2018 Volkswagen Golf
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is a compact car, rated at 29 MPG combined by the EPA, with a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year.

- Combined MPG
- 29
- NHTSA safety
- Starting price
- $24,000
- Recalls
- 6
Watch: Golf reviews
Full specifications
Identity
SRC · NHTSA vPIC| Make | Volkswagen |
|---|---|
| Model | Golf |
| Model year | 2018 |
| Vehicle class | Compact Car |
Engine & drivetrain
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Displacement | 1.8 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City MPG | 25 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 34 |
| Combined MPG | 29 |
| CO₂ tailpipe | 309 g/mi |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2150 |
Available configurations
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Golf | 28 MPG combined |
|---|---|
| Golf | 29 MPG combined |
| Golf Alltrack | 25 MPG combined |
| Golf Alltrack | 24 MPG combined |
| Golf R | 25 MPG combined |
| Golf R | 24 MPG combined |
| Golf SportWagen | 28 MPG combined |
| Golf SportWagen | 29 MPG combined |
| Golf SportWagen 4motion | 24 MPG combined |
| Golf SportWagen 4motion | 25 MPG combined |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City | 25 MPG |
|---|---|
| Highway | 34 MPG |
| Combined | 29 MPG |
Efficiency vs class average
About 8% below the class average.
- Amount financed
- $21,600
- Total interest
- $3,758
Partner offers · may earn us a commission
≈ $1,386/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal
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Cost to own
Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.
Safety ratings & recalls
SRC · NHTSA vPIC- Overall
- Frontal crash
- Side crash
- Rollover
Recalls (6)
- STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE18V464000 · 2018-07-11
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER18V369000 · 2018-06-01
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
- SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS19V188000 · 2019-03-06
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE19V615000 · 2019-08-22
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
- EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS20V372000 · 2020-06-24
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE24V110000 · 2024-02-14
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MPG of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is EPA-rated at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway).
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.
How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including 4 stars in the frontal crash test.
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
At 12,000 miles per year, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf costs roughly $1,386 per year to fuel, or about $6,931 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.
What type of vehicle is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is classified as a compact car. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.
Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC