Cars that made the ‘80s – The VW Golf Mk2

The Volkswagen Golf, it has been said, is the benchmark by which all other cars are judged. Many an automotive commentator has lamented that, in essence, every car on the road is a little more than an imitation, or at least an iteration, of the world’s most famous hatchback.

Range Rover? Big 4WD Golf. Fiesta? Small city Golf. 3-Series? Golf with a boot. Revuelto? Quick Golf. Tesla? Electric Golf. Rolls-Royce Phantom? Well, that’s just a Golf for the super-rich, isn’t it? And presumably a London bus is a double-decker Golf with enough seats for the rest of us.

The point is that the VW Golf is as solid, reliable and utilitarian as they come. It is, and will always be, seen as a motoring icon with almost infinite options available, impeccable German engineering and an even more impeccable reputation for being desirable, dependable and (no matter what you have in the garage) the car that secretly inspired your daily driver. The VW Golf is timeless, it spans generations and has sparked a true love affair with us Brits since the 1970s, if for nothing else, because it sees no class divide. It’s a Golf, and being a Golf means that it just works. It does everything it’s supposed to while being tasteful, understated and humble. A true symbol of everyday driving and practicality.

Now, while we agree with the sentiment – quite the accolade for such an exhaustive line-up of hatchbacks – it’s also undeniable that none of this legendary reputation could have been achieved without the Mk2 Golf hitting our shores in the mid-1980s.

But what about the Mk1 Golf, you say? Sure, the 1976 original will always be a motoring icon of the highest order, but we’d argue that the Mk2 was the model that made the Golf a true car of the people. Yes, the Mk1 replaced the VW Beetle, marking a distinct shift to front-engine, front-wheel-drive cars for the largest German manufacturer. It also brought along with it the Golf GTI – one of the most influential cars ever produced and the model that single-handedly created the hot hatch category. Even with its extreme popularity here in the UK, not even the mighty Ford Escort can boast that level of historical prestige.

But, with all the love we (rightly) have for the Mk1, the Mk2 Golf is the ultimate cult classic. It’s also a symbol of the 1980s that’s often ranked as the most popular of all eight generations of VW Golf. The production run here in Europe lasted just as long as the Mk1 – a full nine years – and more than any other model ever since. The Mk2 Golf isn’t just one of the cars that made the 1980s, but a car that has influenced every decade (and likely every other car out there) right up to the present day. 

Of the 6.3 million sold, more Mk2 Golfs are still on the road now than just about any other car from the 1980s and 1990s. And that should tell you everything you need to know.

The funny thing is, of course, that the VW Golf was still seen as a little exotic when the Mk2 came to Britain in March 1984. Being a European import meant it instantly conjured up images of sipping cappuccinos al fresco. A true representation of cool continental style and sophistication… bolstered even more because the right-hand-drive versions didn’t hit the UK until over six months after the Golf launched on the continent.

It may have been presented – and indeed perceived – as exquisitely European, but unlike many others it did its job without complaint, and without the kind of reliability and build-quality issues that came with cars from Italy or France (not to mention those being launched right here in the UK – Austin Montego anyone?). No, the Mk2 Golf was all business. A well-equipped, modern and reliable German workhorse. Much like the Mk1, in fact.

The difference, of course, was that the Mk2 made the Golf even more practical. Being longer, more spacious inside and much safer, it was easier to live with than its predecessor. But crucially, it still gained a reputation for retaining most of the lightweight and nimble characteristics that made the Mk1 so legendary. With relatively simple mechanics and some of the most durable engines ever made, spotting a Mk2 Golf, even now in 2026 isn’t the rarest of occurrences. We’d go so far as to say there isn’t even the sense of occasion you get with other 1980s cars. And we mean that as a huge compliment!

And all this is without even talking about the most desirable performance variants. After all, many have stated that it’s the Mk2 Golf that proved once and for all that you could have practical performance hatchbacks as everyday drivers.

Most famously there was the Mk2 Golf GTI. First the super-smooth 112hp, 1.8 8-valve version (1984) and then the 129hp 1.8 GTI 16-valve (1987). The debate as to which is better still rages among VW aficionados, but the salient fact is that over 80,000 GTIs were sold in the UK alone.

There was also the 158hp Golf G60 (1988) which came with a G-Lader supercharger strapped to the 1.8 engine, somewhat foreshadowing the use of forced induction systems in the more modern performance models. And then there was the Golf G60 Limited (1989) which squeezed out a whopping 210hp from the same engine… although they only made 71 of those, so good luck finding one. 

It doesn’t stop there when it comes to limited editions, either. The Mk2 helped to pioneer the concept of the limited-run, factory-modified super hatch. Perhaps the most famous was the Golf Rallye, which not only came with the G60 engine, but also homologated an all-wheel-drive system – along with a unique widebody and instantly recognisable square headlights – for the World Rally Championship. Only around 100 Golf Rallyes officially came to the UK between 1989 and 1990 and they were all left-hand drive. There’s no doubt that these have always been one of the most sought-after models with British modifiers and car collectors.

Speaking of AWD variants, there was also the lesser-known Mk2 Golf Country – a jacked-up off-roader complete with a bull bar and spare wheel carrier on the boot lid. Basically speaking, VW created a crossover before crossovers were even on the motoring radar.

The point is that the Mk2 – and in many respects VW’s attitude towards it – was all about innovation. This, along with parts like engines, interiors, wheels and drivetrains being pretty much interchangeable throughout the range, goes a long way to explain why it’s not only regarded as the godfather of, but the very foundation of, the German tuning scene. 

The truth is that few cars have had such a lasting effect on modifying culture all around the world as the Mk2 Golf. And that goes for all cars large and small, not just modified hatchbacks. So much so that nowadays it’s not all that easy to find any standard example, such is their popularity with modifiers.

But despite all this, and the cult status in the modern era, what’s clear is that the Mk2 Golf innovated without being too big for its boots. For the most part you wouldn’t call it too flashy or outlandish and, while you’d be proud to own one, you wouldn’t feel self-conscious or embarrassed driving it. 

That’s the magic of the legendary Mk2, you see, it was a true car of the people. All very humble, all very German and best of all it worked… just like, you might say, a Golf.