Overview & Reviews

Beyond adjustments to its trim and options structure, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf is unchanged. Notably, however, one of those adjustments is the deletion of optional rear side airbags.

• Refined driving dynamics.
• Fuel-efficient diesel engine
• Outstanding cabin materials and construction
• Spacious hatchback body style

• Unrefined and inefficient gasoline engine
• Higher price than many rivals.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 32.00

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  Love/Hate TDI relationship - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Marty - January 24 - 12:56 pm

  After owning this Golf TDI car for only one month, here is what I think so far: PROs: - Gas Mileage: I average 36 mpg. Plus, diesel is 30 cents/gallon cheaper than 87 octane gas in California. - Front Seats: The heavy bolstering holds me in place during aggressive cornering. Larger individuals may hate it. The cloth material is thick, durable, and textured for additional grip. - Interior: the soft touch dash and leather steering wheel make the interior feel a bit upscale. - Tire Pressure Sensor: I had 2 defective tires, both of which went flat. They were not noticeable without the sensor. - Steering: The steering ratio is a little aggressive with medium effort to steer. It adds to a sporty feel. - Suspension: Good compromise of firmness and compliance over bumps. It feels sporty, but is still useful as a daily driver. - Diesel power: This engine wont wow anyone with straight line acceleration. It does extremely well at low RPMs where all the torque is made. Climbing hilly roads feels effortless for the vehicle. Diesel engines also have a record of being very reliable. We will see if that holds true in this car. - Sound/infotainment system: The sound quality is above average for a non-premium system. It comes stock with a 6 disc changer, which is useful if you want to dust off your old CD collection. The infotainment system does not take long to learn. Also, the radio can turn on with no key in the ignition. That is convenient for entertaining children/passengers, if you dont trust them alone with the keys in the car. CONs: - Diesel Availability: Diesel fuel is not always easy to find when you are looking. About 1 in 3 gas stations in my area have it. - DSG: This transmission is probably the worst transmission Ive ever used. Have you ever been stopped, push the throttle and not go anywhere for 1-2 seconds. The car will inch forward for another second, and then react appropriately to your input. This is dangerous when making a left hand turn in front of oncoming traffic. It only happens about 25% of the time, so it is completely unpredictable and happens in both standard drive mode and sport mode. Similar delays happen when trying to pass, but Im used to cars getting confused about downshifting. There is no downshifting from a stop, at least I hope not. Engine braking is weird as well. It is most noticeable when coasting to a stop. The DSG engages 1st gear at about 12-13mph, decelerating the car quickly to 6-7mph, then coasting again. When coasting from high speeds to low speeds, such as coasting to 35mph from 55mph, the engine revs to 3100 RPM in preparation for a downshift. The diesel engine free reving at 3100 RPMs is loud. This has lasted up to 20 seconds until it finally downshifts to induce engine braking. Its odd to experience this from the drivers seat. - Engine Noise: The engine sounds like a gasoline engine with valve knocking. It turns heads in a parking lot and not in a good way. However, once at cruising speeds the noise is no longer intrusive in the cabin. - Doors: The door settles into positions to hold itself open for getting in/out. The first position is just wide enough to squeeze out of the car. The second position threatens neighboring cars in many parking situations, and hits the wall in my garage. There is no easy in-between because the door pushes/pulls its way to one of those positions. Its a weird nuisance I rarely needed to think about with other cars. - Bluetooth: Set to interrupt music with navigation updates from my phone, it also cuts off my music every two minutes for a voicemail recording that doesnt exist on my phone. - Blind spots: The massive B-pillar is in my way for checking blind spots. My seating position plays a part. I am 6 2" tall. - Phone charging: Im using the same USB adapter from my old car to charge my phone and it charges noticeably slower. - Locking system: The car honks when you lock the car with the key fob. I asked the dealership to disable that honk, and they said they cant on this particular model. Additionally, the lock button in the car door only works when all the doors are closed, so you cannot use it to lock your car as you exit the vehicle. Im stuck annoying sleeping neighbors when I come home at night. Additional conveniences I think this car should have: - Automatic headlights - this has been in some cars for decades, why is it not a feature in all cars. - Automatic climate control - Put in a temperature and forget. Same logic as above, all cars should have this by now. Conclusion: Overall, I think the car is a compromise. I really enjoy the gas mileage, interior quality, and sporty upgrades, but I really hate the DSG and engine noise. The price premium eats most of the gas savings over a regular Golf. If you really want a TDI and are comfortable with a manual transmission, I highly recommend going that route.

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  Great Car...but its like an iPhone - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By volvogirl5 - April 1 - 12:41 pm

  I was torn between a Golf and the Ford Focus. Ultimately, the interior detail and materials sold me on the Golf. It looks like an Audi on the inside (especially at night!). My cloth seats are comfortable and ergonomically correct. I can fit 4 adults in the car without it feeling cramped. Currently getting approx 315 miles per tank. Its really a quality vehicle. The only downside is that my service light has come twice in the past year that Ive owned it. The computer on the vehicle needed an update. Although the updates are free at VW, its time consuming and annoying. Service guy told me its like owning an iphone and theres no warning when you might get the light.

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  likely the best wheels ive ever owned - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Chuck D - March 13 - 1:47 am

  I cant believe any reviews Im reading have bad things to say. I have NOTHING bad to say. I dont even know where to start. How about this: this car has been problem-free for almost 150,000 miles. I get a combined 44 mpg. 600 plus miles per tank full. Isnt that enough? There is a ton of storage room in the back, especially when you lay the seats down. Everything about the car feels very tight. The interior is put together nicely. The car is a pleasure to drive anywhere - up hills.. long drives etc. Ive replaced the battery ONE time and the rear latch gave out 5000 miles ago (total repair cost $200). This car has been a steal at around $25k. Im very sorry I have to give it back with the buy-back program... otherwise I would drive it til the wheels fall off. My german auto maintenance guy said these TDI engines can last you virtually forever if you care for them. Too bad well never know. So my wonderful car goes back to VW in about 60 days and I buy something I have no business owning: a corvette stingray. :)

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  Fun to drive, mileage is a bonus - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By homelessgdog1 - February 15 - 2:50 am

  Golf TDI handles well. We dont get much rain and we dont get any snow here in Los Angeles. In what rain I have driven in, the Golf does well with OEM Contis. Brakes are great, handles great. People talk about stiff, well my other car is a Dodge Cummns truck so Golf is an improvement. Great visibility from all windows, Bluetooth works pretty good, radio (non dyna) is good for stock. I use my Ipod and when I want directions, I use Bluetooth to hear phone Navi (non navigation head unit). Fun factor very high. Fuel mileage incredible.

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  7K miles in 3 months - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By ct_to_nc - April 20 - 9:21 pm

  My top 2 criteria for buying this car: 1. fuel economy, 2. performance. I average around 39 miles / gallon with mostly highway driving. As far as performance, it feels more like a sports car. In fact, it has a sport suspension. Acceleration is quick, whether looking to spontaneously pass on the highway or off the line from a stop. It is a solidly built quality vehicle. As of now, I have no regrets for spending the money to purchase this vehicle. It is truly a joy to drive.

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  4 Door Golf - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By danjv - March 9 - 5:24 am

  Ive owned this car for just a couple weeks, but I can already tell this is the great car I hoped it would be. It doesnt come with the most features, it doesnt get the best gas mileage, and it doesnt have the most back seat room. But if you want a car that makes you say "Ahhhhhh" every time you get in and cant spend $35k, get a Golf. Think of it like the iPhone of the car world: the best designed, most well executed, solid-feeling car you can buy for the money. Drive this, then drive something else - youll be frustrated. The engine is smooth and surprisingly powerful. The transmission is good, but regular mode is a bit economy minded - Sport mode is where I leave it most of the time.

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  I love my car! - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By denicep1 - December 20 - 1:48 pm

  I spent six months researching cars before subscribing to Consumers. They had listed the Golf as the number 1 hatchback. I had looked at one before, but someone had told me they heard from a friend that they werent really good cars, so I stopped considering them. But I decided to get a quote to see what I could buy one for. I was really impressed with the price quote (less than invoice) so I went to test drive. It drove like a dream and had everything I was looking for in a car. I even got 1.84% for five years. In the end it was a no-brainer: great car for a great price. Ive only had it five weeks, but I love it so far.

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  I love this car! - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By jerseypilot - October 2 - 3:36 am

  I purchased my Golf TDI in December of 2011. My previous car had died an unceremonious death and I needed a car now! This is not how I like to jump into a major purchase but I didnt have a choice. I decided to look in the 20k to 22k range so I drove the Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Impreza as well as few others. On the advice of a friend I drove the Golf. Initially I had bypassed the car due to to the increased cost, but the minute I sat in the car I understood the difference. The car is built like a tank, it is trully solid, the interior is wonderfully designed and feels very upscale. The seats are supremely comfortable and it felt bigger than the other cars I have driven, all before I drove.

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  Why would anyone buy a Prius? - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Rockasaurus - April 4 - 5:37 am

  Bought a used 2012 TDI, four door, manual transmission, just as the 2015 (new model) TDI was hitting dealer lots, which made the dealer VERY motivated to unload it. PROS: --The handling, suspension and brakes are essentially identical to the Golf GTI. Which is a very good thing. --Acceleration, while not spectacular, is surprisingly brisk and more than enough to keep me entertained. The manual tranny is smooth and the low end torque is addicting. --The interior layout is incredibly versatile. I can fit four adults very comfortably (even for long trips). Fold down the rear seats and the cargo area becomes cavernous. --Fit and finish are exceptional. The seats are supportive and comfortable, although narrow. If youre very large or overweight, you may find them constricting. Interior materials are high class and feel substantial. Ignore the VW logo on the steering wheel and you will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the TDI and an entry-level Audi. --And of course... the fuel economy. I consistently average 44 MPG... COMBINED without making any special effort to do so. It is not uncommon for me to get 50+ MPG on the highway. I get the economy of a Prius without feeling like Im driving a hair shirt. CONS: --Limited interior storage. To make room for the E-brake, the armrest storage bin is small and nearly useless. --HVAC controls are hard to read. Most cars at this price point have automatic climate control. --Mediocre electronics. The touchscreen and audio interface, while adequate, are well behind the state of the art. The interface with my iPhone is quirky and hasnt kept up with the many ways to listen to content (Pandora, podcasts, etc). VW still doesnt have a USB port, and instead makes you use their proprietary cable to connect phone to stereo. --Diesels dont like cold weather. It takes FOREVER for the car to warm up on very cold mornings, and the car runs pretty rough until it does. The heated seats mitigate the sting considerably, however. The cons really are minor nits to pick. This car makes me smile every time I drive it. Cant believe I lucked into an inexpensive car that drives like an Audi with the fuel economy of a Prius.

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  Great car . . . BUT - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By volkswagon123 - March 29 - 2:13 pm

  I love my VW Golf Diesel, BUT . . . the navigation system is faulty (tells you to get off the highway before your exit, turn right when you need to go left) and the FM radio song display shows only a few characters at a time (e.g. Jumpi; ng Jac; k Flash). Theres no problem with the display while using satellite radio, CDs or an iPod. I researched both problems with the dealer and also called VW customer service about the FM radio display. They admitted these are problems, so if navigation or FM song display are important to you, then you need to look for a different car.