The 2019 Volkswagen Golf finishes in the middle of our compact car rankings. It’s a good, fun-to-drive car with ample passenger and cargo space, but several rivals in this competitive class have more all-around appeal and better predicted reliability ratings.
The base 2019 Volkswagen Golf S features the MIB II infotainment system, VW Car-Net App-Connect, a 6.5-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and a USB port.
Available features include an 8-inch touch screen, a navigation system, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Fender premium stereo. The e-Golf has an available 9.2-inch infotainment touch screen that can be controlled with gestures, such as swiping your hand in order to view different items on the screen.
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer convenient smartphone integration, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit draws high praise. Available only in the Golf R and e-Golf, this innovative system replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch digital display. The infotainment system has a responsive screen and physical controls, though its graphics aren’t as crisp as some rivals’.
Golf Performance
Golf Engine: Capable Turbo Options
The 2019 VW Golf comes standard with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an eight-speed automatic is available.
The e-Golf pairs a lithium-ion battery with an electric motor to produce 134 horsepower. The high-performance Golf R has a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine that puts out 288 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed automatic is available. We review the Volkswagen Golf GTI separately.
The base engine is fine for daily driving. The Golf R is more muscular but also a lot more expensive.
Interior
- Heated Front Comfort Seats -inc: 8-way partial-power front seats, power recline and manual lumbar support
- 6-Way Driver Seat
- 6-Way Passenger Seat
- Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Front Cupholder
- Rear Cupholder
- Compass
- Valet Function
- Power Fuel Flap Locking Type
- Remote Releases -Inc: Power Fuel
- Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
- Distance Pacing w/Traffic Stop-Go
- Manual Air Conditioning
- HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts and Console Ducts
- Illuminated Locking Glove Box
- Driver Foot Rest
Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert, Metal-Look Door Panel Insert and Metal-Look Interior Accents- Full Cloth Headliner
- Leatherette Door Trim Insert
- Leather/Metal-Look Gear Shift Knob
- Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors w/Driver And Passenger Illumination
- Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage, Mini Overhead Console w/Storage, 3 12V DC Power Outlets and 1 AC Power Outlet
- Front And Rear Map Lights
- Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
- Carpet Floor Trim
- Cargo Area Concealed Storage
- Roll-Up Cargo Cover
- Cargo Space Lights
- Instrument Panel Covered Bin, Refrigerated/Cooled Box Located In The Glovebox, Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
- Delayed Accessory Power
- Systems Monitor
- Redundant Digital Speedometer
- Outside Temp Gauge
- Analog Display
- Manual Anti-Whiplash Adjustable Front Head Restraints and Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
- 2 Seatback Storage Pockets
- Seats w/Leatherette Back Material
- Immobilizer III Engine Immobilizer
- 3 12V DC Power Outlets
- Air Filtration
- 3 12V DC Power Outlets and 1 AC Power Outlet
Exterior
Wheels: 17″ Alloy
Tires: 17″ All-Season
Steel Spare Wheel
Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo
Clearcoat Paint
Express Open/Close Sliding And Tilting Glass 1st And 2nd Row Sunroof w/Power Sunshade
Body-Colored Front Bumper w/Chrome Bumper Insert
Body-Colored Rear Bumper w/Chrome Bumper Insert
Black Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
Body-Colored Door Handles
Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Manual Folding and Turn Signal Indicator
Fixed Rear Window w/Fixed Interval Wiper and Defroster
Light Tinted Glass
Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Jets
Fully Galvanized Steel Panels
Black Grille w/Chrome Accents
Liftgate Rear Cargo Access
Roof Rack Rails Only
LED Brakelights
Fully Automatic Projector Beam Led Low/High Beam Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Directionally Adaptive Auto High-Beam Headlamps w/Delay-Off