Volkswagen Golf/GTI: MPG and fuel economy by year
The EPA has rated the Volkswagen Golf/GTI across 7 model years, from the 1985 Volkswagen Golf/GTI through the 1998 Volkswagen Golf/GTI. The most recent 1998 Volkswagen Golf/GTI returns 24 combined MPG. The most efficient model year was the 1996 Volkswagen Golf/GTI at 38 MPG.
Pick a year below to open the full Volkswagen Golf/GTI 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/GTI. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1998 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | $2,500 |
| 1997 | 1997 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 37 MPG | 33 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,200 |
| 1996 | 1996 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 38 MPG | 34 MPG | 44 MPG | $2,150 |
| 1992 | 1992 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | $2,400 |
| 1991 | 1991 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | $2,400 |
| 1990 | 1990 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | $2,400 |
| 1985 | 1985 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 35 MPG | 31 MPG | 41 MPG | $2,300 |
How the Volkswagen Golf/GTI compares against the Compact Cars class
Buyers usually compare the Volkswagen Golf/GTI against other cars in the same EPA class. The list below shows the most efficient cars in the Compact Cars class for the 1998 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.