2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2019 Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf and 2019 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 2018 Volkswagen Golf and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf.
When comparing the 2018 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars and base engine power. The 2019 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The 2018 Volkswagen Golf and 2019 Volkswagen Golf have the same overall quality score Based on this comparison of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $9,997 to $19,990 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $10,426 to $20,532.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf both lose 41.7 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.1 out of 10. Volkswagen Golf is ranked 14 out of 37 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 7.9 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. This gives the 2019 Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Volkswagen Golf. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more cargo space. The 2019 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of cargo space.
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:
20910
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
20571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14395 - 39785
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
21845
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14795 - 40395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15511
Price Range:
9997 - 19990
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15390
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8856 - 27909
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71059
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
16041
Price Range:
10426 - 20532
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
17470
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
10157 - 31336
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
21
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
59542
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 11.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.133
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2019 Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.8 - 12.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.133
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.3676493062442265
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.9 - 13.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.799025556136334
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.0 - 12.6
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
32 out of / 37Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
32 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE
2019 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
S, SE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 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):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 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 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 37 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
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
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
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
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
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:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 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:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2873 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 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
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Pure White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
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
