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2017 Volkswagen Golf Review


2017 Volkswagen Golf has good performance features and it offers decent mileage but the competition is tough Honda Civic and Ford Focus offer similar features and performance for less which could be their selling point they are also longer than the golf so if you are a city dweller Volkswagen Golf is nice and compact vehicle for the job it\u2019s sensibly placed interior is nice and it\u2019s comfortable.

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf has some great performance features and it offers decent mileage but the competition is tough with Honda Civic and Ford Focus offering similar features and performance for less, which is their selling point. They are also longer than the golf so if you are a city dweller Volkswagen Golf is a compact vehicle for the job, it's sensibly placed interior is nice and it's comfortable.

The new Volkswagen Golf comes packed with some good technology, like proximity sensors, automatic charging for phones, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available in the infotainment system. The completely overhauled interior gives it a nice sense of modernity with a touch of technology. Volkswagen has changed the front and back bumpers LED and tail lights. Audi style indicators certainly give the new VW Golf a cooler feel than its predecessors.

Pricing and Features
6.0/10


The 2017 Volkswagen Golf comes in two trims, S and Wolfsburg, the S model is priced at $19,895 for the Wolfsburg model you have to spend $22,695 main difference being Wolfsburg includes automatic headlights and keyless access with push-button start. Both of the models include Halogen headlights with clear lightweight chip-resistant polycarbonate lenses and daytime running lights.

Trim

S

Wolfsburg

MSRP(manual)

$19,895

$22,695

(automatic)

$20,995

$21,595

Key Feature

Halogen headlights with clear, lightweight, chip-resistant polycarbonate lenses and Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Halogen headlights with clear, lightweight, chip-resistant polycarbonate lenses and Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

 

Climatic manual single-zone climate control with pollen filter

Automatic headlights

 

2 radio-frequency remote transmitter key fobs with lock, unlock, rear hatch release, and panic button for central locking

Climatic manual single-zone climate control with pollen filter

 

Composition Media touchscreen system with proximity sensor

2 radio-frequency remote transmitter key fobs with lock, unlock, rear hatch release, and panic button for central locking

 

SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a 3-month trial subscription

Keyless access with push-button start

   

Composition Media touchscreen system with proximity sensor

   

SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a 3-month trial subscription

We Recommend

If you don’t care for the automatic headlights and stuff like keyless access with the push-button start you'll be better off buying the S model and that is what we recommend. Saving you a few bucks is our priority and besides that, all the other features are standard in both of the models.

Engine and Performance
8.4/10


Entry-level Golf sports a 1.8L TSI DOHC engine which can produce up to 199 pound-feet of torque and 170hp of power, it comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Although this could be the only downer about this car, it performs really nicely. Volkswagen has really worked on its transmission. It handles small bumps really nicely and the overall ride feels smoother.

Models

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

MSRP

$19,895

$19,765

$19,700

$20,145

Engine

1.8L TSI DOHC 16V Turbocharged 4-cyl

2.0L I-4 GDI Ti-VCT

1.5L I-4 DOHC 16-Valve Turbocharged

2.0L SKYACTIV-G DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder

Transmission

5-speed manual

6-Speed Automatic

6-speed manual

6-speed automatic

Horsepower

170 hp

160 hp

174 hp

155 hp

Torque

199 lb-ft

146 lb-ft

167 lb-ft

150 lb-ft

Other cars in the class like Honda Civic offer a smaller 1.5L I-4 DOHC engine with 167 pound-feet of torque which is the best among the competition and doesn’t even come close to the 199 pound-feet offered by the compact hatchback. 

Other cars, Ford Focus and Mazda 3 both offer 2.0 L engines but can't perform as well as the Golf does, with only 146 pound-feet and 150 pound-feet of torque respectively. Even though both the cars offer 6-speed automatic transmission the performance isn't as good as you'd expect.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Acceleration

The Volkswagen Golf isn't very fast, it accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 7.8 sec and a quarter-mile in 15.7 sec. Despite the engine not being big, with 1.8 L we still expect Volkswagen to show some class, the emission is also the highest in class with 6.1 tons/year at 15K Miles/year.

Models

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

0-60 MPH

7.8 sec

7.6 sec

7.5 sec

8.4 sec

Quarter mile

15.7 sec

16.2 sec

15.5 sec

16.6 sec

Engine

1.8L

2.0L

1.5L

2.0L

Emission

(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)

6.1

5.7

5.4

5.7

In this department, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf isn’t even close to the leaders. To get from 0-60 MPH it takes 7.8 sec, which is third-best in \comparison to the vehicles in its class with only Mazda 3 performing worse with 8.4 seconds. Ford Focus and Honda Civic both sit at 7.6 seconds and 7.5 seconds respectively, and they also offer lesser emission per year with 5.7 and 5.4 tons/year at 15K Miles/year.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Braking

The Volkswagen Golf 2017 has 11.3-inch brakes on the front and 10.7 inches on the rear tires, which performs really well for the weight of the car. The curb weight of the car is 3023 pounds which is the heaviest in its class. The braking also improves the handling of the vehicle.

Model

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

Brake Front (in.)

11.3

10.9

11.1

11.0

Brake Rear (in.)

10.7

9.0

10.2

10.4

Curb Weight (lbs.)

3023

2,948

2,815

2940

60-0 MPH (ft.)

N/A

120

115

N/A

Other cars in the class have smaller brakes, Ford Focus has 10.9 inch and 9.0-inch brakes in the front and back, respectively. The Honda Civic has 11.1 inches and 10.2 inches, in the same manner. They both weigh 2,948 and 2,815 pounds respectively and come to a halt from 60 MPH in 120 and 115 feet respectively.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Ride and Handling

The drive is very comfortable, everything is well placed for the driver. The glove compartment has decent room and there are plenty of storage options for keys and phones, the car handles the curves with ease and brakes pretty well. Steering is a leisurely little circle to play around with. Although, Volkswagen hasn't changed much in terms of the engine and the feel of the ride is still very stable.

Fuel Economy
8.1/10


The 2017 Volkswagen Golf offers a mileage of 25 Miles per Gallon in the city and 36 Miles per Gallon on the highways and 29 Miles per gallon combined. It’s fine for a compact vehicle to have such mileage and we can't say we expected the competition to also have similar figures.

Model

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

MPG (city)

25

26

30

28

MPG (highway)

36

38

39

37

MPG (combined)

29

31

33

31

Comparing the fuel economy with other vehicles in the class Honda Civic offers the best mileage in the city with 30 Miles per gallon and 39 miles per gallon on the highway and 33 miles per gallon combined, thanks to Honda’s iV-Tec. Ford Focus and Mazda 3 have 26 and 28 miles per gallon in the city, respectively, and 31 each combined.

Interior
8.5/10


The Volkswagen Golf can easily accommodate 5 passengers with nice and comfortable seats. All driving positions are really well and are comfortably equipped with all the necessary components around the driver.

For the front row, there are two seats with a head clearance of 38.4inches, it isn't the best in the class but it"s comfortable, that's for sure. The Interior has a nice infotainment system, single-zone climate control, and a 12V power outlet in the back.

Model

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.4/55.9/41.2

38.3/55.6/41.9

39.3/57.0/42.3

38.6/57.2/42.2

Second

(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.1/53.9/35.6

37.9/53.7/33.2

37.4/55.0/36.0

37.6/54.4/35.8

Other cars in the class also feature similar dimensions with all of them having 5 passenger seats. The Honda Civic boasts the best Head, Shoulder, and Leg clearance for both front and back seats with 39.3, 57.0, and 42.3 inches for the front and 37.4, 55.0, and 36.0 in the back respectively.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Infotainment Features

Like all the other Volkswagen cars the Golf is no disappointment when it comes to the infotainment system. It gets a 6.5-inch touch screen infotainment system as standard, along with other basic features. The sound quality is good and it certainly keeps up with the segment. This system works flawlessly and responds well to inputs. 

  • 6.5-inch touch screen 
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • CD Player
  • HD Radio
  • MP3 Player
  • Satellite Radio
  • Smart Device Integration

2017 Volkswagen Golf Cargo volume

For such a compact car, it is the shortest in the class. Volkswagen Golf doesn't have the top cargo volume, but it certainly isn't bad for such a small car. Compared to others it has 22.8 cubic feet of storage space in the back, the low rise of the cargo hold makes it easy to put stuff in the back and the space is not cramped, so it's easy to put a lot of baggage easily in the back.

Model

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

Cargo Volume to rear seat up (ft.3)

22.8

23.8

25.7

20.2

Cargo Volume to rear seat folded (ft.3)

N/A

44.8

46.2

47.1

Other players who feature greater cargo volume than Volkswagen Golf are Ford Focus and Honda Civic with 23.8 and 25.7 cubic feet each. Only Mazda 3 has a minimal space of 20.2 cubic feet. You can fold your second-row seats to accommodate even greater cargo, with back seats folded you have 44.8 cubic feet of space in the Ford Focus and 46.2 and 47.1 in Honda Civic and Mazda 3, respectively.

Exterior
8.3/10


The shape of this Volkswagen hasn't changed much but the car has a few tweaks here and there. The front and back bumpers have been changed. There is a fake exhaust for the show.

The Volkswagen Golf is the shortest car in the class, with just 167.5 inches, and has a wheelbase of 103.8 inches, it looks nice but not too good.

Model

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Mazda 3

Curb weight (lbs.)

3023

2,948

2,815

2940

Length(in)

167.5

171.6

177.9

175.6

Width(in)

70.8

71.8

70.8

70.7

Height(in)

57.2

57.7

56.5

57.3

Ground clearance (in)

5.4

4.7

5.1

6.1

Wheelbase (in)

103.8

104.3

106.3

106.3

Track width (in) F/R

61.0/59.8

61.2/60.4

60.9/61.5

61.2/61.4

Compared to other exteriors in the class, Ford Focus is 171.6 inches long but has a curb weight of 2,948 pounds and a wheelbase of 104.3. Others put up similar statistics, Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are 177.9 and 175.6 inches long, respectively, and have a wheelbase of 106.3 each.

Safety
9.3/10


The new Volkswagen Golf comes packed with safety features so you can have peace of mind about your passengers when driving. It comes with an automatic door locking feature when the car is going above 8 miles per hour and automatically unlocks when airbags are deployed. 

Front seats have a thorax airbag supplemental restraint system, head airbags for front and rear, 3 point safety belts for all seats, child seat anchor points, ABS ( Anti-lock braking system ), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, and Hydraulic Brake Assist.

  • Automatic locking feature 
  • Driver and passenger front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint systems
  • Side Curtain Protection\xae head airbags, front, and rear
  • Front seat safety belt pretensioners with load limiters
  • 3-point safety belts for all seating positions; includes safety belt pretensioners for driver and front passenger
  • LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD)
  • Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)

Competition
8.0/10


Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf

The Ford Focus has a bigger engine with 2.0L of displacement but doesn't produce as much torque as the Volkswagen Golf with only 146 pound-feet and 160hp of power, priced at $19,765 it’s only $130 bucks cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf. It comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, so it isn’t a bad buy and it has quicker acceleration than the Volkswagen Golf. It’s also longer than the Volkswagen. So, whether you choose to buy it for the acceleration or you are planning to have $130 bucks is entirely up to you but it offers a tough competition to the Volkswagen Golf.

Honda Civic vs Volkswagen Golf

Priced at $19,700 the new Honda Civic Hatchback comes with a 1.5L turbocharged engine which delivers 167 pound-feet of torque and power of 174hp and with a 6-speed manual transmission. Honda Civic has the best acceleration in the class, only taking 7.5 seconds to go from 0-60 miles per hour, and has the least emission with 5.4 tons of CO2 per year at 15K Miles per year. It's also the longest car in the class, so it might be a little less comfortable driving it in the city limits.

Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Golf

Priced at $20,145 and offering a 2.0L DOHC 4-Cylinder engine the performance is not that impressive. The engine offers 150 pound-feet of torque and 155hp of power, with a 6-speed automatic transmission. But the new Mazda 3 Hatchback only offers an acceleration of 8.4 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour, it offers a mileage of only 31 miles per gallon in the city and highway combined. So it isn't up to mark when you compare it to the Volkswagen Golf.

Final Verdict


The 2017 Volkswagen Golf offers great value for money. It comes with one hoot of an engine in the tiniest of the package that you can imagine it in. Whether you choose to go with the manual or the automatic transmission you will be building speed effortlessly, passing long vehicles, even convoys while accelerating throughout the length. It has all the creature comforts to have you driving in comfort and your passengers to be seated in comfort.

The Volkswagen Golf is a nice and compact vehicle for the job. It's sensibly placed interior is nice and comfortable, all in all, there is tough competition in this class of the industry but Volkswagen Golf isn't a bad buy and if you are planning to buy one you would not be disappointed. Especially if you are a city dweller.