2020 Volkswagen Golf Review: End Of An Era
With over two million sold in the US since 2014, one would say the Volkswagen Golf is possibly a crowd favorite - and so it should be, since it's been around since 1974. As the halo hatchback in the VW collection, the Golf certainly generates high expectations from consumers and, for the most part, Volkswagen delivers. The 2020 Golf won't see many new additions though and it's down to just one trim level with no additional packages. We suspect this is VW's plan to make way for, and shift focus onto, the Golf 8 that's due to arrive at the end of the year, even if the Mk 8 will only be arriving in GTI and R forms. While we absolutely can't wait for the latest iteration, the new VW Golf pretty much stays the same as last year with some subtle upgrades, but key attributes like a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-pot delivering 147 horsepower remain.
What's the Price of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf?
The 2020 VW Golf is now only available in one trim and the only differentiation shown in the Golf range is the availability of either a manual or automatic transmission. The price of the Volkswagen Golf starts at an MSRP of $23,195 in manual guise, and opting for the automatic transmission will increase the price to $23,995. A destination fee of $920 is also applicable to all base prices; all quoted prices exclude licensing, registration and relevant taxes.
2020 Golf Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 167.6 in | 103.8 in | 58.2 in | 70.8 in | 61.0 in | 59.8 in | 2,963.0 lbs |
2020 Golf Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Volkswagen Golf hatchback is actually a pleasure to drive in the city or to the mall, and displays no noticeable faults, other than some wheezy behavior at top speeds. Comfort is a priority for the VW hatch and minor bumps are dealt with accordingly, though bigger bumps might have the ability to unsettle the hatch slightly. Sharp steering, nippy acceleration, and an ultimately engaging drive are the main goals of the Golf, and it delivers on each one, particularly with the manual transmission.
It is relatively chuckable around corners, though you can't expect zero body roll from it. Steering is a little on the numb side and can feel light when you're going for a short drive, but it stiffens up rather impressively at higher speeds and combines terrifically with sharper braking capabilities. The FWD setup doesn't provide as much grip as we'd like, but it keeps its composure relatively well when the going gets tough. Still, with competitors offering better handling abilities and more exciting chassis, this does take the attention away from the VW.
2020 Golf Interior
2020 Golf Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 7 Years / 100,000 Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 2 Years / 20,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 VW Golf A Good car?
The 2020 Golf is just as good as the 2019 Golf, and you know how much we liked that one.
It may put out modest power and be a little sluggish, but it still manages to be an engaging drive, especially when manual is opted for. The interior falls behind rivals in the segment, but as we said before, Volkswagen's focus is now on the Golf 8.
The Golf serves its purpose, is comfortable to drive, and will serve buyers well as a daily car for the commute to and from work. Perhaps it's worth waiting for the Golf 8 to be released, as it's likely to offer way more tech and probably more power. If you're still set on the 7, waiting for the Golf 8's release for a test drive before you purchase one might still be a viable option as this will drive the prices of the 7 down quite a bit.
What Volkswagen Golf Model Should I Buy?
With not many trims to choose from, the ultimate choice is between the manual and the automatic Golf. Personally, we'd opt for the manual Golf as it's just better to drive in terms of engagement and control and the auto tends to change gears too soon which limits the ability to have your own control of the car. You can also customize your golf by choosing an adventurous hue of paint for the hatch. A favorite of ours has to be Silk Blue, the metallic paint adds some extra sass to the VW and is available at no extra charge.
2020 Volkswagen Golf Comparisons
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs Honda Civic Hatchback
The Golf is $2,145 more expensive than the Civic's starting MSRP of $21,750 and there are quite a few differences between them. For starters, the Civic has better fuel efficiency with an EPA estimated 30/38/33 mpg from the FWD model meaning you get one extra gallon per mile in the Civic than you'd get in the Golf. Boasting more power than the Golf, the Civic has a power output of 174 hp, though the VW will give you some extra torque. The Civic also has a longer wheelbase and boasts more interior space, yet still manages to be a little lighter than the Golf. The Golf, however, is fitted with features not included in the Civic, namely Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot, although it misses out on the climate control and adaptive cruise control offered as standard by the Civic. The Civic's interior is more modern, it's got more trunk space, and those in the rear will enjoy the extra legroom. It's just a little better than the Golf, but in a lot of areas, and it adds up.
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs Mazda 3 Hatchback
We're comparing market-leading hatchbacks the Volkswagen Golf and the Mazda 3, (though the 3 is also available as a sedan model) and both are equipped with six-speed manual transmissions. Mazda makes it more difficult to get a manual, as the 3 Hatchback begins at $23,600 for an automatic-equipped base model, but the manual is only available in its top premium trim, making it a not-so-inexpensive $27,500 proposition. The Mazda is also less fuel-efficient than the Golf, though the Japanese car produces significantly more power than its German counterpart and offers more space thanks to its bigger size. However, the Mazda is slightly more expensive than the Golf at a base level and considering the Golf has just one premium trim to choose from, and the base level Mazda is already more expensive than the technically top-of-the-range VW, it's looking slightly more grim for the Mazda.
In terms of fuel efficiency and a more frugal purchase price, the Golf wins. But if you want more power and a better interior, the Mazda is the winner.