2020 Volkswagen Golf Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Golf gets few changes for the 2020 model year, which will almost certainly be the last for the seventh generation of this classic hatchback. Volkswagen debuted the eighth-generation Golf in the fall of 2019 and is selling it in other markets as a 2020 model. The all-new Golf, however, is not confirmed for sale in the United States, and with its manufacturing moved overseas, that’s looking less likely every day. VW does say that it will sell the eighth-gen GTI and Golf R models here, but if you want a base Golf, the only certain way to get one is to buy the 2020 model while it’s still around.
Fortunately, much of the desirability that makes the Golf historically popular remains in the seventh-generation car, which is on sale now. It’s sold in a single trim (TSI) as a four-door hatchback. The Golf TSI is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder rated at 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Two transmissions are available: an 8-speed paddle-shiftable automatic, or if you prefer rowing your own, there’s a 6-speed manual.
Standard features include full leather seating, heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof, and WiFi capability. Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system, and a reversing camera are also included. Every Golf comes with forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The Golf has always been respected for its versatility, and that remains in the 2020 model. It offers almost 53 cubic feet of cargo space with its 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks lowered, which is more than the also space-efficient Honda Civic Hatchback.
The Golf earns EPA estimates of 29 mpg city, 35 highway, and 33 combined when equipped with the automatic transmission and 28 city, 36 highway, and 31 combined when fitted with the manual, numbers that are on the low end of this fuel-economy-sensitive segment. Speaking of the compact hatchback segment, a number of rivals offer newer designs and potentially better value, depending on a buyer’s priorities. Buyers should also consider the Honda Civic Hatchback for its classic build quality and smart design, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback for its fuel efficiency, or the Hyundai Elantra GT for its 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Whether or not the next-generation Golf makes it stateside, the current version remains a very reasonable small car offering excellent space at a fair price.
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2020 Volkswagen Golf Pricing
Trims & specs
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 · USB auxiliary audio input · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.3 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.7 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: dual level cargo area · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.87
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: integrated exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 19 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net · Smart device app function: horn/light operation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer