the used market.
Volkswagen replaced the Golf Plus with the Golf SV in 2014, and if you’ve got the budget for something newer it’s an obvious upgrade. Another consideration with an even better image though is the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in both its 2004-2011, and 2011-2018 forms, as it’s very similar in concept to the Golf Plus.
The Volkswagen Golf Plus is the car you’d buy if the regular Golf feels just a little too small for you, and the Volkswagen Touran MPV a little too big. If that seems like a niche too far, then consider that Volkswagen wasn’t the only manufacturer to have built a car like this: Mercedes beat them to it with 2004’s B-Class, a nameplate you can still buy new today, and the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer is yet another.
Given the Golf Plus is now more than a decade old, you’ll probably be considering it from both a budget and a practicality standpoint. And it’s a smart choice with either factor in mind, being broadly as affordable as a regular Golf of similar age, but with a slightly more practical cabin and a higher hip point for both the front and rear seats - beneficial whether you have mobility problems, or as a parent want to avoid stooping down to strap kids into child seats.
It was never an exciting car to drive but it was always a comfortable one, with a ride quality that absorbs poor surfaces pretty well, and handling that’s easy around town but reassuring on the open road. The cabin is comfortable too, and you can choose whether to prioritise rear seat space or boot space, thanks to a sliding second row.
A pair of petrol engines and another pair of diesels were offered, and while diesel’s reputation isn’t what it was, it’s these units that probably still make the most sense, with plenty of torque and pretty good day-to-day economy. Just make sure that whatever you buy, it’s got a decent service history, as many of these cars will likely be on high miles by now.
The Golf Plus made way for the Golf SV in 2014 and this later car is effectively the same idea refined further. If you’ve got the budget, go for it, as it’ll likely be fresher than the equivalent Plus, and technology and safety both improved over time. A Mercedes-Benz B-Class of similar age is also well worth a look, as it’s also practical and has a solid feel.
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With even the most expensive used Volkswagen Golf Plus models over a decade old and less money than you’d pay for any brand new car, we’d advise choosing the best you can afford regardless of specification. The very best cars may still have main dealer service history and relatively few owners and should still be in pretty good shape, but are still unlikely to be as fresh as a nearly-new car.
As for engines, all have relatively painless VED bills (the 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology being cheapest of the lot). The longevity and economy of the diesels may well be appealing and they’re up to carrying a full complement of passengers, especially the punchy 2-litre unit.
The Golf Plus came with just two trim lines, and as a sign of the times, none of the sporty variants you’d expect from a modern equivalent. Instead it was just S and SE, and equipment that seemed reasonably generous at the time, such as standard air conditioning and DAB radio.
The Volkswagen Golf Plus’s dimensions are:
The Volkswagen Golf Plus’s boot size is:
All Golf Plus were made before the UK government’s vehicle tax changes, so you’ll pay based on CO2 emissions. This makes the 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Technology the cheapest to tax, with a 114g/km CO2 output meaning a yearly bill of only £35. The 1.4 TSI with the DSG auto, and the 2.0 TDI will be most expensive - they emit 146g/km and 144g/km respectively, which will set you back £200 per year.
Insuring a Golf Plus shouldn’t be too painful. The 1.2 TSI kicked off the range with group 10 insurance, with group 11 for the 90PS 1.6 TDI, groups 14 and 15 for the 105PS models, group 15 for the 1.4 TSI petrol, and group 19 for the 2.0 TDI. A regular Golf of similar age would be only slightly less, model for model.
