2019 Volkswagen Golf: Test Drive Update

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

I have a 2018 Golf R. It's amazing.

[@heyitsme939]

I feel like when he floored it, it didn’t go anywhere 😂😂

[@robgindc1]

"...the department of lies & deception..." - hilariously accurate!

[@wizeguiz]

I love the way you tell it like it is! Thanks for your honesty! 😀

[@L_G_Brandon]

Why was the 1.8 cancelled it makes no sense

[@jbandt]

I appreciate the honesty. Never owned one, but have always loved the power and styling of the golf. Do own a tiguan. Disappointing to see quality sacrificed for no noticeable mpg gains. VW probably figures that it needs to be more mpg competitive in the compact segment, and since very few actually do spirited driving, this was their best option.

[@ficficio]

Could this be the only unfavorable review of the Golf on record? Ever? Seriously, how hard is it to push a button to turn off the auto start/stop feature? If deceptive trim pretending to be exhaust bothers you -stay away! At least he didn’t complain about the parking brake “handle”. Fortunately, I disregarded this review and bought it based on other reviews. The engine performs just fine for ordinary people and the MPG will blow you away. I’ve owned and driven Audis for most of my life and it says something that I fight my spouse for the keys to Golf. Cheers!

[@D3vilMayCry99]

I enjoyed his review as it gave me something to think about but I agree with you. Love this car, it’s just as fun as 1.8, if someone wants fast then get a GTI. This car is pretty fast either way.

[@Joe-cy5hm]

@@D3vilMayCry99 Yeah I don’t understand his complaints. I have this car and the power curve is very smooth with this transmission. With the right tire pressure this car can feel fast at times in the city

[@milhad.salihi]

@@Joe-cy5hm I own one of these, 1.4L tsi with 7-speed DSG (150hp), and he's completely right. Car wants to constantly upshift way too early and keeps itself out of the power band. But if you press on the accelerator - in a proper gear it can pull - just the fuel economy is not great at all. In the city 10l/100km is way too much for a 1.4l engine.

[@Joe-cy5hm]

@@milhad.salihi Interesting, I’m getting 8 in the city. Do you check your tyre pressure regularly? Yeah, he’s right about the upshifts so I often drive in S mode and the transmission doesn’t upshift as much.

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

I just purchased a new 2019 VW Jetta GLI with the 2.0 turbo and it is fantastic. Fast, handles great. Great mpg.

[@jodyshields7409]

Volkswagen better get their act together before they start delivering the new EVs because I watched some of the reviews from the Frankfurt Auto Show and the interiors are looking pretty low rent. So I guess this new Golf is a preview of things to come.

[@modmatt1]

I've been impressed by the Golf and other VWs over the years and just rented new one (~2k miles) for a week in "rental trim spec" in Europe with decent cloth but had some of the same thoughts especially with regards to the start/stop (and mine was a manual). Not sure which "Petrol" engine I had, but it was rough and very slow, - excellent gas mileage though ~ 44 US mpg. Overall a mixed experience for me. Loved the solid feeling of the ride and steering was quick, but not much in the way of feel and while driving around town interior noise was fine (other than a rough sounding engine when pressed), on the highway there was a decent amount of road and wind noise. Bottom line for me, it was a good companion for the week and see why it was one of the most popular cars on the road there.

[@jimlivingston8437]

I own a 2015 VW Golf Sportwagen with the 1.8L TSI engine and I get 43 - 45 mpg often at 80mph. Around town I avg. 24 to 27 mpg with the A/C on as I live in W. Texas where it's almost always hot. I love the engine! This new engine - well I would never buy a Golf with a 1.4L engine. Great review!

[@carfanfan]

Great review Sam. I always love your reviews and videos and watch all of them. We had a Golf 7 a couple of years ago and it was an awesome car. Nice to see some improvements.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Hey!! It's Yosemite Sam!!! Welcome back, yet again, Sir.

[@colonelquickshifter6534]

What’s better than a golf ?

[@GISJIng]

They also have taken out the rear vents I think since 2018 model year. They seriously are ruining the Golf! Get ready to be disappointed with the MK8! Way to go Volkswagen! 😐

[@heyitsme939]

these features are still available on the Golf in other countries. They’ve removed these features from the US spec Golf to cut costs, because the Golf sells HORRIBLY in the US, whereas in some other countries, such as Europe, it is the best selling vehicle. As a matter of fact, the regular Golf 8 isn’t even coming to the us. Only the GTI and Golf R, because those are the only Golf models that actually sell in the states.

[@elliottmanning4116]

This car might be on your I can't buy it list, because it seems the only the new GTI and Golf R are coming stateside and not the new Golf.

[@jacobreed47]

Incorrect! The USA is getting the all new Golf. We are getting it, just not all model trims Europe will be getting. The the GTE and diesel models. But for sure the USA is getting the all new upcoming Golf.

[@pedrofernandez3893]

Start stop system that you have to shut off every time you start the car is a deal killer for me, so is any CVT or turbo equipped car. I guess that limits me to the Mazda 3.

[@danielc3321]

And next year it won’t even be available. Just the GTI and Golf R. No wagon variants either. 😭

[@cargogh]

You'll like it better as a 2-box.

[@palebeachbum]

VW hides the dual exhaust tips and slaps on fake exhausts. WHY!? I do like VW's clean styling inside and out, but it seriously looks like a car from 20yrs ago. The tiny turbo motor is one of the least efficient 4cyls in its class and not the most powerful. VW reliability and longevity are nothing to write home about, nor is the price point in the class. There's a reason why VW is a low volume niche brand in the US.

[@TalismanPHX]

A shame that the Golf is being dropped in the US, to be replaced by the ID.3 all-electric 5 door. Can't believe that Volkswagen dropped the wagon versions too.... oh, and the fake exhaust ports go with the new VW electrification focus. Excellent video, as always, thanks for the upload Sam. 🌵🌵🌵

[@james32371]

Daniel Gross the ID3 isn’t even coming to the US it’s gonna be a all electric crossover called the ID cross

[@ahmedsyed3436]

Great review, and like always an unbiased one. By the way I am sick of auto start/stop too.

[@runchap]

Quite a difference from other reviewers general praise for the total vehicle. While the diesel deception bothers me too, I wonder if holding a grudge unfairly colored your review. Have always appreciated your work, but personally, you came off “hangry” in this one.

[@TestDrivenTV]

Not angry or "hangry". We call them like we see them. Like the host says, "Im gonna tell you what I really think". We don't sugar coat the truth so that manufacturers will invite us to the next media junket or keep giving us press cars. We don't see our job as validating people's love for their pet brands and holding back the facts so they don't get butt hurt.

[@zuti071]

Hey, this press car Golf was on chad haire channel 2 days ago.

[@CrazedSpartania]

No noticeable mpg gains? *Stares at the 45.4mpg in my 2019 golf* Aight I guess.

[@ireneepaul5508]

Exactly I have a 2019 Jetta same engine saw 47 mpg on a long haul

[@mattalki]

That's really odd about the fuel economy. I had a loaner with that engine/drivetrain and got 42mpg with it while I drove it. Of course, it was mostly highway driving, but still... 28 is pretty bad. I currently have a 2015 Golf TDI SE, and it's super excellent. Yeah, it's one of the recalled cars, but I got it for a bargain, and am enjoying the 45 mpg and huge torque numbers. If I were to buy a new one, I'd get the 1.4L with 6-speed manual. I wonder if that would make any difference in your view?

[@froesesp]

Sounds awful but the fuel economy ratings are only estimates, not a promise.

[@elliottmanning4116]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Most window stickers say "your fuel economy will vary," so the numbers are more of a hypothesis then anything else.

[@TestDrivenTV]

They are a published benchmark, data used for certification and compliance with CAFE. Some cars easily meet or exceed the "estimates", others never come close. This is an area of measurement we can cite. Some automakers are better than others.

[@DyersEve726]

@@TestDrivenTV my 19 Golf gets 45mpg.....

[@bioveraorganics4369]

Buy it with the manual transmission. Much better.

[@jacobreed47]

Just shit all over VW. ~Funny. I bought a new 2019 VW Jetta S trim with the 6 speed manual transmission. And the 1.4 engine is great when paired with the manual. Sadly this Golf was so poor in other areas. Loving my new Jetta ,first VW BTW. Hope it hold up and doesn't fall apart.

[@mistertee5000]

Love my MK7 Golf. I can't imagine having a smaller engine, no rear vents, no locking glove box, and the list goes on... VW has become an expensive "cheap and cheerful" brand with no exciting cars and none of that premium Germanic feel. North American VWs simply suck now. I'd get one if I lived in Europe but not in America.

[@georget5560]

I had the amazing MK7 2015 Golf TSI with the amazing refined 6 speeds Tiptronic and almost GTI performance and powerful 1.8T and this is a POS!!! Spot on review...sorry cheap on every level ...glad I went for a 2019 A4 S Line Quattro Black package and LOVE it!

[@jimwilkins7209]

Hey, don't sugarcoat it!

[@EXCELSIOR_INC]

Smaller motor has to work harder = bad gas mileage GM did this in the 70's oil crisis replacing the 350 with a gutless 305 You had to hold it to the floor to get it to move = bad gas mileage Honda made this same mistake Get this with the manual, solves the the transmission up shifting to quick problem

[@hbcutie1971]

Its called design symmetry, its meant to make the rear end look like the front end.

[@itzed]

Don’t fret too much, it’s only a temporary power train until they make all of their cars electric.

[@doesntmatter2505]

yawn..... get it together VW. This golf is so boring.....