When it comes to the 2011 Volkswagen Golf, buyers considering the hatchback have two choices: two doors or four, and gasoline or diesel fuel. Answering both will help greatly in narrowing your choices for the German automaker's smallest U.S. offering.
Starting from the inside, the 2011 Golf has one of the best interiors in its class, with standard cruise control, an AM/FM/CD stereo system, and eight-way adjustable front seats. Reviewers note that the materials used for the headliner, seats, and even the plastics resemble those of the more upmarket Audi. Prospective owners can ramp up the volume with a Dynaudio stereo system, in-dash navigation, and a power sunroof as available options.
While buyers can choose among 2011 Volkswagen Golfs with two doors or four, the interior isn't changed, so keep that in mind if space is a concern. The backseat is more comfortable than competitors', evidenced by the fact that storage space in the trunk is 12 cubic feet, but 46 if the split rear seats are folded. That 34-cubic-foot difference makes finding legroom a bit easier.
The biggest decision buyers will have to make is for the engine. Options are a 140-horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine and a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that provides 170 horsepower. Those numbers are misleading, however, because the diesel engine provides more low-end torque, which makes for spirited city driving.
Economy numbers are better for the diesel-powered TDI, too, with a 30/41 mpg rating versus 23/30 for the gasoline engine. The TDI comes with a six-speed manual transmission standard, with the paddle-shifting DSG automatic an available option. The base gasoline engine comes with a five-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic.
It's not just the engine that separates the 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI and the 2.5L. The TDI comes with a better stereo that features a 6-CD changer and touch-screen and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with buttons for the cruise control. The trim also has a sportier suspension, as well as Bluetooth connectivity that is optional in the 2.5L model. The rear seat offers pass-through options and a center armrest.
Optional for both trims is a a cold-weather package with heated front seats and washer nozzles. Both trims come with a number of safety features, including six airbags (two front, two side, and two side curtain) and three-point seat belts, even for the middle passenger. Buyers who opt for the four-door 2011 Volkswagen Golf have the option of rear side impact airbags.
The feeling of quality that many reviewers note inside the Golf is also present on the road. Numerous tests dedicate space to the good steering feel of the Golf, and it feels planted in corners. Road noise isn't much of a factor, especially for the TDI, which is more quiet than other compact hatchbacks at highway speeds.
I’ve had this issue for the past couple of days where I can turn my car on and the car shifts into gears completely fine, however when I put it in drive and put the accelerator down the car isn’t put into gear and will not move, I don’t know whether it’s the gearbox that’s faulty or something else. Mines a mk6 golf match edition DSG
my dash is not illuminating during day light making it hard to see any advice please
Alpharetta, GA to Boulder, CO
My car loses power when I accelerate. I have noticed this when entering the motorway on a slight downhill on the slip road. I have run a diagnostic test with a code reader and nothing appears? It doesn't lose power fully, but enough to make me immediately slow down. Any ideas what this could be?
Replaced engine. Car starts, idles for few seconds normal idle and then dies. What could cause this? Volkswagen cannot fix it.
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: power passenger · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Easy entry: power passenger · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 3 total · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: one-touch
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Navigation wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 3 total · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: one-touch
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Navigation wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse