Volkswagen Golf: MPG and fuel economy by year
The EPA has rated the Volkswagen Golf across 24 model years, from the 1986 Volkswagen Golf through the 2021 Volkswagen Golf. The most recent 2021 Volkswagen Golf returns 33 combined MPG. The most efficient model year was the 2003 Volkswagen Golf at 38 MPG. The nameplate has been in continuous production long enough to span multiple generations of EPA testing methodology.
Pick a year below to open the full Volkswagen Golf page for that model year. Each year page covers combined, city, and highway MPG, the trim variants the EPA rates separately, the annual fuel cost across three driving patterns, and a year-over-year comparison so you can see whether the car has improved.
Fuel economy by model year
Combined MPG, city MPG, highway MPG, and the EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for every model year of the Volkswagen Golf. Click any year to see the full breakdown for that model year, including trim variants, the drivetrain, and a comparison against other vehicles in its segment.
| Year | Model | Combined MPG | City | Highway | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 Volkswagen Golf | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | 39 MPG | $1,800 |
| 2020 | 2020 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 35 MPG | $1,850 |
| 2019 | 2019 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | $1,850 |
| 2018 | 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | $2,050 |
| 2017 | 2017 Volkswagen Golf | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | $2,050 |
| 2016 | 2016 Volkswagen Golf | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | $2,050 |
| 2015 | 2015 Volkswagen Golf | 35 MPG | 31 MPG | 41 MPG | $2,300 |
| 2014 | 2014 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | $2,550 |
| 2013 | 2013 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | $2,550 |
| 2012 | 2012 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | $2,550 |
| 2011 | 2011 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | $2,550 |
| 2010 | 2010 Volkswagen Golf | 32 MPG | 29 MPG | 39 MPG | $2,550 |
| 2006 | 2006 Volkswagen Golf | 34 MPG | 31 MPG | 40 MPG | $2,400 |
| 2005 | 2005 Volkswagen Golf | 35 MPG | 32 MPG | 41 MPG | $2,300 |
| 2004 | 2004 Volkswagen Golf | 36 MPG | 32 MPG | 42 MPG | $2,250 |
| 2003 | 2003 Volkswagen Golf | 38 MPG | 35 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,150 |
| 2002 | 2002 Volkswagen Golf | 38 MPG | 35 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,150 |
| 2001 | 2001 Volkswagen Golf | 38 MPG | 35 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,150 |
| 2000 | 2000 Volkswagen Golf | 38 MPG | 35 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,150 |
| 1999 | 1999 Volkswagen Golf | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | $2,500 |
| 1989 | 1989 Volkswagen Golf | 34 MPG | 31 MPG | 39 MPG | $2,400 |
| 1988 | 1988 Volkswagen Golf | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | $2,400 |
| 1987 | 1987 Volkswagen Golf | 33 MPG | 31 MPG | 37 MPG | $2,450 |
| 1986 | 1986 Volkswagen Golf | 35 MPG | 31 MPG | 40 MPG | $2,300 |
How the Volkswagen Golf compares against the Compact Cars class
Buyers usually compare the Volkswagen Golf against other cars in the same EPA class. The list below shows the most efficient cars in the Compact Cars class for the 2021 model year, the latest year on this page. Each link opens the full page for that car.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split.