2016 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2017 Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and 2017 Volkswagen Golf contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf.
In comparing the 2016 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. The 2016 Volkswagen Golf and 2017 Volkswagen Golf have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the 2017 Volkswagen Golf.
Pricing: A used 2016 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $8,994 to $17,635 while a used 2017 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $10,495 to $19,996.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf both lose 34.5 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.8 out of 10. Volkswagen Golf is ranked 8 out of 43 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.2 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf makes 170 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 475 miles. This gives the 2016 Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The Golf uses gasoline, and the Golf uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$19,416
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,990 - $35,650
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,010
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,995 - $35,655
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,453
Price Range:
$8,994 - $17,635
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$13,577
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$10,035 - $24,151
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
63
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
87,538
# Good or Great Deals:
17
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$15,340
Price Range:
$10,495 - $19,996
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$15,337
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$8,833 - $26,195
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
68
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
82,757
# Good or Great Deals:
23
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2016 Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
2.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1 - 6.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2017 Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.1 - 7.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.6 - 9.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 14.4
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2016 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI, TSI S, TSI SE, TSI SEL
2017 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE, TSI SEL, TSI Wolfsburg Edition
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 37 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 36 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2901 lbs
Width:
70.5 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
167.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2963 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
167.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Pure White
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
