Opel Astra vs Volkswagen Golf: German compacts compared
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Opel · 2021–present
Astra L
- Power
- 133 kW181 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.6 s
- Top speed
- 225 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,678 kg
Volkswagen · 2012–2021
Golf Mk7
- Power
- 63 kW86 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 11.9 s
- Top speed
- 179 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,205 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Astra L 3 Golf Mk7 2
- Family Golf Mk7 Boot: 380 l vs 352 l; Euro NCAP: 5★ vs 4★
- City Golf Mk7 Length: 4,255 mm vs 4,374 mm; Width: 1,791 mm vs 1,860 mm
- Long trips Astra L Range: 3,231 km vs 1,020 km (estimated)
- Performance Astra L Power per tonne: 79 kW/t vs 52 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 7.6 s vs 11.9 s
- Running costs Astra L Fuel per year: €340 vs €1,290 (estimated)
Verdict Opinion
The Golf remains the more complete all-rounder. It has a five-star crash rating and more powerful plug-in hybrids, with a GTI and an all-wheel-drive Golf R at the top of the range. It also has a long track record on the used market.
The Astra is the better choice for buyers who want a bigger boot in the petrol hatchback. It also suits drivers who want a fully electric car that still looks and drives like a conventional compact. A facelifted Astra was revealed in January 2026, so dealers may offer good terms on the outgoing car.
— Felix Hartmann
The Astra and the Golf are the two German answers to the same question: how much car fits into a family hatchback of about 4.3 metres. Opel introduced the Astra name in 1991 as the successor to the Kadett, and it is now in its sixth generation, the Astra L. Volkswagen's Golf dates from 1974 and is in its eighth generation, the Mk8, which reached German dealers in December 2019.
For most of their history the two came from rival German groups with their own engineering. That changed with the current Astra: it was developed after Opel became part of the PSA group, now Stellantis, and uses the EMP2 platform also found under the Peugeot 308. It is still built in Rüsselsheim, where Opel has its headquarters. The Golf sits on Volkswagen's MQB Evo platform and is built in Wolfsburg.
Opel Astra vs VW Golf: space, engines and electric options
Boot and body styles
Both are offered as five-door hatchbacks and estates. The Astra L with a combustion engine has 422 litres of boot space, extending to 1,339 litres. The hybrid and electric versions lose some depth under the floor and offer 352 litres. The Astra Sports Tourer estate is 4,640 mm long on a 2,730 mm wheelbase and carries 597 to 1,634 litres. The Golf Mk8 hatchback measures 4,284 mm, with 2,636 mm between the axles; the Golf estate stretches to 4,633 mm.
Astra and Golf engines
The Astra L offers a 1.2-litre turbo petrol with 81 to 100 kW and a 1.5-litre diesel with 96 kW. Its 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid has 133 kW (180 PS), or 165 kW (225 PS) in the sporty GSe. Its battery grew from 12.3 kWh to 17.2 kWh in 2025. The Golf answers with mild-hybrid eTSI petrols (81 and 110 kW) and the 2.0 TDI. Its two plug-in hybrids are the eHybrid with 150 kW (204 PS) and the GTE, which now has 200 kW (272 PS).
A fully electric option
Here the Astra has something the current Golf lacks. The Astra Electric, revealed in November 2022, has a 115 kW (156 PS) motor and a 54 kWh battery, with a range of 415 km. Volkswagen stopped building the electric e-Golf with the previous generation and now sells the ID.3 as a separate model.
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the Golf Mk8 five stars in 2019. The Astra L, tested in spring 2022, received four stars out of five.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Astra L | Golf Mk7 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 518 | C · 445 |
| Power | 43 | 30 |
| Grip | 35 | 40 |
| Handling | 64 | 72 |
| Top speed | 48 | 30 |
| Launch | 45 | 24 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Astra LAstra L · 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid · 133 kW (181 PS) 15.53 sat 144 km/h
- 2 Golf Mk7Golf Mk7 · 1.2 TSI · petrol · 63 kW (86 PS) 18.00 sat 120 km/h · +2.47 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Astra L | Golf Mk7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,374 mm172.2 in † | 4,255 mm167.5 in −119 mm −4.7 in −2.7% |
| Width | 1,860 mm73.2 in † | 1,791 mm70.5 in −69 mm −2.7 in −3.7% |
| Height | 1,441 mm56.7 in † | 1,435 mm56.5 in −6 mm −0.2 in −0.4% |
| Wheelbase | 2,675 mm105.3 in † | 2,631 mm103.6 in −44 mm −1.7 in −1.6% |
| Kerb weight | 1,678 kg3,699 lb | 1,205 kg2,657 lb −473 kg −1,043 lb −28.2% |
| Boot | 352 l12.4 cu ft | 380 l13.4 cu ft +28 l +1.0 cu ft +8.0% |
| Fuel tank | 42 l11.1 gal US | 50 l13.2 gal US +8 l +2.1 gal US +19.0% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Yes |
Difference vs Astra L (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Opel Astra | Volkswagen Golf | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Astra L · 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid · 133 kW (181 PS) | Golf Mk7 · 1.2 TSI · petrol · 63 kW (86 PS) |
| Production years | 2021–present | 2012–2021 |
| Body | Sedan, Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 133 kW (181 PS) 178 hp Better | 63 kW (86 PS) 84 hp |
| Power, all versions | 42–206 kW (57–280 PS) 56–276 hp | 37–235 kW (50–320 PS) 50–315 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | No data | 160 Nm 118 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 7.6 s Better | 11.9 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 225 km/h 140 mph Better | 179 km/h 111 mph |
| Power per tonne | 79 kW/t 96 hp/ton calculated Better | 52 kW/t 64 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Plug-in hybrid | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,598 cc · 4 cyl 1.6 l | 1,197 cc 1.2 l |
| Gearbox | No data | 5-speed manual |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,374 mm 172.2 in † | 4,255 mm 167.5 in |
| Width | 1,860 mm 73.2 in † | 1,791 mm 70.5 in |
| Height | 1,441 mm 56.7 in † | 1,435 mm 56.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,675 mm 105.3 in † | 2,631 mm 103.6 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,678 kg 3,699 lb | 1,205 kg 2,657 lb Better |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 352 l 12.4 cu ft | 380 l 13.4 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 42 l 11.1 gal US | 50 l 13.2 gal US Better |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 1.3 l/100 km 180.9 mpg US Better | 4.9 l/100 km 48.0 mpg US |
| CO₂ | 30 g/km Better | 113 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | €340/year estimated Better | €1,290/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | 3,231 km 2,008 mi estimated Better | 1,020 km 634 mi estimated |
| Electric | ||
| Battery Why it matters: A bigger battery usually gives more range, but takes longer to charge fully. | 12 kWh | No data |
| Electric range Why it matters: A longer range means fewer charging stops on long journeys. | 60 km 37 mi | No data |
| Energy use | 17.7 kWh/100 km | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★☆ (2022) | ★★★★★ (2012) Better |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (2): Country, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Opel Astra is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 7.6 s against 11.9 s for Volkswagen Golf. Opel Astra is 119 mm longer than Volkswagen Golf (4,374 mm vs 4,255 mm). Volkswagen Golf is lighter by 473 kg (1,205 kg vs 1,678 kg). Volkswagen Golf has the bigger boot: 380 l against 352 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €340 (Opel Astra), €1,290 (Volkswagen Golf) (estimated). Volkswagen Golf is the older design (from 1974); Opel Astra arrived in 1991. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Golf is the pick for family and city; the Opel Astra is the pick for long trips, performance and running costs.
Which one to choose
Choose the Opel Astra if you want an electric compact without moving to a different model line, a large boot in the petrol hatchback, or the 165 kW plug-in GSe.
Choose the Volkswagen Golf if you value the top Euro NCAP score, want a hot hatch or an all-wheel-drive version, or prefer the more powerful plug-in hybrids.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Opel Astra a Peugeot underneath?
The sixth-generation Astra (Astra L) uses Stellantis' EMP2 platform, shared with the Peugeot 308, but it has its own design and is built at Opel's Rüsselsheim plant.
Which has the bigger boot, the Astra or the Golf?
The petrol and diesel Astra L hatchback offers 422 litres. The hybrid and electric Astra versions have 352 litres because of the battery.
Is there an electric Golf?
Not in the current generation. The e-Golf was part of the Mk7; Volkswagen's electric hatchback today is the ID.3. The Astra is available as the Astra Electric.
How did they score in Euro NCAP?
The Golf Mk8 received five stars in 2019; the Astra L received four stars in 2022.