2014 Volkswagen Golf Review

Name: 2014 Volkswagen Golf
Brand: Volkswagen
Rating: 4.7 (61 reviews)

Price Range: $4,405 - $12,790

2013 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback Exterior

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33 cars

$8,383 avg. price

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Appraise My 2014 Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf model years

Volkswagen Golf for Sale

Volkswagen Golf types

Hatchback
Diesel

Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Class-leading cabin quality
fuel-efficient, torque-rich diesel engine
versatile hatchback design
adult-sized backseat
excellent road manners.

Cons

Inefficient base gasoline engine
diesel version can get pricey
no Bluetooth on base 2.5L model.

What’s new

All 2014 VW Golfs come with four doors, as the two-door body style has been discontinued. The 2.5L model is no longer offered with a manual transmission. Also, the 2.5L Convenience package has been discontinued, as has the desirable TDI Tech package.

Edmunds says

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf may be in its final year of production, but it's still one of the most rewarding compact cars on the market.

For sale near Ashburn, VA

33 listings

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2014 Volkswagen Golf
TDI 4dr Hatchback
$7,995
- 106,222 miles
- Frame damage reported, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 30 City / 42 Hwy MPG
- Main Street Motors (8 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
***** All MainStreet Motors vehicles are coming with 6 Months of warranty and it works in all states ***** *** 2014 Volkswagen Golf an Excellent condi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
34 Combined MPG (30 City/42 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WVWDM7AJ1EW010692
Stock: 010692
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-21-2025
Price Drop
2014 Volkswagen Golf
2.5L PZEV 4dr Hatchback
$4,405
good price
$804 below market
- 157,938 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 23 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- Lovettsville Auto, Inc (19 mi away)
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
Close
Located in Lovettsville, VA
Volkswagen Golf This Volkswagen Golf is ready to roll today and is the perfect Hatchback for you. The interior of this beautiful Volkswagen Golf is co...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (23 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WVWDB7AJ4EW007548
Stock: 00680
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-03-2025

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Vehicle overview

Some cars limp down the home stretch, but the 2014 Volkswagen Golf is still in full stride. Although a new, fully redesigned VW Golf hatchback will debut next year, the current Golf remains a desirable pick in its class. It takes a pretty special car to pull this off -- the BMW 3 Series has made a habit of it, but it's hard to think of other examples. Bottom line, Volkswagen got most things right with this Golf, and we'll be sad to see it go.

OK, well, there is one thing that we won't miss at all: the Golf's standard 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Rated at just 26 mpg combined with the now-mandatory automatic transmission, the 2.5's fuel economy pales in comparison to the engines in the VW's main rivals. But opt for the admittedly pricey TDI model and you'll get a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder that delivers plenty of low-end power and an impressive EPA rating of 34 mpg combined (including 42 mpg highway).

In practically every other respect, the 2014 Golf is a winner. It drives down the road with a solid, European feel that's unusual for a small car like this. You'll also be pleased with the upscale interior that wouldn't look out of place in an Audi. The backseat is exceptionally adult-friendly, accommodating two 6-footers with unexpected ease. Similarly, just fold down those rear seats and the Golf's relatively boxy shape is ideal for loading up bulky items.

As accomplished as the Golf is, certain competitors also merit strong consideration. Chief among them is the redesigned 2014 Mazda 3, which approaches the VW in cabin quality -- albeit with a more cramped backseat -- and offers sharper handling reflexes. The 2014 Ford Focus mostly mirrors the Mazda's pros and cons, and the 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT is a stylish, well-rounded entrant with a strong value proposition. Within this group, though, we're pleased to see that this old favorite is finishing strong.

Performance & mpg

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L is motivated by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. In states with California emissions, this engine can be classified with the partial-zero-emissions vehicles (PZEV) tailpipe standard. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 26 mpg combined (23 mpg city/30 mpg highway), which is considerably less efficient than the Golf's primary rivals.

The Golf TDI gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder that puts out a modest 140 hp but a robust 236 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a six-speed automated manual (DSG) is optional. In Edmunds performance testing, a Golf TDI with the conventional manual cantered from zero to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy with either transmission is excellent at 34 mpg combined (30 mpg city/42 mpg highway).

Safety

Standard safety features for the 2014 Volkswagen Golf include traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, a Golf TDI stopped from 60 mph in 121 feet -- a solid showing for this segment.

In crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Golf received the highest possible score of "Good" in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Its seat/head-restraint design was also rated "Good" for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

Driving

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf's tidy dimensions and supple, well-controlled ride make it a perfect around-town runabout, but it's a different animal on the highway. You don't expect a compact hatchback to command the road like this. High-speed stability is impeccable, and although tire noise is a frequent companion, it's modest by class standards. The Golf isn't quite as self-assured on twisty roads (the Mazda 3 and Focus outdo it here) but there's respectable athleticism to be found if you're looking for it.

In the engine room, the base 2.5 serves up sprightly acceleration when you get on it, but its fuel economy and lack of refinement are real drawbacks. The TDI, on the other hand, comes up aces, providing stellar fuel economy along with great drivability thanks to all that torque. It pairs well to either the easy-to-use manual transmission or the automated, quick-shifting DSG. The DSG does exhibit a noticeable delay between the time the gas pedal is pressed and when the engine actually responds, but most owners get used to this behavior in time. There's a similar story with the Golf's brakes, where a committed effort to press the pedal is more confidence-inspiring than a casual one.

Interior

There aren't many small cars that impart a genuinely premium vibe from behind the wheel, but the Golf has been doing it for years. Low-gloss, high-quality materials spruce up the dashboard and door panels, while restrained lines and classy color combinations make the cabin seem more mature than most. There are a couple downsides, including a lack of useful interior storage and the navigation system's small screen, which makes it harder to view the map and limits its overall usefulness.

The 2014 Golf's front seats are a highlight, delivering firm support along with driver and passenger height adjustability: a rarity in this class. And if backseat space is a priority, don't be fooled by the compact exterior. Even with tall adults situated up front, there's room in back for a couple full-size passengers, making the Golf a wonderfully space-efficient alternative to today's hefty family sedans. Behind the rear seats, the cargo area measures 15.2 cubic feet; fold down the 60/40-split rear seatbacks and you've got an impressive 46 cubes.

2014 Volkswagen Golf models

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf is a five-passenger hatchback offered solely with four doors this year. There are two trim levels, 2.5L and TDI, indicating the selected engine. The performance-oriented GTI is reviewed separately.

Standard equipment on the base 2.5L includes 15-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power-reclining front seats, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The 2.5L Convenience & Sunroof package adds a sunroof, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, iPod/USB integration, a touchscreen interface and satellite radio.

The well-equipped Golf TDI starts with the 2.5L's standard features and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a lowered sport-tuned suspension, foglights and the contents of the Convenience & Sunroof package except the sunroof.

The TDI Sunroof & Navigation package adds, yessiree Bob, the sunroof and a navigation system. All Golfs can also be equipped with a sport body kit that includes a rear spoiler (also available separately).

Compare 2014 Volkswagen Golf trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$131/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Reliability

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #26 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#26 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$459/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

1.1x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

10.1%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

5 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 19V862000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 69R6,69Q8,
Manufactured from:: 2010-06-16 to 2013-10-02
Number of vehicles affected:: 226
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Defect Consequence:: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. 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 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

Recall Number:: 18V329000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 01C5/01C6
Manufactured from:: 2011-02-16 to 2015-04-02
Number of vehicles affected:: 252
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Defect Consequence:: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 13, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Recall Number:: 18V148000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 69Q9
Manufactured from:: 2006-11-02 to 2009-05-13
Number of vehicles affected:: 51352
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2011 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan, and 2007-2010 Passat Wagon vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Defect Consequence:: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 15, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Recall Number:: 16V078000
Number of vehicles affected:: 659493
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf and Jetta SportWagen, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2010-2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Defect Consequence:: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Recall Number:: 15V483000
Manufactured from:: 2011-02-28 to 2014-02-26
Number of vehicles affected:: 420000
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.7

61 reviews

5(77%)

4(20%)

3(1%)

2(2%)

1(0%)

See all 61 reviews of the Volkswagen Golf

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

happy so far

willie3051, 03/02/2012

2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

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

I love this car

fxgolf, 09/26/2011

2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 2dr Hatchback w/Tech Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6M)

I have owned and driven almost everything that moves. I am a car guy I love them all. My last VW was a 2004 1.8t GTI and i loved that one alot but this new Golf TDi is an absolute blast to drive, throw it into a corner and it just sticks very well for a stock car. the power of the lil Diesel is very nice pulls super hard in 1st and 2nd, nice even power throughout the entire shifting …

3K mi in - 2 months

j33ie, 11/30/2012

2013 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)

I did my homework to get my wife an economical car that would be an upgrade to her horrid corolla. Went with the TDI due to its track history. Fuel economy is better than EPA estimates. Driving it is smooth, fun and flawless. My wife loves to push its acceleration abilities. Handles brilliantly. Brakes are solid. The displays are great and intuitive. Bluetooth audio is pretty sweet as …

Above average car

na121w, 01/21/2012

2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI 4dr Hatchback w/Tech Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6AM)

I have had this car for about 6 months so far having put 5000 miles on it. I saw many reviews on here that reflected the car returned an average MPG rating of over 44 mpg. My average since i have owned the car is 35mpg. While not as high as other have claimed it is still very good and higher than the 34mpg EPA estimate. Car is fun to drive for a fwd economy car. Only issue I have …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2014 Volkswagen Golf, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf since its last redesign.

2014 Golf Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

2.5L PZEV

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$19,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$131/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Golf include:

Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover12.1%

2014 Volkswagen Golf Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Ashburn, VA

2014 Volkswagen GolfTDI 4dr Hatchback

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2014 Volkswagen Golf2.5L PZEV 4dr Hatchback

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Vehicle overview

Performance & mpg

Safety

Driving

Interior

2014 Volkswagen Golf models

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

happy so far

I love this car

3K mi in - 2 months

Above average car

2014 Golf Highlights

Safety

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2014 Volkswagen Golf
TDI 4dr Hatchback

2014 Volkswagen Golf
2.5L PZEV 4dr Hatchback