4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
SE 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
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4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 8A)
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Overall Rating
People loved the small wonder from Germany because it was compact, powerful and most importantly fun to drive.
The Golf was Volkswagen's life changing car. It started as a replacement for the Beetle in 1974 which later went on to become Volkswagen’s best selling model. It crossed the 30 million mark in June 2013. People loved the small wonder from Germany because it was compact, powerful and most importantly fun to drive. It has one of the most timeless designs. Look at a Mk 1 Golf and “outdated” would be the last word that comes to mind.
Volkswagen has scraped off the two trims available for the Golf. It has been replaced by a well equipped “Value Edition”, which forms the base of the whole Golf line-up. All the highlighting features of the outgoing variants have made its way into the new singular one. As it is equipped with all the latest gizmos, there are no complaints whatsoever.
S 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 6M)
S 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
S 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
S 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
S 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
People loved the small wonder from Germany because it was compact, powerful and most importantly fun to drive.
The Golf was Volkswagen's life changing car. It started as a replacement for the Beetle in 1974 which later went on to become Volkswagen’s best selling model. It crossed the 30 million mark in June 2013. People loved the small wonder from Germany because it was compact, powerful and most importantly fun to drive. It has one of the most timeless designs. Look at a Mk 1 Golf and “outdated” would be the last word that comes to mind.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf has been mildly refreshed with the addition of new technology and the next generation of in-car telematics system. The S and SE trims that were previously available have been scrapped for a single “Value Edition” Trim for 2020.
Trim |
Golf TSI |
---|---|
MSRP (M/T) (FWD) |
$23,195 |
MSRP (A/T) (FWD) | $23,995 |
Key Features |
6.5-inch glass Touchscreen Display |
Keyless access with push-button start |
|
SiriusXM All Access |
|
VW Car-Net Security |
|
Adaptive Cruise Control |
|
Rear Traffic Alert |
|
60/40 Split-folding rear seats |
|
Automatic Post Collision Braking System |
|
Seven Stability-enhancing Systems |
Which trim to go for?
Volkswagen has scraped off the two trims available for the Golf. It has been replaced by a well equipped “Value Edition”, which forms the base of the whole Golf line-up. All the highlighting features of the outgoing variants have made its way into the new singular one. As it is equipped with all the latest gizmos, there are no complaints whatsoever.
The Golf is powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine that produces a decent amount of power. The power is transferred to the front wheels via a 6-speed transmission which distributes the power evenly across the rev-band.
Talking of specs, the 1.4L engine produces 147 horses and 184-pound feet of torque. This power will be transferred to the front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed Automatic Transmission. The automatic transmission is an $1100 option which incorporates paddle shifters for seamless crisp transition through gears.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra (GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$23,195 |
$21,650 |
$21,380 |
$22,290 |
Engine |
1.4L Turbo Inline-4 |
1.5L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
Transmission |
6-speed Manual |
6-speed Manual |
6-speed Auto with SHIFTRONIC |
6-Speed Manual with OVERDRIVE |
Power |
147hp@5,000rpm |
174hp@6,000rpm |
161hp@6,200rpm |
169hp@6,600rpm |
Torque |
184lb-ft@1,400rpm |
162lb-ft@1,700rpm |
150lb-ft@4,700rpm |
15lb-ft@4,400rpm |
*2019 figures used for reference purpose
With 147 horses and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Golf is not the fastest of the lot. But with the smallest engine of 1.4L, the difference in weight helps it get an edge over its competition. The 2020 Honda Civic is the most powerful of the lot with 174hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf propels from standstill to 60 in 7.6 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 15.9 seconds. For a car with less weight for performance, these figures are impressive. Out on the road, there is enough grunt at all instances for performing that odd overtake in the city or on the highway.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra(GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
7.6 sec |
8.2 sec |
9.0 sec |
8.3 sec |
Quarter Mile |
15.9 sec |
14.7 sec |
16.8 sec |
16.4 sec |
Top Speed | 139 MPH | 125 MPH | 116 MPH | 112 MPH |
Engine |
1.4L Turbo Inline-4 |
1.5L Turbo Inline-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
The Golf is the quickest of the lot thanks to its least curb weight and clever structural engineering. None of its competition cross the 8-second mark as well which makes the Volkswagen a pretty quick car.
The Volkswagen Golf has always been a swift handler. Its quick and nimble character is its triumph card. The small footprint with precise steering and a suspension setup towards the stiffer side, makes the Golf feel like a Go-Kart. The redesigned MQB Architecture improves the structural rigidity thus providing a much-planted ride. Body roll is very well contained and stability on the road is impressive for a vehicle of this kind.
The ride may feel stiff overall but when doing city speeds, the Golf surprises with its ride. It's not harsh or overly stiff and the bumps or undulations on the road are very well absorbed by the Golf's suspension.
The Golf is equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels. The rotors at the front and the rear are of above-average dimensions which should help in providing optimum stopping force. While the numbers may suggest otherwise, the braking performance of the Golf, won't disappoint you out on the open road. Nosedive is well contained and the pedals feel sure-footed at all times.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra(GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Rotors Front |
11.3" |
11.1" |
11.0" |
11.5" |
Brake Rotors Rear |
10.7" |
10.2" |
10.3" |
10.5" |
Curb Weight |
2873 lbs |
2901 lbs |
3040 lbs |
3060 lbs |
60-0 MPH (ft) |
129 ft |
115 ft(est.) |
119 ft |
125 ft |
The Volkswagen Golf has the least powerful brakes of the lot as it takes the longest to come to a halt. The Honda has the most powerful brakes with a 60-0 stopping distance of 115 feet. In spite of weighing the least, the Volkswagen Golf doesn't have an advantage over the others.
With a combined MPG of 34, The Golf provides a pretty good fuel economy. Volkswagen had earlier degraded from the thirsty 1.8L power plant with the sole purpose of increasing fuel economy. It gives an MPG of 29 in cities and a generous 37 on the highway.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra (GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
29 |
31 |
25 |
28 |
MPG (Highway) |
37 |
40 |
32 |
37 |
MPG (Combined) |
34 |
34 |
27 |
33 |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gallons | 12.4 gallons | 14.0 gallons | 13.2 gallons |
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) | 382/462/448 miles | 359/434/396 miles | 350/448/378 miles | 369/488/409 miles |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr) |
5.5* |
5.3 |
6.8* |
5.7* |
The Golf has finally caught up with the Honda Civic which provides the best MPG of the lot. With a combined MPG of 34, the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic go neck in neck as the class leaders. But given the fact that the civic weighs more and even produces more power, it clearly has the class-leading fuel economy.
The interior of the Golf is pretty much the same with the exact same dimensions and seating from the 2019 model. It actually is a small car from the outside at 167.6 inches in length. But clever space management provides a spacious interior. According to Volkswagen, the biggest update is on the inside as they have opted for a digital evolution. They quote that the only analog part on the inside is the steering wheel!
The Golf provides a well-built interior that has good bits and the materials used make it feel premium. The addition of leather seats, heated front seats, and an updated 6.5-inch infotainment system makes the interior a comfortable place to be in.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra (GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.4/55.9/41.2 |
39.3/56.9/42/3 |
39.1/56.2/42.2 |
38.4/53.9/42.0 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.1/53.9/35.6 |
37.4/55.0/36.0 |
38.5/55.4/34.8 |
37.6/54.5/29.9 |
Comparing it to its rivals, you will be happy to see that the Golf, can now stand head-to-head with all the other popular cars in the segment. The Golf manages to especially shine on the rear passenger front as it is bundled with plenty of room there. Overall though, it's still the Honda Civic that beats all others in this segment, owing to Honda's "Man Maximum Machine Minimum" design philosophy.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf is equipped with an updated 6.5-inch infotainment system that supports both Apple car play and Android Auto. The interface is slick to use for the most part and sunlight legibility is decent as well. The buttons fall into hands easily and have been well-positioned as well. Here is a list of the other features of the infotainment system
VW had thoroughly updated the Golf for its latest avatar and courtesy of that, you have a lot of features on the inside, to add to your conveniences. Here is a list of few of the most notable features on the inside
In spite of being handicapped in size, the Golf surprisingly provides 22.8 cubic feet of luggage space which isn’t bad at all. The split-folding rear seats, adds to the cargo area for when the need for carrying extra luggage arises.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra (GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Capacity |
22.8 cu.ft. |
25.7 cu.ft. |
24.9 cu.ft. |
17.8 cu.ft. |
The Honda Civic has the largest luggage space with 25.7 cubic feet followed closely by the Hyundai Elantra with 24.9. The Golf comes in third followed by the Toyota Corolla.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf is pretty much the same with a few minor modifications. The basic two-box design connects it to its predecessors all the way to the Mk 1 which saved Volkswagen from bankruptcy. The car has become sharper with a new set of 16-inch wheels and a redesigned set of headlamps.
At 167.6 inches, the Golf is the shortest car off the lot. The design has mostly been carried forward from the last iteration with a few aesthetic updates. This means that the overall dimensions remain the same. It is a low slung car at 5.4 inches which helps in the driving dynamics. The overall construction of the car instills confidence to attack corners at more speeds. With a tweaked MQB platform, it has improved the overall rigidity of the vehicle.
Models |
Volkswagen Golf |
Honda Civic Hatchback(LX) |
Hyundai Elantra (GT)* |
Toyota Corolla (SE) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight |
2873 lbs |
2901 lbs |
3040 lbs |
3060 lbs |
Length |
167.6" |
177.9" |
170.9" |
172.0" |
Width |
70.8" |
70.8" |
70.7" |
70.5" |
Height |
58.2" |
56.5" |
57.7" |
57.1" |
Ground Clearance |
5.4" |
5.1" |
5.9" |
5.1" |
Wheelbase |
103.8" |
106.3" |
104.3" |
103.9" |
On the weight front, the new Golf has shed a lot of weight off its back in this new generation. That helps its cause in the handling and the efficiency figures. The ground clearance is comparable as well to others and is bigger than some of the rivals.
There are plenty of features on offer in the new VW Golf that will keep the eys of onlookers, hooked on to the car. Here is a list of few of the most notable features
Due to the rising concerns regarding the safety of car passengers. Volkswagen has made its intentions clear for improving the same and hence made some enhancements to the safety features on offer in the 2020 Golf. The 2020 Volkswagen Golf comes with all the life-saving gizmos. Volkswagen has now made all safety features standard which were earlier optional. IIHS and NHTSA are yet to rate the 2020 model and we will update this section, once we get a hold of the same.
The Honda Civic provides more cargo space and much more interior space for comfortable travel. But the Golf provides more performance and is the quicker of the two to 60mph. It even handles much better as compared to the Civic due to its rigid chassis and stiffer suspension. Considering the similar price range of the two, the Golf provides more bang for the buck value.
With a 2L engine, the Elantra sure provides much more power. But this comes in at a loss of handling and acceleration. Because of the added weight, the Elantra is actually the slowest of the lot and gives the poorest MPG. All of this along with a premium price tag does not make it a strong case against the well rounded Golf.
The Toyota Corolla has more power than the golf. But the extra power comes at the cost of a heavier ride which fiddles with the driving dynamics. This makes it a very poor handler when compared to the nimble Volkswagen Golf. It has the least luggage volume which takes practicality off of it. This along with being costlier than the Golf makes it the least preferable of the lot.
The Volkswagen Golf has had the perfect blend of power, handling, and comfort which has kept it afloat for over 45 years! Golf is fun to drive, practical and comfortable. It has a balanced power to comfort character which is hard to come by in any of its competitors thus giving it an edge. So the Volkswagen Golf is the one to go if you want the best of both worlds.