The seventh generation of the Volkswagen Golf, which debuted in 2012, is the Mk7.
Volkswagen introduced the Golf Mk7 in Berlin on 4 September 2012, followed by its public appearance at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. European sales began in November 2012 for the 2013 model year. It replaced the Golf Mk6 and was later succeeded by the Golf Mk8.
The Mk7 was significant because it moved the Golf onto Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, a modular architecture also used by cars such as the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. Compared with the Mk6, the Mk7 became slightly larger but could be substantially lighter, depending on engine and equipment.
The generation offered three- and five-door hatchbacks, estate versions and several major derivatives. These included the performance-focused Golf GTI and Golf R, the diesel GTD, the plug-in-hybrid GTE and the electric e-Golf. A facelift arrived in 2016, bringing revised styling, updated engines and expanded technology.
A common mix-up is confusing the 2012 debut with the 2013 model year. The generation was unveiled in 2012, while some markets sold it later or classified it under subsequent model years.