Used 2019 Volkswagen Golf SEL for sale 

VW offers the Golf in two trims, namely, the 1.4T S and the 1.4T SE both which offer 6-speed manual and an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4T S with a 6 speed manual is priced at $21,845 and if you opt for the 8-speed Automatic, it will set you back with $22,945 for the same trim. The Golf 1.4T SE comes with a price tag of $24,145 for the manual and $25,245 for the automatic.

Recommendation

To really enjoy the drive of the Golf go for the SE trim with the standard manual transmission. Not only does it offer all features that make the drive pleasurable, but the stick shift will amuse with every drive.

The Volkswagen Golf has an inline four, 1.4L Turbocharged engine which spits out 147 HP of power and produces a class leading 184 ft-lbs of torque. The 1.4L unit feels refined, offers negligible turbo-lag and delivers the power seamlessly. Although the 1.4L feels puny the soundtrack is sweet and growls in the engine note tickles you at the right places.

Transmissions on offer include a 6 speed manual and an optional 8 speed automatic that coupled with the engine send the power to the front wheels. The new 8 speed automatic gearbox make the gear shifts on time and feel rather smooth. To make it even more exciting the 8-speed automatic gearbox also incorporates the paddle shifters which complement the sportiness of the engine.

The torque figures of the Golf is class leading, but the power may not be impressive when put up against its competition. The Honda Civic Hatch offers the best power figures among the competition.

Acceleration

Volkswagen assembles a 1.4L Turbo charged unit on the Golf that can get it from 0 to 60mph in a mere 7.6 seconds. That may not be fast but impressive, it does the quarter mile in 15.9 seconds. For a car of a price under $20,000, these achievements are certainly grand.

The Golf’s torque figures help it reach the speed of 60 MPH faster than any other car in its competition. However, due to the lack of power it falls a little short to cover the quarter mile when pitted against the Mini Cooper Clubman which secures the second spot in the quarter mile run. The Honda Civic Hatchback covers the quarter mile before its competition which makes it the fastest in the competition.

Braking

A car capable of generating great power needs equally capable brakes to contain it. With disc brakes on all four wheels the Golf comes to a halt in 129 ft from 60 MPH. Braking figures seem below average for the kind of performance it offers in acceleration, but the brakes offer good amount of bite.

Despite being the heaviest car here the Mini Cooper outshines the competition in this department. The Golf fails to impress and takes the longest distance to come to a complete stop. The Chevy Cruze Hatch and the Honda Civic Hatch take almost similar distance to come to a complete stop.

Ride and Handling

The Golf has garnered a reputation to have the best handling dynamics in its segment. It strikes the perfect balance between comfortable ride quality and sporty handling. The stability inspires confidence while sweeping corners. Only when you swerve left and suddenly all the way right you might feel a little body roll.

The steering is precise with good feedback which feels quite natural and intuitive. Like a perfect city car, the steering wheel feels light at low speeds, but as the needle climbs higher on the speedometer, the steering gains some heft.

The downgrade from the 1.8L engine from the previous generation Golf to the 1.4L is majorly to increase the fuel economy. The Golf now delivers 29 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. This amounts to a significant improvement in the figures in comparison to the previous Golf that gave a combined economy of 30 MPG.

The competition is stiff with all hot-hatches delivering similar fuel efficiency to each other. However, it is the Honda Civic Hatchback gives the best mileage of the lot while the Mini Cooper Clubman is left standing dead last.

The Golf follows the familiar styling that hasn’t changed much over the years except for the infotainment screen growing larger. The design is familiar with an 6.5-inch infotainment screen that is upgraded to an 8.0-inch system in the SE trim which sits in the center of the dashboard. The AC vents and the climate controls sit on top and bottom of the screen respectively. There is no cheap plastics materials used inside, the leather and the features exude a feel premium. The flat bottom steering feels premium to touch and gives it a sporty appeal. 

The front seats offer good comfort and hold you firmly once you sit in it. The roofline is high making it easy getting in and out of the car even using the rear doors. The legroom in the rear seats are a little low compared to its rivals.

None of the cars mentioned above have a lack of space. That being said the Mini has the most spacious cabin among the rivals. The Golf comes in at the second spot, so you can expect a good enough room inside.

Interior Features features include:

• Leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel
• 6-way partial power adjustable seats
• Adjustable lumbar support for the front seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest
• Manual tilt/telescopic Steering wheel
• Power operated side mirrors

Infotainment

Standard in the Golf is a 6.5 inch touchscreen infotainment system that still has the imprints of the VWG.

Opt for the top trim SE and sitting in the center console is an 8.0 inch touchscreen unit, with better colors and resolution. The features included in the infotainment system are:

• Volkswagen Car-Net App-Connect
• Bluetooth with audio streaming for compatible devices
• Rear view Camera system
• USB ports
• Built-in navigation System

Cargo Space

The Golf might look quite small on the outside, but don’t be deceived as it offers a large amount of cargo volume. In terms of cargo capacity it can incorporate storage of 22.8 cu.ft.

Which is enough for daily needs, weekly grocery shopping, and carrying the weekend luggage of a family quite comfortably. To increase the storage you can simply fold the rear bench to increase the cargo storage to a gigantic 53 cu. Ft.

​The Chevy Cruze and the VW Golf offer almost similar storage capacity, with the Honda Civic Hatch taking the lead here. The MINI offers the lowest cargo storage capacity among the lot.

The Golf is agood-looking car, yet quite understated with regard to the performance it packs. It weighs just 2873 lbs and measures 167.6 inches in length which makes it one of the lightest and shortest cars in the segment. The smart design makes it look small but on the inside it has the best passenger volume when it comes to premium hatchbacks. 

It sits hugging the ground with a distance of just 5.4inches. The low height makes it easy to corner and maneuver around, fit in tight spaces and easy to navigate in traffic. 

The Golf is the lightest and shortest among all the competitors. The Civic and the Cruze offer the highest and equal wheelbase, with the Clubman in the rearview. 

Exterior Features

The Golf comes with a host of standard features on the outside such as :

• Automatic Headlights
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• LED Tail lights
• 16 inch split-V alloy wheels
• Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
• Heated Rear view mirror

The 2019 model of the Golf receives a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, particularly because of the exterior design which can absorb collisions really well. This is the highest rating that the organization has to give. It gives us a good idea about the reliability and safety assurance of the Golf. It also has a few active safety features and assists to make the occupants as safe as they can be in the vehicle. 

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Anti Slip Differential
• Electronic Differential Lock
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
• Side curtain Protection Airbags ; Front and rear
• Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBS)
• Electronic Brake-Pressure Distribution System (EBD)
• Engine Brake Assist (EBA)

Volkswagen Golf vs Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The Corolla offers a bigger engine that delivers better power figures and better braking capability. Those are the only highlights of the Corolla. Now the Golf on the other hand comes out to be a better pick in other aspects. The Golf is much more compact, has more passenger volume, better 0 to 60 acceleration and quarter mile times. 

Considering that the price of both these vehicles are similar, the Golf has the leverage of best-in-class warranty coupled with a better fuel efficiency comes as a bonus

Volkswagen Golf vs Mini Cooper Clubman

The Mini comes with a small inline 3 mill setup as compared to the four pot setup in the Golf. Because of a smaller engine, the Mini develops lower power and torque figures compared to the Golf. In real time comparison, the Mini offers better cabin space, a longer wheelbase, a bigger cargo area, and better braking figures.

The Golf excels in mileage figures, 0 to 60 acceleration and maneuverability. Also, considering the fact that the Golf is almost four thousand dollars cheaper than the Mini. Adding the additional $4,000 paid for the base Mini, you can get the better equipped SE variant which has much better safety features than the base trim Mini Cooper Clubman.

The Volkswagen Golf just keeps getting better and better as it satisfies every petrol head who wants to keep it subtle in front of the family but when they’re not looking. The sound from that 1.4L turbochargedfour pot is really sweet and boy, does it handle like a dream.

With this car in the garage you wouldn’t need any other car. Probably it does not quite justify the performance of the GTI, but Golf’s performance will put a smile on your face every time, and you could still live with it daily.