Short answer: the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019) is bigger — it is 2.7 cm1 in27 mm longer and 4.8 cm2 in48 mm taller than the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012).

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Volkswagen Golf Mk8 vs Volkswagen Golf Mk7

Volkswagen Golf Mk8 2019 · 5-door hatchbackVolkswagen Golf Mk7 2012 · 5-door hatchbackaligned at front bumper + ground · same scale

Side Front Rear

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Volkswagen Golf Mk82019–present · 5-door hatchback

Length428.2 cm14 ft 1 in4,282 mm2.7 cm1 in27 mm longervaries by version

Width178.9 cm5 ft 10 in1,789 mm0.2 cm0.1 in2 mm narrowervaries by version

Width incl. mirrors—no data

Height148.3 cm4 ft 10 in1,483 mm4.8 cm2 in48 mm tallervaries by version

Wheelbase262 cm8 ft 7 in2,620 mm1.1 cm0.4 in11 mm shorter wheelbasevaries by version

Ground clearance—no data

Boot (seats up)381 L

Boot (seats folded)—no data

Weight1,255 kg50 kg heaviervaries by version

Volkswagen Golf Mk72012–2020 · 5-door hatchback

Length426–428 cm14 ft 0 in – 14 ft 1 in4,260–4,280 mm2.7 cm1 in27 mm shortervaries by version

Width179–180 cm5 ft 10 in – 5 ft 11 in1,790–1,800 mm0.2 cm0.1 in2 mm widervaries by version

Width incl. mirrors—no data

Height144–151 cm4 ft 9 in – 4 ft 11 in1,440–1,510 mm4.8 cm2 in48 mm lowervaries by version

Wheelbase262–264 cm8 ft 7 in – 8 ft 8 in2,620–2,640 mm1.1 cm0.4 in11 mm longer wheelbasevaries by version

Ground clearance—no data

Boot (seats up)—no data

Boot (seats folded)—no data

Weight1,205–1,500 kg50 kg lightervaries by version

Dimensions may vary by trim, market and model year. For guidance only — check with the manufacturer before you buy. Sources are listed on each car's page.

Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019) vs Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012): the differences

The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019) is 2.7 cm1 in27 mm longer, the same width and 4.8 cm2 in48 mm taller than the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012).
Its wheelbase is 262 cm8 ft 7 in2,620 mm against 263.1 cm8 ft 8 in2,631 mm (1.1 cm0.4 in11 mm shorter).
The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019) weighs 1,255 kg and the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012) from 1,205 kg — about 50 kg heavier.
Some figures vary by version; see each car’s page for the exact source and variant.

Will they fit? UK parking bay and garage

Car	Parking bay 4.8 × 2.4 m	Single garage, 7 ft door
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019)	Fits comfortably	Fits, but tight	check my garage
Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012)	Fits comfortably	Fits, but tight	check my garage

Assumes a UK standard parking bay of 4.8 × 2.4 m and a typical UK single garage of 4.8 × 2.4 m inside (2.1 m high) with a 7 ft × 6 ft 6 in (213 × 198 cm) up-and-over door. Where we have no width-with-mirrors figure we add 20 cm to the body width. “Comfortably” leaves about 60 cm to walk round and open a door; “tight” means it goes in but getting out is awkward. Garages and bays vary a lot — measure yours and use the garage fit checker. For guidance only.

See the full specifications and sources: Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2019) · Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012). Dimensions may vary by trim, market and model year.