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2017 Volkswagen Golf

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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2017 TSI S 4-Door 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Hatchback
most popular
Price:   -  From $19,895
2017 TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4-Door 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $21,595
2017 TSI SE 4-Door 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $25,445
2017 TSI SEL 4-Door 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Hatchback Price:   -  From $27,995

Overview

If you love the idea of a smaller car with a big cargo area and a great reputation, the Volkswagen Golf may be the ideal vehicle for you. The Golf's upscale interior, ample safety features, fun-to-drive character, and fuel efficiency have earned it a popular reputation during its decades of service. For 2017, the Gulf sees a bit of a price drop due in large part to a consolidation of the lineup.

What's New for 2017

The big news for 2017 is the elimination of the two-door option and the consolidation of the lineup to just two choices, the base S trim and the more upscale Wolfsburg Edition. Gone are the SE, top of the line SEL, and Driver Assistance Packages.

The Golf comes standard with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, regardless of trim. VW paired the engine with a five-speed manual transmission as standard, but a six-speed automatic is available for an extra $1,100. The EPA ratings come in at 29 combined, which makes the Golf an economical choice.

Beyond basic safety features like antilock brakes, stability control, and traction control, Volkswagen added hill hold assist and a rearview camera as standard. The Wolfsburg Edition trim takes safety to the next level, adding forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert.

The base Golf S starts at $19,895 and the Wolfsburg Edition bumps the starting price up to $21,595.

Volkswagen Golf

Choosing Your Volkswagen Golf

Choosing your Golf has never been easier since VW retired the two-door version and reduced the lineup to two trim levels for the remaining the four-door model. Your only decision this year is choosing between the base S and the Wolfsburg edition.

Volkswagen Golf

S

The Golf S starts very well equipped for its price. Standard features include a rearview camera, heated mirrors, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and 15-inch wheels. A standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with AM/FM/.

A standard 6.5-inch touchscreen manages the Gulf's CD player, radio, and Bluetooth functions, and includes an SD memory card reader. Air conditioning, power windows, and an eight-way, partially powered, adjustable seats up the convenience and comfort of the Golf S.

The S starts at $19,895 and there are no optional packages available, but owners can add plenty of accessories. A ski sac will set you back $282, a bike holder attachment kit runs $537, and chrome exhaust tips are priced at $105.

Volkswagen Golf

Wolfsburg Edition

The Wolfsburg Edition includes everything the S trim has and adds keyless access with push-button start, 16-inch alloy wheels, and automatic headlights and wipers. V-Tex leatherette upholstery replaces the standard cloth seating, and the front seats are heated. A sunroof also comes standard.

Most of the Wolfsburg's appeal comes in the safety category – the range-topping model adds forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert coming as standard equipment.

The Wolfsburg Edition starts at $21,595. Again, no optional packages are available, but the top-end Golf shares the accessories catalog with the base model.

CarsDirect Tip

If you're looking for the cheapest Golf possible, the S will certainly fit the bill and offers some great features at a reasonable price. However, the Wolfsburg's upgraded interior and more advanced safety features are worth the $1,700 price premium.

Get your price on a Volkswagen Golf »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

The Volkswagen Golf is a subcompact four-door hatchback, available in two trims. Premium interior materials give this model a “class above” feel, while the turbocharged engine delivers healthy performance on demand.

Pricing and Equipment

The front-wheel drive 2017 Volkswagen Golf starts at $20,720 (including $825 for destination) for the S grade. Also available is a Wolfsburg grade costing $22,420. Owners can replace the standard five-speed manual for a six-speed automatic for $1,100. The S model is where most shoppers will begin their search, finding the following amenities:

  • A touchscreen infotainment
  • 8-speaker sound system with satellite radio, CD player, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatability
  • Glove compartment with adjustable cooling
  • Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (automatic only)
  • Heated, power-operated side mirrors
  • Rearview camera
  • Automatic post-collision braking system

No packages are available with either of the two trims, except for a $1,550 sunroof option for the Wolfsburg grade. There are, however, the usual array of dealer-installed accessories.

A 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque is the lone engine available. You have a choice between five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions. This model makes 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The Golf serves as the foundation for an entire family of products. Volkswagen offers two high-performance versions of its five-door hatchback – the beloved GTI and all-wheel-drive Golf R – a versatile Sportwagen, a high-riding Alltrack wagon, and the all-electric e-Golf. All are listed separately.

Performance Pros

Volkswagen Golf
  • The turbocharged four-cylinder allows even the cheapest Golf to hold its own in a straight. Abundant low-end torque means a nippy character at low speeds.
  • The sprint to 60 miles per hour time will come in below eight seconds, which is faster than most other base engines in this class.
  • The Golf’s five-speed manual is antiquated in the land of six-speed manuals, but its clutch is light and precise and the gates are easy to access, rewarding the driver with every shift.

Performance Cons

  • The Golf does an admirable job of balancing comfort with sport, but when it comes to hanging the corners, it's outclassed by the Ford Focus and Mazda 3.
  • 36 miles per gallon on the highway Golf is competitive, but the days of ultra-efficient diesel-powered Golfs is over.

Interior Pros

  • Comfortable and supportive front seats mark every model. Choose the standard cloth trim.
  • The Golf's cabin offers a premium look and feel at a mainstream price, making it a standout in this affordable class.
  • Cargo space is generous, measuring 22.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat. Fold down the second-row seat and you have access to 52.7 cubic feet. And if you really need more, the Golf Sportwagen (listed separately) isn't a huge leap in price.

Interior Cons

Volkswagen Golf
  • You can’t find leather upholstery, period. The available imitation leather isn’t convincing.
  • The base Golf S model seems spartan compared to what most competitors are offering. The Wolfsburg justifies its premium with keyless entry, larger wheels, and driver assist features.
  • A 6.5-inch touchscreen is standard and seems small. That said, the graphics are especially sharp and the large virtual buttons are useful.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

Who needs navigation with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink to pull up directions from your connected smartphone?

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Volkswagen quietly discontinued the two-door Golf hatchback in 2017, citing declining customer demand. Three-door hatch fans are still in mourning.

The Bottom Line

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf offers fewer trim choices than the competition now that the Wolfsburg edition replaced the previously available SE and SEL grades. What’s left is a hatchback that’s no slacker, delivering a tidy package with few upgrades available.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 1.8L I-4 / 170 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Available: 1.8L I-4 / 170 HP / 199 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 5-spd man w/OD
Available: 6-spd Tiptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 1.8L I-4 / 170 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Available: 1.8L I-4 / 170 HP / 199 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$50
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
52.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
93 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
167.5 "
Exterior Width
70.8 "
Exterior Height
57.2 "
Front Headroom
38.4 "
Rear Headroom
38.1 "
Front Legroom
41.2 "
Rear Legroom
35.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,963 Lbs. / 3,023 Lbs.
Wheel Base
104 "
Turning Radius
17.9 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way (2-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way (2-way Power)
Front Armrests
6-way (2-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
8
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Climatic
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Front Assist W/autonomous Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Monitor Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer Iii
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
144 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2017 Volkswagen Golf for Sale

2 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Volkswagen
TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4-Door
Color: Gray
Price

$13,999

Mileage

61,403 mi

Map location icon

Royal Auto Dealer (38 mi)

Phone: (626) 262-9494
Volkswagen
TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4-Door
Color: Silver
Price

$14,697

Mileage

73,123 mi

Map location icon

Cerritos Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM (18 mi)

Phone: (855) 760-0460

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Volkswagen
S Hatchback Sedan 4D
Color: Silver
Price

$10,999

Mileage

104,249 mi

Map location icon

San Clemente Auto Gallery (57 mi)

Phone: (949) 388-6050
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