As someone buying a used car, I'm grateful to have found a good review of the base model 2020 vw golf. Countless reviews of higher trims but only one base model review I found. Thank you! Also, I ordered the car this morning and just now found this video. I'm stoked.
I love how he assumes car buyers are all addicted to the junkiest of junk foods...or should be. Irony is, those people likely arent shopping compact cars, but whatever..lol.
I drove a Jetta R Line with that same engine and was impressed with how it performed. I wasn't expecting much out of 147 HP but it had decent torque to get you off the line.
I have a 2019 SportWagen and it’s one of the best cars I’ve owned. Sometimes I wish I had the hatch for a little more fun, but the wagon has so much room for activities. Mk7 Golf/GTI in general is just such a fantastic car, easily one of the most competent VW’s ever. Everyone should try one.
My '15 SE Golf Sportwagen tsi has gotten 39mpg on hwy, 35mpg hwy rated and my car is 3200 lbs. Who wants the 1.4 when the 1.8 kicks ass! Amazing acelleration, power and economy with the 1.8tsi and I have real exhaust tips, hood strut and engine cover..lol
Donnachaidh i drove a 2017 1.8 tsi like 2 months ago and damn the car is fast and amazing overall. i love lightweight car and the car was both lightweight and fast. i hope manufactures focus on making more cars like golfs.
@@zhila5958 Yes, that engine and car is great. Stock engine is awesome! Love mine. VW makes odd decisions when Subaru sells tons of wagons. They may still be in Canada and used one for great deal. Cheers.
@@RaitisRides Right after I saw this review I ran into a guy with a 2018 Golf R, he saw my S4 and we started talking about the joys of the manual transmission. I was thinking about you Joe!
I had a 2012 TDI 4 door with sat nav. Easily the best car I ever owned. Inexpensive, handled well, extremely nice interior. Unfortunately I had to give it up because VW messed up.
North America usually gets the newer generation VW models a year later. In fact, VW is not bringing the regular Golf (mk8) here at all, only the GTI and R.
I just purchased a 2020 VW Golf TSI with a manual transmission yesterday for $24500 with 12,700 total miles and I am here to get Raiti''s opinion of the car. I wanted a Golf for a very long time and I was totally committed to a new or slightly used GTI but the GTI's and every other car at the moment are ridiculously overpriced! This Golf had been on the lot since mid-June and even though it's been 30 years since I drove a daily manual transmission, the dealership was straightforward and there was zero bullshit to deal with. Just a few days prior, I saw and drove a 2020 GTI that I like with the automatic transmission but the dealership wanted stupid money, a bunch of crazy nonsense fees and the $29,000 vehicle was $34,000 before hitting the finance table! The car is everything I needed and will serve me well for many years!
With most VW dealerships full of Jetta's, Golf hatchbacks are incredibly hard to find (looked at inventory of most VW dealerships in Southern California). When I was looking for a new car and looked at VW, the salesman at the dealership forcibly pressured us to buy a Jetta instead of a Golf. We ended up getting a Civic at the Honda dealership next door and don't regret it at all.
This car reminds me of a 2001 Audi A4 I had, the design is clean and timeless in my option. You forgot to mention how solid the doors sound when you close them...lol
I have the 4 door Golf! I own a 91 VWGTI 2 Door that I love with a Manual and upgrades inside and outside. Tires and Suspension with a Shift Kit. All the Work myself.
I love the Golf. I own a MK4 and after 17 years it’s still as solid as the day it rolled off the line in Wolfsburg, they also make Volkswagen sausages at the same plant. It’s comfy, dependable and actually a really nice drive. Everything works well, well priced and a great interior and it’s aged well. Wouldn’t consider any other hatchback.
I got a 2003 Golf TDI, manual 5-speed. Still is a going machine. I would like to get a new one but can't justify doing do since this one is still in great shape and fun to drive. Maybe next year?
The only history with VW I have are two transmission repairs. Granted it was a 01 1.8T Jetta. Fun first car. Drove for about 20k miles with no oil. Awesome review as always! Cheers!
The golf / GTI proves you don't need tons of horsepower to have a fun car. Yeah I can't wait for the GTI either. I had a beetle once (the "masculine" refresh) and it felt like I was in a go kart. So much fun to throw into turns.
This guy is superb... A fantastic review of a great car. I'm from the UK and so sick and tired of car reviews done here by priveledged journalists who drive and review cars worth $100,000 plus and then with a car like this say oh it's boring, oh there's plastic on the interior, oh it doesn't have 600+ horsepower and do 0-60 in 4 seconds.... My Golf is a cracking car.. Not fast but def not slow, fits 4 adults comfortably, will sit at 70mph on the motorway in great comfort and get 50mpg. Excellent car.
I've been between the TSI and a Civic Sport Hatch with a manual transmission and by the time was ready to buy all the Civics are gone. Only CVT's. The Civic was kind of my choice but since I couldn't find one I went and test drove a Golf. If I hated the Golf I was going to go back and buy the Civic hatch with the CVT. I read all these reviews that were saying that the TSI lacked power on the highway. First off, 0-30 mph it's very quick. I was really surprised by it. 0-60 it's in the mid 7 seconds. I got out on the highway and it gets up to 80 mph no problem. Sure if you want to blow by a Vette between 70-100 mph, it can't do that but I found it just fine. I mean, how often do you have to accelerate up from 70 or 80 mph? That's cruising speed already. The steering is super responsive. It shifts great. Super fun. It's just not made for the Autobahn. On back roads it's a hooligan. Moon roof is standard. It has a real Tach and Speedo. The styling is classic European, not Japanese Transformer. I'm actually happy that the Civics were gone. I bought the Golf. Oh, the only thing it needs is a cool racing stripe! That's happening!
Owned many VW's over the years, their best vehicles were the Rabbit and Jetta Diesels which you can't get anymore. My favorite was my 1978 Rabbit diesel, 4 speed manual. It only had a whopping 48 horsepower but got 50 plus MPG on the highway.
The only remaining VW that looks like a VW.I was fortunate enough to find a 2018 SE/1.8 new.There were only two Golfs on the dealer's lot.He's right-those clean,cohesive lines age well.VW's don't look ridiculous within a few years.I politely overlook the fake exhausts,otherwise it's been flawless.For someone sounding so obsessed with candy/sweets,he somehow stays in shape.
At last giving some love to VW! Love this car has full of potential mk7 7.5 gti the best.looks of this timeless like a rolex. New Hyundai N line catching up fast.
LOL Raiti.... The Expert at ad-libbing..... " .. and the seats... really just allows....you... to maximize....how you're going to....love driving this golf.... because you're gonna feel good....as you're doing it" ... Even funnier to listen to at 14:48
On the subject of the cargo area I was disappointed that he didn’t mention how many cases of Twinkies it could stow. Otherwise a great, informative video.
chu ness you’ll love it especially with an APR stage 1 tune or something similar. If you want bigger front brakes and a limited slip differential make sure you get one with the Performance Package. Have fun!
chu ness when you search GTIs on Autotrader filter on the Sport trim. All Sports come with the Performance Package so 220 hp, limited slip, and bigger front brakes. Looks like low mileage ones are going for $20k which is a lot of car for the money.
chu ness it depends. I trust enthusiast owners a lot more than dealers so I’m ok with higher miles like 50 or 60k if I see that the owner has taken really good care of the car. With a dealer I would shoot for 20 to 40k miles. I saw a couple of Sports from dealers on Autotrader for $16 to $17k with around 40k miles. Texas and Florida seem to always have the cheapest cars but I would avoid Florida dealers, they have the highest fees in the country.
I've had 3 Golfs, and have always thought they are excellent cars. I'm a bit sad that they aren't going to bring the base mk8 Golf to the USA. My current 2015 mk7 Golf TDI is excellent. It's really a joy to drive!
One potential way to add to these reviews could be to get a giant black cloth to drape over the cars to show case ambient lighting/ the color of the lighting of the buttons given that some use colors you cant change from orange to white to blue etc
Mine has a manual transmission, and feels like a tank, albeit a very refined one. The difference is stark when I step out of my wife's Honda civic and into the VW. I cannot think of a better car for my money.
can we just have 50mpg back from the MK4 gen of Jettas? Where is the 20 years of innovation from 2000 to 2020?? Tough sell with the American options imo
Golf and Rio are not in the same class and league it's more towards Hyundai i30 (Elantra GT) and Kia Forte 5 (hatchback variant currently not sold in the US).
lol I like the title even tho the golf got a new redesign that will be released in the states next year. So guess this is temporarily the best hatchback ever built till next year
Nice video Joe. We've owned two rabbits and two golfs over the years. Love them and they're great cars. We really want to get the Golf TSI, but it comes standard with a sunroof which is notorious for leaking in VWs and Audis. Love to pull the trigger, but don't want puddles on the floor and dash. Any one have VW sunroofs that don't leak.
I had a Jetta Wagon with a sunroof, the frame cracked and of course leaked. I would never get a VW with a sunroof, or really after my exp a car with a sunroof. Not worth the risk or yearly cleaning to me. Plus its dumb, most people never use it after a few times.
Faux leather, Faux exhaust and a hatchback 😀 It’s a triple threat. With that said your review was excellent. You could sell sand to a camel 🐪 🐫 Joe!! Excellent review 👍
If you want a base Golf, get one soon. Here in the Pacific Northwest Golfs are being offered at $2500 to $3000 off MSRP, putting the price around $22K plus TTL. Leftover 2019 models are identical to the 2020 model and are offered for even less. The bad news is there is no 2021 Golf and the MK8 that would be a 2022 model in the US won't be coming to America. Only the GTI and Golf R are slated for the US. That's not surprising. While the basic Golf remains the best selling car in Germany and much of the rest of Europe, the GTI outsells the Golf 2 to 1 in the US. VW has a number of painful lessons that suggest American consumers want VW's to be quicker, larger, and cheaper than their European counterparts. As a result VW doesn't bother to sell the smaller Polo brand in the US and the Jetta, not even sold in Germany, is the volume leader among VW's sedans in on this side of the Atlantic and the basic Golf will disappear. Personally, I drive a GTI and feel the larger 2.0L engine, additional power and and upscale features are well worth the difference is price. But Joe is correct in suggesting that the Golf has many of the advantages of the GTI in terms of overall design (e.g versatility with great interior space, great visibility, excellent handling, etc.) and gets considerably better fuel economy than the GTI, an important advantage of the Golf in Europe where fuel is much more expensive than in the US. Furthermore, while Americans tend to think of performance solely in terms of straight line acceleration to 60 mph and quarter mile times, Europeans are more likely to judge performance in terms of comfortable cruising at 100 mph on well maintained highways and handling on twisting roads originally laid down more than 2000 years ago. The base Golf with its 14L turbo engine does all that very, very well. If I were in the market for a true European sports sedan with the interior room of a compact SUV at considerably less than $25K, the basic Golf would be on my list.
The VW website says you have to use Premium (93) gas to get the claimed 147 horsepower. Strange that the Jetta specs doesn't say the same with the same overall engine. (In fact, I hope its a typo, but the normal horsepower for this car is shown as 110 on the VW website for this car). Also, is this a Tiptronic automatic, because some reviews say it is.
As someone buying a used car, I'm grateful to have found a good review of the base model 2020 vw golf.
Countless reviews of higher trims but only one base model review I found. Thank you! Also, I ordered the car this morning and just now found this video. I'm stoked.
That is so awesome Andrew! I am glad that I can bring it to you!
Joe needs to start selling Raiti's Rides branded twinkies! They would be as legendary as his car reviews.
I love how he assumes car buyers are all addicted to the junkiest of junk foods...or should be. Irony is, those people likely arent shopping compact cars, but whatever..lol.
I've been wanting a vw golf since I was a teen and I still do. Nice to see you Joe.
Agreed, I want a Golf too (regardless if it's a GTI, TSI or TDI.)
That is so awesome Soney! I am so happy to hear!
Nice!
I drove a Jetta R Line with that same engine and was impressed with how it performed. I wasn't expecting much out of 147 HP but it had decent torque to get you off the line.
Giving 2020, the year, a major zonk
I watched just to see you zonk the fake exhaust. Can we petition these. I love the golf though. Great review!!
I saw an Audi SUV the other day with fake exhaust 😎
@@scottrosburg2382 Mercedes and VW products are the worst offenders
Hey Joe, nice review. At 17:25 you passed my car! It's a 2015 Hyundai Elantra GT. Peace out.
That's why he passed you you're in a Hyundai
D S lol come on dude current Hyundais are good
@@DS-qg9ck lets see the veloster n vs a gti
I have a 2019 SportWagen and it’s one of the best cars I’ve owned. Sometimes I wish I had the hatch for a little more fun, but the wagon has so much room for activities. Mk7 Golf/GTI in general is just such a fantastic car, easily one of the most competent VW’s ever. Everyone should try one.
Very cool! Thanks for letting me share this one with you!
Raiti's Rides I also didn’t realize the 2020 was one trim, basically like a 2019 SE minus the upgraded infotainment. Thanks for explaining.
My '15 SE Golf Sportwagen tsi has gotten 39mpg on hwy, 35mpg hwy rated and my car is 3200 lbs.
Who wants the 1.4 when the 1.8 kicks ass!
Amazing acelleration, power and economy with the 1.8tsi and I have real exhaust tips, hood strut and engine cover..lol
Nicely done my friend!
@@RaitisRides
Like your detailed reviews.
You should review a 1.8 GSW, SE or sel. You will love it.
Cheers
Donnachaidh i drove a 2017 1.8 tsi like 2 months ago and damn the car is fast and amazing overall. i love lightweight car and the car was both lightweight and fast. i hope manufactures focus on making more cars like golfs.
@@zhila5958
Yes, that engine and car is great.
Stock engine is awesome!
Love mine.
VW makes odd decisions when Subaru sells tons of wagons.
They may still be in Canada and used one for great deal.
Cheers.
Donnachaidh enjoy your ride mate.
Have always been a fan of the Golf/GTI since the 80's. There's something about the basic design. Great review as always..!
@Miles Doyle Sooo, does Jesus really need an extended warranty orrr….
VW makes a great car for the money. Before driving Audis I had 2 VW Rabbits and a 1986 GTI. Well built, solid, and easy on the eyes. Great review!
I am so glad that I could share this one with you Sully!
@@RaitisRides Right after I saw this review I ran into a guy with a 2018 Golf R, he saw my S4 and we started talking about the joys of the manual transmission. I was thinking about you Joe!
Thanks for doing this car, Joe! As the owner of a TDI, I’d love to see you review a 2015 TDI Golf or Golf Sportwagen.
Been waiting on this one! You’re a man of your word Joe!!🐐👑
Thanks Wynn! That really means a lot!
I had a 2012 TDI 4 door with sat nav. Easily the best car I ever owned. Inexpensive, handled well, extremely nice interior. Unfortunately I had to give it up because VW messed up.
This is my first Volkswagen to afford Joe.
Damn Raiti you’re on a roll!!!!!! Appreciate the content man I can already see those million subs I’m rooting for you man!!!!!!!!💪
How about just focusing on awesome content, and not on a number of subs?
Gray Arctic Fox Just spreading positivity 😂😂😂 how about you don’t focus on my comment😂
I don't know what's in VW's mind but the Gen8 Golf is already selling in Europe.
North America usually gets the newer generation VW models a year later. In fact, VW is not bringing the regular Golf (mk8) here at all, only the GTI and R.
Paul Yuen last year of the golf in us. 2021 only brings gti and r
I just purchased a 2020 VW Golf TSI with a manual transmission yesterday for $24500 with 12,700 total miles and I am here to get Raiti''s opinion of the car. I wanted a Golf for a very long time and I was totally committed to a new or slightly used GTI but the GTI's and every other car at the moment are ridiculously overpriced! This Golf had been on the lot since mid-June and even though it's been 30 years since I drove a daily manual transmission, the dealership was straightforward and there was zero bullshit to deal with. Just a few days prior, I saw and drove a 2020 GTI that I like with the automatic transmission but the dealership wanted stupid money, a bunch of crazy nonsense fees and the $29,000 vehicle was $34,000 before hitting the finance table!
The car is everything I needed and will serve me well for many years!
With most VW dealerships full of Jetta's, Golf hatchbacks are incredibly hard to find (looked at inventory of most VW dealerships in Southern California). When I was looking for a new car and looked at VW, the salesman at the dealership forcibly pressured us to buy a Jetta instead of a Golf. We ended up getting a Civic at the Honda dealership next door and don't regret it at all.
Thanks for sharing that info and perspective!
This car reminds me of a 2001 Audi A4 I had, the design is clean and timeless in my option. You forgot to mention how solid the doors sound when you close them...lol
So very true!
I have the 4 door Golf! I own a 91 VWGTI 2 Door that I love with a Manual and upgrades inside and outside. Tires and Suspension with a Shift Kit. All the Work myself.
That is so very cool!
I love the pov position while driving
Only if more car reviewers could do the same
Thanks for letting me bring it to you!
I love the Golf. I own a MK4 and after 17 years it’s still as solid as the day it rolled off the line in Wolfsburg, they also make Volkswagen sausages at the same plant. It’s comfy, dependable and actually a really nice drive. Everything works well, well priced and a great interior and it’s aged well. Wouldn’t consider any other hatchback.
I got a 2003 Golf TDI, manual 5-speed. Still is a going machine. I would like to get a new one but can't justify doing do since this one is still in great shape and fun to drive. Maybe next year?
The only history with VW I have are two transmission repairs. Granted it was a 01 1.8T Jetta. Fun first car. Drove for about 20k miles with no oil. Awesome review as always! Cheers!
What kind of clown drives 20k miles with no oil?
Been waiting for this review... this might be my daily. Thanks
Joe can you do a 2020 Audi S5 review? I really liked your A5 review (I’ve watched it quite a few times 😂), but you should do an S5 review!
When the regular Golf looks better than the GTI, you know you messed up. Here's to hoping they don't screw up the Golf R as well.
Agreed
It's going to be interesting to see how it turns out!
@@Raven-uu7lb Yes sir!
@@RaitisRides waiting patiently for the reveal of the Golf R 😉
@@RaitisRides we have the eighth generation
released in europe but i think it is not in us market
The golf / GTI proves you don't need tons of horsepower to have a fun car. Yeah I can't wait for the GTI either. I had a beetle once (the "masculine" refresh) and it felt like I was in a go kart. So much fun to throw into turns.
Great review! Love the golf, great value.
The 2018 golf tsi was the best before the change it to the small 1.4T engine..
the 1.4t is a great engine. good power and reliable too
This guy is superb... A fantastic review of a great car. I'm from the UK and so sick and tired of car reviews done here by priveledged journalists who drive and review cars worth $100,000 plus and then with a car like this say oh it's boring, oh there's plastic on the interior, oh it doesn't have 600+ horsepower and do 0-60 in 4 seconds.... My Golf is a cracking car.. Not fast but def not slow, fits 4 adults comfortably, will sit at 70mph on the motorway in great comfort and get 50mpg. Excellent car.
I've been between the TSI and a Civic Sport Hatch with a manual transmission and by the time was ready to buy all the Civics are gone. Only CVT's. The Civic was kind of my choice but since I couldn't find one I went and test drove a Golf. If I hated the Golf I was going to go back and buy the Civic hatch with the CVT. I read all these reviews that were saying that the TSI lacked power on the highway. First off, 0-30 mph it's very quick. I was really surprised by it. 0-60 it's in the mid 7 seconds. I got out on the highway and it gets up to 80 mph no problem. Sure if you want to blow by a Vette between 70-100 mph, it can't do that but I found it just fine. I mean, how often do you have to accelerate up from 70 or 80 mph? That's cruising speed already. The steering is super responsive. It shifts great. Super fun. It's just not made for the Autobahn. On back roads it's a hooligan. Moon roof is standard. It has a real Tach and Speedo. The styling is classic European, not Japanese Transformer. I'm actually happy that the Civics were gone. I bought the Golf. Oh, the only thing it needs is a cool racing stripe! That's happening!
Congrats! Thanks for sharing that ownership experience!
Try plugging in a USB cable in the console compartment while the shifter is in park.
That is a good point.
The only problem with the back part is that dirt and water stays on it at the back, annoying to clean at times haha
Yesss
Owned many VW's over the years, their best vehicles were the Rabbit and Jetta Diesels which you can't get anymore. My favorite was my 1978 Rabbit diesel, 4 speed manual. It only had a whopping 48 horsepower but got 50 plus MPG on the highway.
There's a certain honesty to these cars. And VW has managed to keep the design clean. The new Passat and Arteon look a bit odd imho
I like the way that you put that!
I like that word zonk😂 You're super detailed in your reviews sir I appreciate that👍🏾
USB C is nice. I love my MK6 Golf GTI.
It’s a lovely car, it’s the corolla of hatchbacks 😁 (ignore that the corolla hatchback exists 😂🥴 it doesn’t count it just came)
Thanks for letting me share it with you Miguel!
I love Volkswagen Golf its fun to drive but I wish they bring back the V6 engine
Engines are only getting smaller so I doubt they would ever do that again.
It will be amazing if you could test out also the new GTI..the sporty version. 😁
Stay tuned! ;-)
The only remaining VW that looks like a VW.I was fortunate enough to find a 2018 SE/1.8 new.There were only two Golfs on the dealer's lot.He's right-those clean,cohesive lines age well.VW's don't look ridiculous within a few years.I politely overlook the fake exhausts,otherwise it's been flawless.For someone sounding so obsessed with candy/sweets,he somehow stays in shape.
Love the silver
VW IS THE BEST
I am so glad that you like this one!
I love my golf sportwagen except for the darn leaky sunroof situation that vw refuses to find a solution
I have a Jetta wagon, drives like a million bucks but that stinking sunroof leaks likes yours.
Yes... often imitated never duplicated!
You can say that again!
At last giving some love to VW! Love this car has full of potential mk7 7.5 gti the best.looks of this timeless like a rolex. New Hyundai N line catching up fast.
Great video, going to defiinately put this VW golf tsi on my shopping list. Thanks for all the great videos.
Thanks Joe great review hope to get one in a few months from now
I like the idea of maximum interior room in a small package and yet with a gorgeous exterior shape. BTW, the seat material is leatherette, right?
LOL Raiti.... The Expert at ad-libbing..... " .. and the seats... really just allows....you... to maximize....how you're going to....love driving this golf.... because you're gonna feel good....as you're doing it" ... Even funnier to listen to at 14:48
On the subject of the cargo area I was disappointed that he didn’t mention how many cases of Twinkies it could stow. Otherwise a great, informative video.
Hello Joe I hope you are safe and sound. Love your reviews you are the best.
Excellent basic transportation. I love it
Great video Joe! Thx
You are so very welcome! Thanks for always tuning in!
My favorite brand is Volkswagen the car of the people
Your reviews are always so gorgeous. Keep them coming. :--)
Thanks for saying that! I promise to keep them coming for you!
This is the perfect small car.
great review as always 👍
Used Mark VI GTI’s are a great deal. Spend $500 on a tune and you’re done.
For the price of this wheezy 140 hp 1.4L you can get a used GTI so I would never spend money on this.
chu ness you’ll love it especially with an APR stage 1 tune or something similar. If you want bigger front brakes and a limited slip differential make sure you get one with the Performance Package. Have fun!
Now we are talking!
chu ness when you search GTIs on Autotrader filter on the Sport trim. All Sports come with the Performance Package so 220 hp, limited slip, and bigger front brakes. Looks like low mileage ones are going for $20k which is a lot of car for the money.
chu ness it depends. I trust enthusiast owners a lot more than dealers so I’m ok with higher miles like 50 or 60k if I see that the owner has taken really good care of the car. With a dealer I would shoot for 20 to 40k miles. I saw a couple of Sports from dealers on Autotrader for $16 to $17k with around 40k miles. Texas and Florida seem to always have the cheapest cars but I would avoid Florida dealers, they have the highest fees in the country.
I love this Golf, Joe! (Especially the diesel, which is nice too)
I am so glad that you like this one!
I've had 3 Golfs, and have always thought they are excellent cars. I'm a bit sad that they aren't going to bring the base mk8 Golf to the USA. My current 2015 mk7 Golf TDI is excellent. It's really a joy to drive!
I think it’s a fair assumption that Joe likes Twinkies and candy.😁
One potential way to add to these reviews could be to get a giant black cloth to drape over the cars to show case ambient lighting/ the color of the lighting of the buttons given that some use colors you cant change from orange to white to blue etc
Undisclosed location! Hahaha! Really? I know exactly where you are Joe. I live near there and drive those roads almost daily. 😀
Mine has a manual transmission, and feels like a tank, albeit a very refined one. The difference is stark when I step out of my wife's Honda civic and into the VW. I cannot think of a better car for my money.
Starts at 1:39
Thanks
can we just have 50mpg back from the MK4 gen of Jettas? Where is the 20 years of innovation from 2000 to 2020?? Tough sell with the American options imo
I ❤ my "17" Alltrack 😊👍
That is so wonderful to hear William!
Great review. I do think that the design, especially with that color, makes the car look super dated imo
Sweet build on that Army Green 4Runner!
Do you think the 1.4t engine is much slower than the 1.8t in the older models? Great Review!
It’s slower on a quarter mile but faster from 0-60 due to 8 speed transmission compared to 6 speed in the older model
Hey Joe, nice review. I’m deciding between a Forte GT and a Golf TSI. Which do you put above the other??
I would go Forte GT! You just get so much more for the money.
Golf. Kia sucks.
So it looks like they got rid of the old 1.8 and are using the 1.4t from the jetta?
You are 100% correct!
To be honest the 1.8 NA is much much better than this 1.4t.
Good review
Interesting pronunciation of the Volkswagen. In South Africa we pronounce w as v.
I like the golfs but I love my kia Rio hatch. Best car I've ever owned
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one!
The Rio would compete with the VW Polo not the Golf. The Kia Cerato is Golf sized.
Golf and Rio are not in the same class and league it's more towards Hyundai i30 (Elantra GT) and Kia Forte 5 (hatchback variant currently not sold in the US).
lol I like the title even tho the golf got a new redesign that will be released in the states next year. So guess this is temporarily the best hatchback ever built till next year
Only the Mk8 GTI and R are coming to the US, no more regular Golf.
Tiger needs a golf. Specifically for Hawthorne blvd.
I have a 2019 golf 1.4t 6spd manual. Any suggestions on what I should do?
New to the channel and while this was a great review that covered everything I was curious about, I might just stick around for the twinkies...
I have a tsi, it’s incredible!
Hi, my 2020 VW golf has sound between 30-40 mile speed- also you feel little vibration at 60 mile speed. kindly advise
How are you liking the car? Any problems yet? I ask because I just got one (same year) a couple weeks ago
Is the 2020 honda civic type r a good sports car?
Are these good for short drivers I'm 5’0 and looking for a hatchback
My golf is 2018 and the infotainment is all touch screen. Does it differ from uk and US models?
I believe it does.
Nice video Joe. We've owned two rabbits and two golfs over the years. Love them and they're great cars. We really want to get the Golf TSI, but it comes standard with a sunroof which is notorious for leaking in VWs and Audis. Love to pull the trigger, but don't want puddles on the floor and dash. Any one have VW sunroofs that don't leak.
I got an audi a3 with panoramic sunroof ( no leaks) , after 11 years of ownership.
I had a Jetta Wagon with a sunroof, the frame cracked and of course leaked. I would never get a VW with a sunroof, or really after my exp a car with a sunroof. Not worth the risk or yearly cleaning to me. Plus its dumb, most people never use it after a few times.
Forget the car! I’ll take the guy!
Im thinking of buying the exact model but worried about reliability? Any thoughts, thanks.
The 1.8t/2.0t engines are pretty reliable they're the good engines I have a 14 jetta with the 1.8t and had no problems in the 5 years of owning it
love Golf but why no huge zonk for pre historical headlights with yellow halogen bulbs and lack of projectors!
Faux leather, Faux exhaust and a hatchback 😀 It’s a triple threat. With that said your review was excellent. You could sell sand to a camel 🐪 🐫 Joe!! Excellent review 👍
Thanks Louis! You are so aweosme! Thank you for the great support!
Joe finally reviews my car! Although mine is a manual; we can't all be perfect! Can't wait to watch this later today!
I just bought a 2020 6 speed golf. How are you liking yours?
If you want a base Golf, get one soon. Here in the Pacific Northwest Golfs are being offered at $2500 to $3000 off MSRP, putting the price around $22K plus TTL. Leftover 2019 models are identical to the 2020 model and are offered for even less. The bad news is there is no 2021 Golf and the MK8 that would be a 2022 model in the US won't be coming to America. Only the GTI and Golf R are slated for the US.
That's not surprising. While the basic Golf remains the best selling car in Germany and much of the rest of Europe, the GTI outsells the Golf 2 to 1 in the US. VW has a number of painful lessons that suggest American consumers want VW's to be quicker, larger, and cheaper than their European counterparts. As a result VW doesn't bother to sell the smaller Polo brand in the US and the Jetta, not even sold in Germany, is the volume leader among VW's sedans in on this side of the Atlantic and the basic Golf will disappear.
Personally, I drive a GTI and feel the larger 2.0L engine, additional power and and upscale features are well worth the difference is price. But Joe is correct in suggesting that the Golf has many of the advantages of the GTI in terms of overall design (e.g versatility with great interior space, great visibility, excellent handling, etc.) and gets considerably better fuel economy than the GTI, an important advantage of the Golf in Europe where fuel is much more expensive than in the US. Furthermore, while Americans tend to think of performance solely in terms of straight line acceleration to 60 mph and quarter mile times, Europeans are more likely to judge performance in terms of comfortable cruising at 100 mph on well maintained highways and handling on twisting roads originally laid down more than 2000 years ago. The base Golf with its 14L turbo engine does all that very, very well.
If I were in the market for a true European sports sedan with the interior room of a compact SUV at considerably less than $25K, the basic Golf would be on my list.
Very good input and perspective Stephen!
Hello Jo great and fun test again. There is already a new Golf model in Germany, when will it be launched in the USA?
Tom Kaestner 2021
No LED headlights?
Nope
Do you know when the 2021 GTI is coming? Thanks
That is the million dollar question.
So sad that the Golf is out of Canada because it doesn't sell well in the US
I think it's a great car for the $$. The seats look nice! The wheels don't look so hot but other than that not bad!
The VW website says you have to use Premium (93) gas to get the claimed 147 horsepower. Strange that the Jetta specs doesn't say the same with the same overall engine. (In fact, I hope its a typo, but the normal horsepower for this car is shown as 110 on the VW website for this car). Also, is this a Tiptronic automatic, because some reviews say it is.
I just got a 2020 VW Golf about 3 weeks ago and yes I can confirm that it is Tiptronic automatic however that premium gas thing is news to me 🤔
Does this model have parking senzors