2017 Volkswagen Golf Review: Reliable Compact Hatchback With Reasonable Ownership Costs

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf lasts around 250,000 miles with some relatively minor sunroof and stereo issues reported. At $17,300 to $32,850, it’s a good value for shoppers looking for a small car with the convenience of a wagon.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2017 is a great year for the Volkswagen Golf since it offers a lot of practicality paired with good reliability ratings. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, technology features, along with the responsive steering.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a small car in its price range, the seats are comfortable, and the hatchback offers excellent cargo room.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no major mechanical issues reported on the 2017 Golf. Avoid models from 2015 which have some engine problems, while 2016–2021 are more reliable.
• Performance 7/10 – Performance is decent from the standard engine, which is a bit quicker than some other compact cars on the market, but still isn’t particularly fast.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2017 Golf is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control along with a lane departure warning system.
• Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 29 MPG giving 382 miles of range from the 13.2 gallon tank. Gas costs are $19 cheaper than average, at $192 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2017 VW Golf is cheaper than many other compact cars on the market, while also offering a lot of upscale features, making it a great value.

What Do Critics Say About the VW Golf?

• Consumer Reports says the 2017 VW Golf offers quality you do not usually find in a car in its price range, with high owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Golf at 4.6/5, enjoying the outstanding cargo room, but doesn’t like the slow automatic transmission.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Golf a 4.3/5, praising the very nice interior fit and finish, but owners don’t like the excessive road noise

What Common Problems Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Have?

Common problems found on the 2017 VW Golf include leaks from the panoramic sunroof, the stereo system freezing, as well as a worn out clock spring in the steering wheel. Overall, most of the problems are relatively minor for a compact car, leading to reasonable repair costs as it ages.

Leaks from the panoramic sunroof are the most widespread complaint from 2017 Golf owners at around 25,000 miles. The drain line for the sunroof is known to get clogged easily with leaves and debris, which allows the actual sunroof to leak. Cleaning out the drain line costs around $50, but if there are failed seals then they can cost hundreds to replace.

The stereo system freezing is another complaint found on the 2017 VW Golf at around 5,000 miles. There are some software updates for the stereo system which improve its reliability. Most dealers are willing to install these updates for free, while others charge around $50 for the labor to install them.

A worn out clock spring in the steering wheel has also been reported by some Golf owners at around 60,000 miles. The clock spring is the electrical connection for the airbag and steering wheel controls. Replacing the clock spring costs around $550, depending on local labor rates.

There are five recalls on the 2017 VW Golf, which is slightly worse than other compact cars from the same year. The most serious recall covers the rear coil springs, which may fracture. VW will replace the springs in affected models for free. Other recalls cover the key and air bags, which VW will also fix.

How Long Will the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Last?

A well-maintained 2017 VW Golf can last around 250,000 miles, which is slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $565 per year, primarily due to more expensive parts.

As a used 2017 VW Golf reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the air injection solenoid for $160, fuel injectors for $500, along with the engine front cover gasket which costs $575.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is great with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a more powerful stereo system.

Standard safety technology is fairly basic, offering a rearview camera.

Optional advanced driver assistance features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic headlights

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf a Good Value?

Yes, the 2017 VW Golf is a good value since it offers a lot of practicality paired with good reliability ratings. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,300 to $32,850, making it less than a Subaru Impreza or Honda Civic. When new, the price range was $19,895 to $40,475. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 7% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the VW Golf?

There are two main models of the VW Golf offered from the entry-level S to the more well-equipped Wolfsburg Edition. There are some high-performance sportier versions available as well, which are covered in other reviews.

Golf S is the entry-level model with:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Heated mirrors
• Rearview camera
• Air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Driver information display
• Height-adjustable manual front seats with power recline and manual lumbar adjustment
• Leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• 60/40-split folding rear seats with a center pass-through
• Cooled glovebox
• 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink
• Eight-speaker sound system with CD player, auxiliary audio input, USB port, HD, and satellite radio
• Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters (only with automatic transmission)

Wolfsburg Edition is a step up, adding:

• All features of the Golf S, plus:
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights and wipers
• Sunroof
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Heated front seats
• Imitation leather (premium vinyl) upholstery
• Forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

What Engines Come In the VW Golf?

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf comes with a 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering a respectable 170 horsepower while getting up to 29 MPG. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, while a five-speed manual transmission is also offered. Performance is decent, taking 7.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the VW Golf Come In?

How Comfortable Is the VW Golf?

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf has received commendations for its comfort and overall ride quality, scoring highly in both front and rear passenger comfort. The driver’s and front passenger’s seats are firm yet supportive, providing a comfortable ride even on longer journeys. They also offer a range of adjustments, allowing drivers of all shapes and sizes to find their optimal driving position. The optional power-adjustable seats, available in some trim levels, enhance comfort even further.

In the rear, the Golf offers ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, which is somewhat of a rarity in the compact car segment. The seats are well-padded and contoured for comfort, making the Golf suitable for family trips or chauffeuring adult passengers.

How Much Storage Space Does the VW Golf Have?

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf offers a surprising amount of storage space given its compact size. Behind the rear seats, it provides a generous 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space. This is a significant amount for a hatchback in the compact class, which can comfortably accommodate a wide range of items, from a week’s worth of groceries for a family of four to large suitcases for a weekend getaway.

Furthermore, if you need more room for larger items like a bicycle or a piece of flat-pack furniture, the Golf shows its flexibility. By folding down the 60/40 split rear seats, you can expand the cargo space to a sizable 52.7 cubic feet. That’s plenty of room to carry your camping gear or multiple large boxes.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The seventh generation of the VW Golf was introduced for the 2015 model year.

2015: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new engines, styling, and technology.

2016: New standard 5-inch touchscreen, and optional 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2017: Two-door Golf models have been discontinued, SE and SEL models replaced by Wolfsburg Edition.

2018: Minor exterior styling changes, new standard stereo system, SE model is now the flagship.

2019: New turbocharged 1.4L engine replaces 1.8L, upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission, more standard active safety features.

2020: Lineup changed to have a single trim, 8-inch touchscreen removed from lineup, standard WiFi hotspot.

2021: No major changes, and the final year of production for this generation of the Golf.

How Does the VW Golf Compare to the Competition?

The 2017 VW Golf is a very nice compact hatchback, offering the versatility of plenty of storage room while still being a comfortable and small vehicle that works great in larger cities.

The VW Jetta is another car offered by Volkswagen which costs around $1,000 less. Steering is more responsive in the VW Jetta, while the VW Golf offers more cargo space with its hatchback. We recommend the VW Golf since it’s a bit more practical, but it’s worth test driving both to see which you prefer.

The Honda CR-V is a small SUV which is available for about $3,500 more. Where the CR-V stands out is with better performance in the snow and dirt, while the VW Golf fits better in tight parking spots. We recommend the Honda CR-V since it offers more cargo and passenger room, but both are nice choices.

Do Owners Recommend the Volkswagen Golf?