The second generation of the Golf was more of an evolution rather than a revolution for the German compact hatchback, but its innovations helped it climb on top of the sales charts.
The new model looked very similar to its predecessor, but it was bigger. Apart from the height, it was like a 110% Golf I. But its wide engine choice and the form-follow-function theme won the buyers’ hearts. In its nine years of production, the Golf’s second generation was sold in over six million units. Teenagers and delivery companies chose the three-door version. The main difference was that while the former went for gasoline engines, the latter went for the fuel-efficient diesel powerplants.

For Europe, the Golf II sported round headlights and a wedged shape that was easy to recognize. The U.S. customers received a slightly different version, with squared headlights and a similar black slatted grille. Both versions featured plastic, wrapped-around bumpers front and rear, albeit the U.S. version provided fatter ones to pass the safety standards. In the base model, the car sported steel wheels with plastic, tea-cup-sized caps.

Inside, the carmaker installed an angular-looking dashboard, and a squared instrument cluster extended the center stack. For the base trim level, the Golf featured a speedometer and a clock, with an option for a tachometer. The upper trim levels and the GTI were available with a trip computer, either as an option or standard. In the back, the carmaker installed a folding rear bench to expand the trunk size. A 60/40 split-folding system was on the options list and standard for the GTI.

Under the hood, Volkswagen offered a small range of engines, either gasoline or diesel. An automatic transmission was available for specific versions.