Vehicle Ratings & Specifications - Volkswagen Golf

Consumer Reports expert ratings & specifications are based on 40 different tests conducted at a state-of-the art 325 acre test track...

Overview
Tested Model The model year, trimline, bodystyle, engine, and transmission of the version that we tested. Tested Model	Subscribe to see Volkswagen Golf details
Tires as tested The tire size and model that were on the vehicle that we tested. Tires as tested	Subscribe to see tire details
Owner Satisfaction Indicates percentage of owners surveyed who would definitely purchase the same vehicle again. Owner Satisfaction	Subscribe to see owner satisfaction ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Predicted Reliability Predicted reliability is our forecast of how well a model is likely to hold up derived from our latest Annual Car Reliability Survey. We averaged a model's Used Car Verdict for the newest three years, provided the model did not change significantly during that time. Refer to Reliability History for more detailed explanation. Predicted Reliability	Subscribe to see predicted reliability ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Owner Costs The costs of owning a car continue long after you leave the dealership and can vary greatly from car to car. They include depreciation, interest, sales tax, insurance, fuel, and maintenance and repair costs. Our owner cost ratings are estimates to help you compare how expensive vehicles will be over the first 5 years. Owner Costs	Subscribe to see owner cost ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Safety
Antilock brakes Antilock brake systems prevent the wheels from locking during panic stops, and ensures directional stability under hard braking. Availability refers to the availability of four-wheel systems only. Antilock brakes	Subscribe to see antilock brake details for the Volkswagen Golf
Traction control Traction control helps maintain traction on slippery conditions. Traction control	Subscribe to see traction control details for the Volkswagen Golf
Stability control Stability control helps prevent skidding sideways and can prevent a rollover. Stability control	Subscribe to see stability control details for the Volkswagen Golf
Daytime running lights Daytime running lights (DRL) is a system that runs the low-beam headlights at reduced intensity during the day for safety. Daytime running lights	Subscribe to see daytime running light details for the Volkswagen Golf
Tire pressure monitor Tire pressure monitor notifies the driver if a tire pressure is low. Tire pressure monitor	Subscribe to see tire pressure monitor details for the Volkswagen Golf
Safety belts The center-rear belt is either a lap belt or, better, a 3-point belt. Pretensioners front and rear work instantly to take up slack in the seatbelt during a front crash. They help to keep occupants in the optimal position prior to air-bag deployment. Safety belts	Subscribe to see safety belt details for the Volkswagen Golf
Center-rear belt It is the type of belt used in the center-rear seat. A 3-point belt is the safest type, and almost all new vehicles use it. Some vehicles still use a lap belt. Center-rear belt
Pretensioners, front/rear Pretensioners front and rear work instantly to take up slack in the seatbelt during a frontal crash. They help to keep occupants in the optimal position prior to air-bag deployment. Pretensioners, front/rear
Air bags Some vehicles have an occupant-sensing device that turns off the front or side air bags if the occupant is below a set weight or leans against a door. More vehicles offer side air bags as well as head-protection bags (typically side curtain air bags). An accident alert system calls for help if the air bags deloy in a crash. Air bags	Subscribe to see airbag details for the Volkswagen Golf
Occupant-sensing system A device that turns off the front or side air bags if the occupant is below a set weight or leans against a door. Occupant-sensing system
Side bags, front/rear Side air bags in the front and rear protect the occupant's torso from an impact from the side. Side bags, front/rear
Side curtain air bags Head-protection air bags (typically side curtain air bags) protect the occupants head from an impact from the side. Side curtain air bags
Accident alert system An accident alert system calls for help if an air bag deploys in a crash. Accident alert system
Crash and rollover tests	Subscribe to see crash and rollover tests ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
IIHS offset-crash test Offset-crash scores are based on offset-frontal tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), funded by the auto-insurance industry. This test runs a vehicle's left front into a deformable barrier at 40 mph. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. IIHS offset-crash test
IIHS side-crash test with side airbags The IIHS side-crash test simulates a vehicle being hit in the side by an SUV or pickup truck at 31 mph. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested, with or without side- and head-curtain air bags, or in cases where data is available, with both scores. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. IIHS side-crash test with side airbags
IIHS side-crash test without side air bags The IIHS side-crash test simulates a vehicle being hit in the side by an SUV or pickup truck at 31 mph. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested, with or without side- and head-curtain air bags, or in cases where data is available, with both scores. The IIHS rates vehicles as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. IIHS side-crash test without side air bags
Gov't front-crash test, driver Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government front scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The front-crash test simulates a head-on, full-frontal crash with an identical vehicle. Scores are assigned to the driver and the front passenger. Gov't front-crash test, driver
Gov't front-crash test, front pass. Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government front scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The front-crash test simulates a head-on, full-frontal crash with an identical vehicle. Scores are assigned to the driver and the front passenger. Gov't front-crash test, front pass.
Gov't side-crash test, driver Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government side scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The side-crash test simulates a car traveling at 17 mph being hit from the side at 34 mph. Scores are provided for the driver and the left rear-seat passenger. Gov't side-crash test, driver
Gov't side-crash test, rear pass. Crash-test scores are the latest applicable for models currently on sale. Government side scores come from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The side-crash test simulates a car traveling at 17 mph being hit from the side at 34 mph. Scores are provided for the driver and the left rear-seat passenger. Gov't side-crash test, rear pass.
Gov't rollover test, 2WD Government Rollover test score denotes the risk of a rollover and is based on a static measurement of a vehicle's track width and center of gravity, and a dynamic rollover test which puts vehicles through a handling course simulating a driver overcorrecting when avoiding an object in the road. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested. Some vehicles will have scores for both two- and four- or all-wheel-drive models. Vehicles that lifted two wheels during the test have their scores marked with an asterisk (*). Key for Rollover ratings: Risk less than 10% Risk between 10% and 20% Risk between 20% and 30% Risk between 30% and 40% Risk greater than 40% Gov't rollover test, 2WD
Gov't rollover test, 4WD Government Rollover test score denotes the risk of a rollover and is based on a static measurement of a vehicle's track width and center of gravity, and a dynamic rollover test which puts vehicles through a handling course simulating a driver overcorrecting when avoiding an object in the road. Results are listed for vehicles as they are tested. Some vehicles will have scores for both two- and four- or all-wheel-drive models. Vehicles that lifted two wheels during the test have their scores marked with an asterisk (*). Key for Rollover ratings: Risk less than 10% Risk between 10% and 20% Risk between 20% and 30% Risk between 30% and 40% Risk greater than 40% Gov't rollover test, 4WD
Performance
Acceleration Acceleration runs are made from a standstill with engine idling, except for the 45- and 65-mph passing test. Acceleration	Subscribe to see acceleration ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
0 to 30 mph, sec.
0 to 60 mph, sec.
45 to 65 mph, sec.
Quarter-mile, sec
Quarter-mile, mph
Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions. Transmission	Subscribe to see transmission ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
RPM at 60 mph The engine speed when cruising in high gear at 60mph. RPM at 60 mph
Routine handling Routine handling judgment reflects how agile the vehicle is on the road by the amount of body lean and steering response. Also reflects turning circle. Routine handling	Subscribe to see routine handling ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Emergency handling Emergency handling judgment reflects how the vehicle performed when pushed to its limits on the track and in our emergency-avoidance maneuver. Emergency handling	Subscribe to see emergency handling ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Avoidance maneuver, max speed The avoidance-maneuver speed indicates the maximum speed at which a vehicle successfully negotiated the course. Avoidance maneuver, max speed
Braking The braking judgement is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances, resistance to fade, as well as pedal feel and directional stability. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked. Braking	Subscribe to see braking ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Braking from 60 mph dry, ft.
Braking from 60 mph wet, ft.
Comfort/convenience
Ride The ride comfort judgment is determined by how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces including highway and rough roads. Ride	Subscribe to see ride ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Noise Noise judgment is a composite of several instrumented measurements as well as subjective evaluation in normal driving. Noise	Subscribe to see noise ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Driving position Driving position indicates how well drivers of various heights are situated in relation to the controls and their visibility. Driving position	Subscribe to see driving position ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Front seat comfort Front seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers. Front seat comfort	Subscribe to see front seat comfort ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Front shoulder room, in Front shoulder room is measured from door panel to door panel across the front passengers seating position. Front shoulder room, in
Front leg room, in Front leg room is the maximum distance from the heel of the tester's accelerator foot to the seatback. Front leg room, in
Front head room, in Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head. Front head room, in
Rear seat comfort Rear seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers. It is done with both two and three passengers across. Rear seat comfort	Subscribe to see rear seat comfort ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Rear shoulder room, in Rear shoulder room is measured from door panel to door panel across the rear passengers seating position. Rear shoulder room, in
Rear fore-aft room, in Rear fore-and-aft room is the horizontal distance between the rear and front seatback, with front leg room set at 40 inches. Rear fore-aft room, in
Rear head room, in Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head. Rear head room, in
Third seat comfort Third seat comfort is determined by a jury evaluation of various sized testers. Third seat comfort	Subscribe to see third seat comfort ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Third seat shoulder room, in Third seat shoulder room is measured wall to wall across the third seat passengers seating position. Third seat shoulder room, in
Third seat fore-aft room, in Third fore-and-aft room is the horizontal distance between the third and rear seatbacks. Third seat fore-aft room, in
Third seat head room, in Head room is the clearance above a 5-foot 9-inch tester's head. Third seat head room, in
Front access Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin. Front access	Subscribe to see front access ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Rear access Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin. Rear access	Subscribe to see rear access ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Third access Access indicates the how easy it is to enter and exit the cabin. Third access	Subscribe to see third access ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Controls and display Controls and displays are judged by their clarity and intuitiveness. Controls and display	Subscribe to see controls and display ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Interior fit and finish Fit and Finish is an evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship. Interior fit and finish	Subscribe to see interior fit and finish ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunks are judged by the amount of luggage they can accommodate. Cargo room for wagons, minivans, and SUVs is determined by the volume of the largest expandable pipe-frame box that can be enclosed. Trunk/Cargo Area	Subscribe to see trunk/cargo area ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Luggage/cargo capacity, cu. ft. Cargo volume (for minivans, wagons, and SUVs) is the volume of a pipeframe "box" that is expanded until it just fits the cargo area through the rear opening. No volume is given for pickups because there is no height limit. Luggage capacity (for sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and convertibles) indicates the number of large suitcases and smaller duffel bags that can fit in a car's trunk. Luggage/cargo capacity, cu. ft.
Climate system	Subscribe to see climate system ratings for the Volkswagen Golf
Fuel Economy
CR's overall mileage, mpg CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation, highway cruising, and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving. CR's overall mileage, mpg	Subscribe to see overall mileage, mpg data for the Volkswagen Golf
CR's city/highway, mpg Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation and highway cruising. CR's city/highway, mpg	Subscribe to see CR's city/highway, mpg data for the Volkswagen Golf
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg Measured fuel usage on CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving. CR's 150-mile trip, mpg	Subscribe to see CR's 150-mile trip, mpg data for the Volkswagen Golf
Annual fuel Annual fuel is the cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage, figuring fuel cost at $3.80 per gallon for regular, $4.00 for premium, and $4.10 for diesel. Both annual cost and amount of fuel are rounded to the nearest 5. Annual fuel	Subscribe to see annual fuel data for the Volkswagen Golf
Cruising range, mi. Cruising range is the distance that can be covered on a full tank of fuel, using the fuel mileage recorded on our 150-mile trip of mixed driving. Cruising range, mi.	Subscribe to see cruising range, mi. data for the Volkswagen Golf
Fuel capacity, gal. The number of gallons hold in a full tank of gas. Fuel capacity, gal.	Subscribe to see fuel capacity, gal. data for the Volkswagen Golf
Fuel type Fuel type notes the grade the manufacturer recommends for this tested model's engine or a typical engine. Fuel type	Subscribe to see fuel type data for the Volkswagen Golf
EPA city, mpg The EPA city mileage is an estimate from the Government's Environmental Protection Agency for the tested model or a typical model in city driving. EPA city, mpg	Subscribe to see EPA city, mpg data for the Volkswagen Golf
EPA highway, mpg The EPA highway mileage is an estimate from the Government's Environmental Protection Agency for the tested model or a typical model in highway driving. EPA highway, mpg	Subscribe to see EPA highway, mpg data for the Volkswagen Golf
Specifications
Length, in. Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer. Length, in.	Subscribe to see length, in. for the Volkswagen Golf
Width, in. Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer. Width, in.	Subscribe to see width, in. for the Volkswagen Golf
Height, in. Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer. Height, in.	Subscribe to see height, in. for the Volkswagen Golf
Wheelbase, in. Dimensions are as specified by the manufacturer. Wheelbase, in.	Subscribe to see wheelbase, in. for the Volkswagen Golf
Turning circle, ft. Turning circle is the bumper clearance needed to make a U-turn; a 35- to 40-foot diameter lets you turn around in a two-lane road. Turning circle, ft.	Subscribe to see turning circle, ft. for the Volkswagen Golf
Road clearance, in. Ground clearance, measured to the nearest half-inch, is based on a fully loaded car. Road clearance, in.	Subscribe to see road clearance, in. for the Volkswagen Golf
Curb weight, lb. Curb weight is our measurement without people or cargo. Curb weight, lb.	Subscribe to see curb weight, lb. for the Volkswagen Golf
Percent weight, front/rear Percent front/rear shows the vehicle's weight distribution. Percent weight, front/rear	Subscribe to see percent weight, front/rear for the Volkswagen Golf
Max. load, lb. Maximum load includes occupants and luggage, and is as specified by the manufacturer or calculated from the difference between the manufacturer's specified gross vehicle weight and our test vehicle weight. Max. load, lb.	Subscribe to see max. load, lb. for the Volkswagen Golf
Typical Towing capacity, lb. Typical towing ability is for a commonly equipped vehicle. Some models offer a towing package that increases this ability, while some cars aren't recommended for towing. ("NR" means towing is not recommended.) Typical Towing capacity, lb.	Subscribe to see typical Towing capacity, lb. for the Volkswagen Golf
Warranty
Basic	Subscribe to see basic warranty details for the Volkswagen Golf
Powertrain	Subscribe to see powertrain warranty details for the Volkswagen Golf
Rust through	Subscribe to see rust through warranty details for the Volkswagen Golf
Roadside aid	Subscribe to see roadside aid warranty details for the Volkswagen Golf

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Vehicle Ratings & Specifications - Volkswagen Golf