Used 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Not all German cars are crazy expensive. The 2020 Volkswagen Golf compact hatchback still has the unmistakable engineering and understated-yet-functional styling of many high-dollar European marques, along with high-quality cabin materials. But it’s also affordable, practical and fairly economical. The GTI version even has plenty of driver appeal.

Even so, getting into a new Golf is going to require a little more cash than an entry-level Honda Civic, Mazda3 or Subaru Impreza. The unstoppable marches of time and fashion are other factors moving against the Golf. This year is the last of the seventh generation. Volkswagen has shrunk the range, intending to add more crossover SUVs to its portfolio. For now, though, the Golf remains an excellent car.

Composed, predictable, safe, refined, comfortable, easy. Seven generations of refinement and evolution bring the 2020 Golf TSI to this state of automotive grace.

For the one driver in a hundred (our guesstimate) who prefers a stick shift, the manual transmission’s shift action is sweet and light. The automatic is also just fine and much preferable to all the continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) used by the competition.

The VW Golf GTI is a standout machine. The perfect amount of power for this side of a racing circuit’s gates, ideal handling/ride balance, plus all the quality and practicality of the regular Golf.

The thrills are so accessible. A mechanical limited-slip differential enhances the GTI’s ability to transition from one corner to the next, while the same strong braking system from the now-discontinued (but more powerful) Golf R provides confidence-inspiring stopping power.

The VW Golf displays every good reason why hatchbacks are such a great idea. Although occupying a compact footprint, it offers 35.6 inches of rear legroom (easily enough for an adult of average size), a squared-off roofline for maximum practicality (none of that wannabe-coupe nonsense) and a total cargo area of 52.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat. Or 22.8 cubic feet of just “trunk” space.

The front part of the cabin is impressive in its own way. The first noticeable thing is the quality of the soft-touch plastics. The second might be the excellent ergonomics, with function bringing a tidy style yet with some classiness attached.

A 6.5-inch infotainment touch screen is standard in the 2020 Golf TSI and in the S trim of the GTI. The SE GTI has an 8-inch display as standard.

Volkswagen has been extremely clever with its Golf over the generations. It’s never been flashy or polarizing, but has always worn the years well. So even though the Mark Seven model is reaching its end, it doesn’t look outdated.

The GTI has a few dedicated design cues with a few choices of alloy wheels (sized at 18 inches, as opposed to the regular TSI’s 16-inch alloys), a red stripe across the grille, and dual exhaust outlets. The GTI also rides about half an inch lower than the TSI model.

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES
Every VW Golf has forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

EXCELLENT WARRANTY
This bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts six years or 72,000 miles (the common coverage is five years/60,000 miles) and is also transferable if the vehicle is sold before the limits are reached.

Now there’s only one trim for the regular 2020 Volkswagen Golf, the amount of equipment is higher compared with last year’s entry-level model. VW Car Net (bringing remote lock/unlock, scheduled maintenance reminders and a few other helpful functions) and Wi-Fi are now part of the deal if a buyer signs up for a subscription.

Other highlights are keyless entry/ignition, heated front seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated windshield-washer nozzles, and rain-sensing wipers. The standard infotainment setup consists of a 6.5-inch touch screen, 6-speaker audio system, AM/FM radio, USB input, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink smartphone connectivity.

Also included are driver aids such as Front Assist (see our Safety Features section below) and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2020 GTI has the more powerful engine, a sportier suspension, upgraded brakes and various extra performance-related items.

There’s really only one option for the 2020 Golf TSI, the 8-speed automatic transmission. Most other extras are offered in the top SE version of the 2020 GTI.

These include an adaptive suspension, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, self-dimming rearview mirror, 8-speaker Fender-branded audio system, navigation, and a brace of assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, self-steer parking, lane keeping, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. The $4,300 Autobahn package covers pretty much everything.

A turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is the motivating force in the 2020 Golf TSI. It makes 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That first figure is a touch underwhelming, but the second is pretty healthy.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while an 8-speed automatic is optional.

No wonder the GTI is a big-selling Golf. It has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder generating 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission here is also a 6-speed manual, while the automatic option is a 7-speed dual-clutch automated unit (known as “DSG” in VW-land).

All 2020 Golf variants deploy front-wheel drive.

By the way, “TSI” stands for Turbocharged Stratified Injection, which describes the method of delivering the air/fuel mixture into the cylinders.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Golf TSI)
147 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/35 mpg (automatic), 28/36 mpg (manual)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GTI)
228 horsepower @ 4,700 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg (manual and automatic)