2020 Volkswagen Golf

History / Overview

The Golf is Volkswagen's compact hatchback model, and one of the brand's best-known nameplates. This may be the last year for the seventh-generation Golf in Canada; a redesigned eighth-gen model has been confirmed and will probably go on sale in sometime in 2020.

The high-performance GTI is covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.

What's New / Key Changes from Last Year

For the 2020 model year, the Golf drops its top-end Execline trim. Entry-level cars gain a new touchscreen infotainment interface, and the uplevel Highline adds standard navigation. Golf's optional active safety suite gains a lane assist function.

Available Trims

Volkswagen offers the 2020 Golf in Comfortline and Highline trims. Both use a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder engine, which can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic.

Standard Features

Golf Comfortline's standard convenience and connectivity kit comprises an electric parking brake, cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, 6-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, heated front seats with power recline and manual lumbar, air conditioning, leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel, and reading lights front and rear.

The Golf's exterior is dressed up with auto on/off headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, 15-inch alloy wheels and tires, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, and heated washer nozzles.

Standard safety features include tire pressure monitoring and rain-sensing wipers.

Highline trim adds fog lamps with static cornering lights, passive keyless entry with push-button start, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, navigation, satellite radio, 16-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette door trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and leatherette seating.

Key Options

Golf options are limited to an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) package for the Highline trim, which comprises forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and lane keeping assist.

Fuel Economy

Volkswagen's fuel consumption estimates for the Golf are 8.1/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 8-speed automatic transmission, and 8.4/6.6 with the 6-speed manual.

Competition

Volkswagen pits the Golf against an ever-dwindling class of small hatchbacks. Its remaining competitors are the Honda Civic, Hyundai's Elantra GT, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Kia's Forte, the Mazda3 Sport, and Subaru's Impreza.