2019 Volkswagen Golf Review: Back to Basics
The Volkswagen Golf is a benchmark within the compact hatchback segment and is one of the oldest in the game, too - having established its popularity alongside the time-honored Honda Civic, it has been met by newer rivals such as the Mazda 3 along the way since then. The 2019 model year brings to an end the seventh Golf generation originally introduced in 2014, with an all-new eighth-gen iteration due for 2020. This year's Golf is powered by a smaller 1.4-liter turbo four-pot engine with outputs of 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque which are directed to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. While many know the Golf for its hot GTI sister, the standard one is a little lacking in gusto. But that doesn't mean it can't hold its own, and a lively chassis, exceptional steering, high levels of specification, and impressive practicality prove time and time again why the Golf is, and always will be, the benchmark of this segment.
What's the Price of the 2019 Volkswagen Golf?
Buyers can get their hands on the base model Golf S at a low MSRP of $21,845; the Golf SE comes in at a little more with an MSRP of $24,145. That is excluding Volkswagen's destination and freight charge of $895 as well as any tax, registration, and licensing fees. Optioning on the available eight-speed automatic transmission for any of the models will cost an additional $1,100.
2019 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 |
2019 Golf Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
With the VW Golf, driving around town on a day to day basis is a joy - its powertrain performs smoothly and consistently which along with its soft ride quality makes for an all-day comfortable drive. While most imperfect road surfaces are dealt with reasonably well, with the Golf gliding smoothly over anything minor, more prominently broken surfaces and typical undulations do contort and vibrate the cabin more notably, but still only to a slight degree. Overall, ride comfort is decent from the VW Golf, but that's not what the hatch is truly about; its peppy turbo engine, compact dimensions, and impressive steering accord it with some of the segment's most enjoyable driving dynamics.
It imparts a sporty feel to the driver that inspires enthusiastic jaunts; it's nimble around town and impressively poised when thrown around sweeping corners - it remains firmly planted to the tarmac at any speed and body roll is kept to a reasonable minimum, regardless of the hatch's softly sprung suspension. The Golf's steering responses are impeccable too, they're always instant and accurate and while the weighting is light at low speeds, it tightens up slightly for added control at higher speeds. The brake pedal is rather sensitive though, with initial input to the brakes being met with a somewhat aggressive bite. From there stopping power only increases incrementally so modulating the brakes can be a chore.
2019 Golf Interior
2019 Golf Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
6 Years / 72,000 Miles | 6 Years / 72,000 Miles | 7 Years / 100,000 Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf A Good car?
Along with being a great driver's car, the VW Golf is also a suitable daily driver. It's fun to drive and has just the right level of capability to allow for some occasional back-road antics. Yet at the same time, it offers all the right features in infotainment, comfort, convenience, and safety to make it a suitable daily commuter for a small family. The cabin is comfortable overall, and the cargo area is as useful and practical as any top hatchback can offer. Both the NHTSA and IIHS accorded the Golf with exceptional safety ratings and the model now comes standard with a decent selection of advanced driver assists. It's also one of the few remaining hatchbacks that come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox featured throughout the lineup, which is something any purist would appreciate, and as for the available eight-speed automatic, though not perfect, it's one of the more refined automatic transmissions out there. The VW Golf has always been a quintessential all-rounder, but with an all-new Golf generation in the works for the 2020 model year, we'd suggest holding off for a little while before making a purchase, as in its seventh iteration, rivals have become as good as, if not better than the people's compact.
What Volkswagen Golf Model Should I Buy?
The top-spec Golf SE isn't much more expensive than the base-spec Golf S and its specification levels are much improved. It also comes with availability to an optional Driver Assistance Package, which the base model doesn't. The package includes a lane-keep assist system, adaptive cruise control, and some other upgrades that make it well-worth including with the SE. We also recommend sticking with the six-speed manual gearbox as it fits the Golf's driver-centric impetus by adding to the levels of driver engagement. It also gives the driver more control over the engine's power delivery, is more refined than the automatic option, and just as fuel-efficient too.
2019 Volkswagen Golf Comparisons
2019 Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen GTI ups the ante on performance, bringing a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with outputs of 228 hp and 258 lb-ft to the playing field - subsequently enhancing the hatch's straight-line performance, which - along with its already apt handling - initiate it to the hot-hatch arena. It's certainly the more driver-focused vehicle, while the six-speed manual gearbox is still standard with the GTI, there's a refined seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox optional which performs far better than the standard Golf's automatic option. The GTI is, however, a little less fuel-efficient. The GTI carries a far sportier aesthetic as well, and is equally as specced as the standard Golf in tech and features. The standard Golf comes with more driver-assist features at the base level, though, but the GTI gets a self-parking system that the standard Golf does not. The GTI is around $6,000 more than the standard Golf but is well worth the premium price, especially for those who love driving.
2019 Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Jetta
The VW Jetta is cheaper than the Golf, with a lineup starting MSRP of $18,745. It's equipped with the same powertrain as the Golf, but performs slightly more efficiently with gas mileage estimates of 30/40/34 mpg. It's slower though, and the Jetta's handling dynamics have nothing on the compact Golf. The Golf's interior carries a higher-quality impression than the Jetta's and there's a whole lot more practicality offered by the Golf too, with the Jetta only offering 14.1 cu.-ft of trunk space. The Golf comes far better specced with driver-assist features at the standard level as well, but the Jetta gets a lot more feature options overall that the Golf doesn't get, including a higher-grade infotainment setup, dual-zone automatic climate control, and genuine leather upholstery. At the base level, there's certainly more value found in the Golf, but as one moves up the trim ladder of the Jetta, its value quickly surpasses that of the Golf. The Jetta has the potential to be the more premium package, but the Golf is the better driver's car and better all-rounder overall.