Should you buy a hatchback in 2026?: Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI Life Plus (2025) Quick Review

We ask the question: Should you buy a hatchback in 2026? Using the Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI in Life Plus guise, we explore the pros and cons.

Ryno Fourie

2 Mar 2026 · 07:398 min read

Volkswagen provided AutoTrader with a long-term test vehicle: a Golf 1.4TSI in Life guise. After a few weeks of rotating between the team, Ryno grabbed the keys to find out what the model is like to drive. In this video review, he asks: Should you buy a hatchback in 2026?

Related: Long-Term Update 2: Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI Life Plus (2025)

Remember, you can sell your car quickly and easily on our website here. You can also search for new or used Volkswagen Golf models on AutoTrader here.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI Life (2025) Quick Video Review

In this video review we cover the following:

The Drive

Performance

Space and Comfort

Safety

Fuel Consumption

Price

The Verdict

Interested in buying a Volkswagen Golf?

Written by Ryno Fourie

Ryno started his career capturing press images of the latest and greatest vehicles which have subsequently adorned the covers and pages of prominent motoring titles locally and internationally. After a short stint as a photography lecturer, he once again joined the automotive industry as a sub-editor and photographer for a local publication, however, currently, you will find him spending most of his time in the studio creating written, video, and photography content as part of the AutoTrader content team.Read more