Used 2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM) Consumer Reviews
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QUICK AND FUEL EFFICIENT...but DSG confused.
dankocke, Saint Louis, MO, 06/15/2012
Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I traded a 2011 Optima Turbo and don't miss the 270hp at all. The diesel torque is Fantasitic for spirited driving. My mileage has been around 39 mpg with A/C. The trip computer is off by as much as 4 mpg. I have 2000 miles on it and filled up 5 times. Only Issue: DSG can make your passengers feel ill because it is Jerky/seems confused when you first start out. Make sure to have all people in the car for test drive. Otherwise, the car has plenty of space for 2 adults and 2 kids. Backseat has actually more legroom than you realize by looking at it.... the footwells in the front are so deep you can easily move the seats up and still have room for the folks up front and back.
Great car . . . BUT
volkswagon123, Westerville, OH, 06/13/2012
Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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). There's 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.
Efficient, sort of zippy, lots of minor annoyances
Topher Eliot, Englewood, CO, 11/18/2015
updated 11/20/2017
Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
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; I'm 6'2" and don't have the driver's seat all the way back. I'm 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 it's interacting with my phone, heater setting isn't 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 don't 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 won't dump this car, but I wouldn't 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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A proper long term review
Matt, 12/27/2019
Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I was in the market for an economical daily driver and i ended up with a TDI Golf. It currently has 160,000 and it still feels nearly as refined as my BMW 335i weekend toy. Never had major mechanical problems. It starts fine at -20C, colder than that and it will have difficulty but that's given since its a diesel. The range is phenomenal. I was in the market for a Toyota given their reputation for reliability but the interior and performance of this Golf was far better, while still being a reliable car. The interior is no BMW but at its price point its top notch, excellent fit and finish. Mine has the DSG transmission and its great, it seamlessly changes gear at the right time. Since its my first ever diesel car i was expecting it to be rough, slow, and loud but its the complete opposite. Once up to temperature the engine runs very smoothly, the acceleration is decent and almost similar to a GTI i once owned, cabin noise is extremely low. Speaking of my GTI, the one i owned was a complete lemon and this TDI made me forgive Volkswagen.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value