2016 Volkswagen Golf Reviews, Ratings, Prices - Consumer Reports

GREEN CHOICE The EPA has certified this vehicle as among the 20 percent lowest-emitting passenger vehicles for its model year, based on government greenhouse gas and smog ratings. The EPA has certified this vehicle as among the 20 percent lowest-emitting passenger vehicles for its model year, based on government greenhouse gas and smog ratings. 2016 Used 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Volkswagen Golf EPA MPG: 29 mpg Owner Reported MPG: EPA MPG: 29 mpg Owner Reported MPG: RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More. There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More. RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More. There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More. Shift your car buying experience See how your top choices measure up on the features that matter most to you. Become a Member Sign In Overall Reliability Reliability Details Owner Satisfaction Details See All Ratings & Specs Road Test

Right from the first door thunk, the Volkswagen Golf exudes a quality feel not found in your average econobox. The Golf has long been a cut above other small cars, being more fun to drive and finished like a more expensive German sedan.

2016 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car 0 100 0 - 100

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

Ford C-MAX

Ford C-MAX

Honda Civic

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Honda Fit

Honda Fit

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good IIHS Side Crash Good NHTSA Overall Crash NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash NHTSA Overall Side-Crash See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year. Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year. 2000 NA 2001 NA 2002 NA 2003 NA 2004 NA 2005 NA 2006 NA 2007 2008 2009 2010 NA 2011 NA 2012 NA 2013 2014 NA 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 NA 2021 NA 2022 NA 2023 2024 2025 Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling / 100 Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride / 100 Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid? Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid? / 100 View all Owner Satisfaction

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good IIHS Side Crash Good NHTSA Overall Crash NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash NHTSA Overall Side-Crash See All Ratings & Specs

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good IIHS Side Crash Good NHTSA Overall Crash NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash NHTSA Overall Side-Crash See All Ratings & Specs

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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2016 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2016 Volkswagen Golf $5,725 - $15,525 EPA MPG 29 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Chevrolet Cruze $4,450 - $6,900 EPA MPG 34 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Chevrolet Sonic $5,225 - $7,100 EPA MPG 29 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Chevrolet Spark $4,375 - $5,150 EPA MPG 35 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Chevrolet Volt $6,225 - $7,325 53 miles 42 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Dodge Dart $5,150 - $6,925 EPA MPG 27 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Fiat 500L $3,425 - $6,300 EPA MPG 27 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Ford C-MAX $7,100 - $7,500 EPA MPG 39 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Ford Fiesta $3,725 - $7,525 EPA MPG 31 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Honda CR-Z $10,175 - $11,575 EPA MPG 33 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Honda Civic $8,900 - $12,425 EPA MPG 35 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Honda Fit $8,800 - $9,900 EPA MPG 34 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Hyundai Accent $4,750 - $4,925 EPA MPG 31 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Hyundai Elantra $5,625 - $6,675 EPA MPG 31 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT $ NA EPA MPG 27 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Kia Forte $5,150 - $8,175 EPA MPG 29 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Kia Rio $4,375 - $6,075 EPA MPG 31 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Mazda 3 $7,125 - $10,200 EPA MPG 33 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer $5,450 - $7,700 EPA MPG 25 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage $ NA EPA MPG 40 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Nissan Sentra $4,800 - $5,750 EPA MPG 32 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Nissan Versa $4,025 - $5,250 EPA MPG 33 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Nissan Versa Note $3,750 - $5,300 EPA MPG 34 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Scion iA $7,925 EPA MPG 37 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Scion iM $9,425 EPA MPG 31 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Scion tC $9,150 - $9,450 EPA MPG 26 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Smart ForTwo $3,825 - $4,900 EPA MPG 36 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Subaru Impreza $6,700 - $10,325 EPA MPG 30 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Toyota Corolla $8,625 - $11,000 EPA MPG 32 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Toyota Prius $11,275 EPA MPG 52 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Toyota Prius C $8,700 - $9,625 EPA MPG 50 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Toyota Prius V $11,425 EPA MPG 42 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Toyota Yaris $6,425 - $9,375 EPA MPG 32 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Volkswagen Beetle $8,425 - $17,250 EPA MPG 28 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen $ NA EPA MPG NA Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction 2016 Volkswagen Jetta $6,000 - $9,825 EPA MPG 32 mpg Road test Reliability Owner Satisfaction See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings Features & Specs Body Style

2-door hatchback 4-door hatchback

Seating 2 front, 3 rear Drive Wheels AWD, Front Engines Available

• electric (115 hp)
• 1.8-liter 4 turbo (170 hp)
• 2-liter 4 turbo (292 hp)

Transmissions Available

• 6-speed automatic
• 6-speed sequential
• 1-speed direct
• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual

Cargo Volume

• Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Warranty Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties See All Ratings & Specs Model History 2022 2022 Redesign Year

The 2022 redesigned Volkswagen Golf is available in a single top performance R with a 315-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and all-wheel drive. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional. Volkswagen builds on the long-running tradition of elevating a mild hatchback into a fun-to-drive, yet sophisticated, practical alternative to sports coupes. The Golf R is once again a special model tailored to a Volkswagen enthusiast that craves power, refinement, and exclusivity. The Golf upgrades connectivity and infotainment to the latest from Volkswagen. The interior comes with a large 10-inch infotainment screen. Active safety features such as FCW, AEB, BSW, LKA, RCTW, and ACC are standard.

More 2015-2021 2015 Redesign Year

Redesigned for the 2015 model year, the coarse and antiquated five-cylinder powering the previous Golf is replaced by a smoother, more refined 170-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo, which delivers 28 mpg overall. Soft-touch materials, quality components and comfortably supportive seats upgrade the passenger experience considerably. A wagon and a high-performance AWD Golf R were also added to the lineup. While choosing between models is largely a budget decision, we do recommend finding a car with the optional lighting package as the HID headlights perform much better than the standard halogens. You'll need to get at least an S w/Sunroof for this package. Note: Volkswagen suspended sales of 2016 TDI diesel versions of the Beetle, Golf, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, and Passat; as well as the Audi A3, due to the EPA notification of emissions violations. USB ports were finally added for 2016 as well as available keyless access and push-button start. The Alltrack, an AWD wagon with a raised ride height, was new for 2017. A 1.4-liter engine became standard in 2019, as did forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot warning.

More 2010-2014 2010 Redesign Year

After a brief stint during which it was once again known as the Rabbit, the Golf returned with an impressive 2010 redesign. We got 38 mpg overall from the diesel. (But it may not meet emissions regulations. Be cautious when purchasing a used TDI). Interior quality improved and the car had responsive handling, supportive front seats, and a good ride. Stability control, traction control, antilock brakes and brake assist are standard.

More 1999-2006 1999 Redesign Year

The Golf was redesigned for 1999, and became quieter and more comfortable, with a higher-quality interior. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine was introduced a year later. A fuel-sipping turbodiesel four cylinder is also available. The R32, a V6-powered AWD model, arrived for 2004.

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