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 1 through 10 of 32.00

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  2012 VW Golf TDI - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By chasda - November 23 - 12:51 am

  My previous car was a 2008 civic EXL. It was economical, dependable transportation, strictly point A to point B. I wanted to move up to something more competent, more fun to drive. I researched all the cars in the compact class. I compared power, performance and economy. Although all had something to offer, I felt the Golf TDI was a step ahead. The blend of performance, economy and build quality is unmatched in this segment. The diesel has a lot of torque and a broad power range, the DSG transmission blends perfectly, acceleration and passing are a breeze. The ride is solid, and handling is precise. Road noise is minimal, it has the feel of a much more expensive car. Sound system is awesome.

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  Efficient, sort of zippy, lots of minor annoyances - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Topher Eliot - March 1 - 12:41 pm

  This is one of the vehicles currently swept up in controversy because of VW cheating on emissions tests. Heaven knows how that will play out. I get 35-40mpg regularly. The car is fast, as long as you have two seconds to wait for the turbo to spool up. Plenty of power for hill climbing in the Rocky Mountains. The sunroof is a good plus, just remember to close it when rain is coming :-). Good leg room; Im 62" and dont have the drivers seat all the way back. Im surprised at the number of design misfeatures. Controls that are impossible to read, insufficient storage space for maps, slow seat adjusters, sound system controls that lock up when its interacting with my phone, heater setting isnt honored upon car startup until the knob is moved (same for sunroof), if I try to close two windows at the same time, only one closes. Radio is impossible to understand. Navigation system is poor, I dont use it. Oil for this engine is available only at VW dealers; do NOT use Mobil1. I paid $60 for just the oil and filter for one oil change. Parts are expensive. I wont dump this car, but I wouldnt buy another. Update Nov. 2016: nothing changed, these views still stand. Update Nov. 2017: turned in to VW as part of the great Diesel emissions scandal.

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  So far, so good - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By graham_line - February 18 - 4:32 pm

  After 15 months and 17000 miles, car still feels like new. Plenty of room for two people and very comfortable on 600-700 mile days. Fuel economy is averaging in low 40s for a highway/city mix.

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  happy so far - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By willie3051 - April 14 - 5:22 pm

  This is my first VW and the 2012 Golf is impressive. The car is very comfortable and handles well. On its first long trip, I averaged 33 mpg of mostly highway miles.

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  Simply Awesome! - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By txst - April 8 - 9:32 am

  This Golf TDI is a lot of fun to drive and fits like a glove. The torque is surprisingly strong and peppy. I love the looks of this car inside and out. Who needs an ugly prius when VW offers this Golf with 45 MPG. This is the fourth VW I have purchased (I have previously owned a Jetta TDI, a Passat, and a CC) and this one just might be my favorite out of the four. I highly recommend this car.

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  Buy a GOLF!! - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By LaUN - March 6 - 3:51 pm

  This is the most fun car I have ever owned. As a die hard Honda owner, found this VW Golf on a used car lot when I had to replace my 2003 honda van. IT IS AWESOME. Ridiculous mpg and road handling. I heart this car. You should get one too.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By diggler2 - November 22 - 5:32 am

  I bought my 2012 Golf TDI brand new and I could not be happier with the car. From its handling, to its power, to its amazing fuel efficiency it is the whole package. It truly drives like a solid European car but at half the cost. I have owned Toyotas, Hondas, Jeeps, Chevys and this VW golf is by far my happiest purchase. I bought the top of the line Tech package and it is in my opinion worth the extra cost. The tech package comes with an incredible sounding Dynadio stereo as well as navigation, LED running lights, and xenon headlights. Definitely will consider purchasing another in 15 years when this one finally wears out....

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  TDI best diesel available (better than EPA) - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Richard Marks - August 12 - 2:50 pm

  Now that I am in the middle of wondering what will happen to VW over the "scandal", I would not trade, sell, nor return my car (even for a refund of full purchase price). It has been a stellar car and, even if green-weenies get their panties in a wad over the "scandal", I would keep it, drive it until the "wheels fall off" (likely to be far in excess of 250,000 miles. Excellent mileage, decent comfort, a real towing ability.

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  Drives great, economical. Media interface and customer care, not so good - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By radsm - June 15 - 12:19 pm

  We purchased the Golf TDI to be a solid feeling, fun to drive, high mileage commuter car. It has all off those attributes. It gets 40mpg combined highway and city. Its much zippier than my Passat V6, and is solid and well-built. The media interfaces, however, are very buggy. For instance, I pug in my iPhone and am listening to a track, when the bluetooth pairs with the phone. On that event, the multimedia interface dies and no sound comes out until I unplug the iPhone and re-plug it back in. This and other annoying bugs make the navigation/multimedia package a very bad deal. Customer CARE will not pass along bug reports to the QA department for fixing, so dont expect it to work ever.

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  Great ride - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By lspeed1983 - May 24 - 10:32 pm

  I purchased this car on 01/31/2012. The car now has 5.8K on the clock, so its past its first stage break-in-period. Im now averaging 39.7K overall in mixed driving, but can easily hit 48 MPG cruizing at 72 MPH @ just under 2K RMPs. I cant believe how powerful it feels while still being so fuel efficient. The shifter feels solid and well weighted, the clutch is light without being too light, and the steering is direct / tracks well. The car as a whole is vastly superior to anyother eco compact non-lux car also evident in its simple yet top-notch interior. For pure driving excitement the GTI wins hands down, but the TDI is a nice compromise that leaves me with no regrets.