VW Golf VII
South Africa's love affair with the Golf has lasted since the 1970s to date. Every new generation of Golf is loved and coveted.
The Golf 7 uses the same MQB platform as the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. This car won the Car of the Year Japan Award; it was the first time that this award had gone to a European car.
In 2016, VW launched a facelift of the Golf Mk7, and in 2020, production of the Golf 7 ceased. Golf Mk7 has a more spacious cabin with wider shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom, and more boot space. It is 20mm wider than the Golf 6, with a 59mm longer wheelbase.
Engine options include 1.2 and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, with 85PS (63kW; 84hp) and 140PS (103kW; 138hp) respectively, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, with 105PS (77kW; 104hp) and 150PS (110kW; 148hp) respectively.
The Golf VII GTi is a favourite; the engine's maximum power is 169kW (230 PS) with 350 N·m of torque and a top speed of 250km/h! It's the ultimate Hot hatch.