Volkswagen Golf
Pros and cons of the Volkswagen Golf
- New engine and new transmissions
- Many new tech features
- More power for GTI
- Manual transmission not available with performance models
- Small centre console
- GTI now burns premium gasoline
Safety ratings of the Volkswagen Golf
Safety ratings provided by NHTSA
- Number of airbags6
Specifications of the Volkswagen Golf
Key specifications available across all trim levels- Seats5
- Doors3 - 5
- Fuel typeGas or Diesel
- TransmissionAutomatic or Manual
- City consumption7.5 - 9.4 L/100km
- Highway consumption5.2 - 6.7 L/100km
- Width1790 - 1799 mm
- Length4268 mm
- Trunk space578 - 580 L
- Cargo space1337 - 1340 L
Trims available with the Volkswagen Golf
What is a trim? Trims are different options of the same car with different features and equipment. The specs depend on the trim you choose.This version of the Volkswagen Golf 2015 - present is available in 4 trims:Trendline trim features and specs
Available with the Trendline trim:
- Front seats electrically adjustable (optional)
- Heated front seats (optional)
- Leather steering wheel (optional)
- Multifunction steering wheel (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Driver seat has lumbar support
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Passenger seat has lumbar support
- Power steering
- Rear seat ski hatch
Available with the Trendline trim:
- Fog lights (optional)
- LED daytime running lights (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Alloy wheels
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the Trendline trim:
- Dusk sensor
- Rain sensor (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the Trendline trim:
- Android Auto (optional)
- Apple CarPlay (optional)
- Cruise control (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Digital cockpit
- Hill start assist (optional)
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
- USB port for front passengers
Comfortline trim features and specs
Available with the Comfortline trim:
- 2 climate zones (optional)
- Air conditioning (automatic) (optional)
- Front seats electrically adjustable
- Heated front seats
- Leather steering wheel
- Multifunction steering wheel
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Driver seat has lumbar support
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Passenger seat has lumbar support
- Power steering
- Rear seat ski hatch
Available with the Comfortline trim:
- Adaptive bending lights (optional)
- Bi-Xenon headlights (optional)
- Cornering lights (optional)
- Fog lights (optional)
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED daytime running lights (optional)
- LED headlights (optional)
- Sunroof (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Alloy wheels
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the Comfortline trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Dimming interior mirror (optional)
- Dusk sensor (optional)
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors (optional)
- Rain sensor (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the Comfortline trim:
- Adaptive cruise control (optional)
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic parking (optional)
- Cruise control
- Front sensors (optional)
- Keyless entry
- Navigation system (optional)
- Start stop system (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Digital cockpit
- Hill start assist (optional)
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
- USB port for front passengers
Execline trim features and specs
Available with the Execline trim:
- 2 climate zones
- Air conditioning (automatic)
- Front seats electrically adjustable
- Heated front seats
- Leather steering wheel
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Sport seats in the front
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Driver seat has lumbar support
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Passenger seat has lumbar support
- Power steering
- Rear seat ski hatch
Available with the Execline trim:
- Adaptive bending lights
- Cornering lights
- Fog lights
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED daytime running lights
- LED headlights
- Sunroof
Available across all trims:
- Alloy wheels
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the Execline trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Dimming interior mirror
- Dusk sensor
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors
- Rain sensor
- Tire pressure indicator
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the Execline trim:
- Adaptive cruise control (optional)
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic parking (optional)
- Cruise control
- Front sensors (optional)
- Keyless entry
- Navigation system
- Start stop system (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Digital cockpit
- Hill start assist (optional)
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
- USB port for front passengers
Highline trim features and specs
Available with the Highline trim:
- 2 climate zones
- Air conditioning (automatic)
- Front seats electrically adjustable
- Heated front seats
- Leather steering wheel
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Sport seats in the front (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Driver seat has lumbar support
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Passenger seat has lumbar support
- Power steering
- Rear seat ski hatch
Available with the Highline trim:
- Adaptive bending lights (optional)
- Bi-Xenon headlights (optional)
- Cornering lights (optional)
- Fog lights
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED daytime running lights (optional)
- LED headlights (optional)
- Sunroof
Available across all trims:
- Alloy wheels
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the Highline trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Dimming interior mirror
- Dusk sensor
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors (optional)
- Rain sensor
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the Highline trim:
- Adaptive cruise control (optional)
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic parking (optional)
- Cruise control
- Front sensors (optional)
- Keyless entry
- Navigation system (optional)
- Start stop system (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Digital cockpit
- Hill start assist (optional)
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
- USB port for front passengers
Overview of the Volkswagen Golf
Learn about the Volkswagen GolfSummary
The Volkswagen(VW) Golf is a great choice if you’re in the market for a practical, spacious and fun family car. For something with a bit of extra kick, take a look at the more powerful Golf GTI. Its precision handling gives the car the agile feel that European cars are known for. Most Golfs come with either a five or six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. With newer models, seven and eight-speed transmissions are also available. Keep in mind, while regular fuel is fine for most VW vehicles, the GTI’s turbocharged 2 L four-cylinder engine only takes premium fuel.
Safety
The Golf offers a wealth of standard safety features across model years, including front and side airbags and a remote central locking system. Also included is electronic stability control, which helps you to stay in control of your vehicle by preventing a loss of traction. A variety of other extras are available with newer models from 2013 or upgraded trim levels, including:
- Intelligent Crash Response System, which disables the fuel pump, turns on the hazard lights and unlocks the doors in the event of a collision
- Blind Spot Detection with Rear Traffic Alert to assist while changing lanes and reversing
- Adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance between you and other vehicles in traffic
Interior
Most Golf, Golf GTIs, and Golf Rs come with a black interior, though beige and clark cloth (Volkswagen's signature plaid upholstery) are options depending on the model. Low-end trims are available in cloth, mid-range trims in leatherette and high-end trims in leather. Some drivers have found Golf’s centre console somewhat small, but the size do vary. A variety of other options are available in models from 2012, such as:
- Heated front seats
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Footwell lighting
Technology
New and used Volkswagen Golf models pack-in an impressive amount of modern technology. Most standard newer models, such as the 2016 edition, include an onboard trip computer, App-Connect smartphone integration and a 5 to 6.5-inch touchscreen radio. Buyers can choose to upgrade the radio to 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with proximity sensor, CD player, SiriusXM satellite radio and voice control. Other technological add-ons include:
- Rearview camera, providing an easy view of things in your backing path
- Park assist to help back into tight parking spaces
- KESSY, which provides a push-button start and keyless access to the vehicle
Earlier Golfs from 2006 come standard with basic features like a CD player and tilt and telescoping steering to adjust to your preference. They also have power accessories, which enable you to control locks, mirrors and windows electronically.
Space
Despite being a smaller car, the Golf’s hatchback style ensure there is space for all your passengers and cargo. Rear seats that fold down and a movable floor that you can raise or lower means that carrying those larger loads should be no problem. For those planning on regularly having a full car, we recommend choosing the five-door model over the three-door.
Comfort
Even the base model Golf is known for its tight handling and responsive turbocharged engine. These qualities become even more pronounced in the GTI and Golf R, which add features such as sport suspension and all-wheel drive. In the interior, the driver and front-seat passenger enjoy many of the best comforts. For example, eight-way adjustable front seats with power recline, which comes standard with newer models from 2018.
Frequently asked questions about the Volkswagen Golf
Yes. The Volkswagen Golf R comes in both automatic and manual. Most Volkswagen vehicles are available with the option of a manual or automatic transmission.
The Golf R has All-Wheel Drive. For most practical purposes, this is the same as 4WD—all four wheels provide power to enhance traction while driving.
The Golf GTI is a more powerful version of the regular Golf. It also offers a broader range of high-tech features and comforts.
Between 2014 and 2019, the Golf was manufactured in Puebla, Mexico. Beginning in 2019, all new Golf’s will be made at the company’s factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.
When first introduced in North America, the Golf was known as the Volkswagen Rabbit. The 2019 Golf GTI harkens back to this history with a special Rabbit edition. Additional features include edition-exclusive wheels, carpets and seats.