Used 2017 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Reviews
Used Golf for sale
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Golf, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf since its last redesign.
Fantastic Value
Satisfied Golf Owner, 04/08/2018
2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car because I needed something both comfortable and fun to drive. I was initially shopping for a GTI, but opted for the Golf instead because it has more comfortable seats. Very happy with my purchase after 14 months and 6000 miles. The car is a pleasure to drive; the 5 speed is a lot of fun to shift and the turbocharged engine provides plenty of power for passing and merging. The steering is precise and the car handles well. The suspension is well balanced, being stiff enough to provide secure handling, yet soft enough to absorb pot hole impacts. Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple Car Play all work well. The car has two screens, one in the center console and the other in the center of the instrument cluster. Having two screens comes in handy when you are using Apple Car Play for navigation and need to, at the same time, change radio stations or call back a recent number. Note for car buyers suffering from hip/back pain. This car has very well placed pedals, that is, the brake pedal is significantly more to the right than it would be in a Honda. This means that you stretch less to reach the brake pedal. For some people this will translate into less hip and/or back pain.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Nice little city car
Andrei Smirnov, 06/20/2016
updated 12/20/2017
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
2016 golf looks very clean, distiller almost. In general the ride is very enjoyable: plush and quite. Ride wise my two biggest complains are: cornering and handling uneven pavement on stock 15" wheels/tire is entirely unpredictable, the car tilts and bobs diagonally at highway speed at times. The second complain is down-shifting of an automatic transmission: especially at lower gears, when downshift occurred the sound and the vibration comming from transmission is to much, almost feels as some sort of malfunction.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2017 Volkswagen Golf for sale near you
Showing 3 of 14 listings
- TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $11,96385 mi away
- TSI S 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $13,99875 mi away
- TSI SEL 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $18,695108 mi away
See all 14 listings
Quick and Comfortable
Jim Johnson, 05/17/2018
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI SE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The 2016 Golf is small, agile, quick, and comfortable, except for one small thing (four small things, actually): the doors. After having driven 2-door GTIs for thirty-one years, shoe-horning myself into the Golf is a challenge. Before buying the Golf, I paid CarMax $800 to ship a two-door 2016 GTI across country since I'd been happy with GTIs. But the ride on the 18-inch wheels was a lot harsher than on the 17-inch wheels of my previous GTI, so I bought the Golf instead.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
1st Month - No buyer's remorse yet - LOL
New Golfer, 09/27/2016
updated 09/29/2017
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI SE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Got a '16 SE on closeout. Had I been able to get it with a manual, I'd be supremely happy, as I'd say the only flaw in this otherwise fine machine is the odd and irritating shifting of the auto transmission. The computer and I are rarely in agreement. I find it to be over-eager to upshift and then lug (esp. on an incline) at 900 RPM or so, and in so doing, the normally peppy demeanor of the car is lost. It also seems to get confused when coasting, downshifting as one decelerates, only to then think the revs are too high and upshift again, and then back again. This issue aside, I continue to be impressed with the Golf's able handling, surprisingly good noise isolation for such a small car, firm seats, logical controls, clean design and other general German virtues. Just wish I could have gotten the SE's 17" rims and leather seats on the S, OR a manual tranny on the SE. But ultimately my aversion to the S's 15" rims outweighed my desire for a manual transmission (not available on the SE). One year on and, with the only exception of the oddly programmed automatic transmission, I remain very pleased with this car. Took a 2,600 mile road trip this summer, and it proved a worthy travel companion.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Fantastic Hatchback!
Mike, 04/19/2020
2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I got my 2017 Golf S in April 2018 & it has been fantastic! I’ve put 20,000 miles on it in 2 years with no problems. Living in Oklahoma, I’ve driven it to Cleveland, OH, then to Phoenix, AZ & Riverside, CA. This car is very comfortable on the interstate, back highways & city streets. I’ve been surprised by power this Golf has. While I averaged 39.7 on the trips, it’s been getting 30-35 mpg combined, depending on traffic. Wind also has an outsized effect on mileage. It is extremely easy to park. Even though most people think it would be, cargo space is not an issue. I put a new lawn mower, still in the box, in the back without having to put the back seats down. I grew up with a ‘67 VW Westphalia Camper van, ‘70 Squareback wagon & ‘74 Beetle that I bought from my folks. Since then I’ve owned a German spec ‘76 Scirocco, ‘99 Passat, now the ‘17 Golf. Of all these, while the others were right for that time, the Golf is by far the most utilitarian & most efficient.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Simply BEST in Class!
Alock, 12/11/2016
2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This will be my 5th VW (4 prior Jetta's 1-Base Model, 1-GLX, 1-GLI & 1-TDI) This is my favorite. Why? Because what you receive for you hard-earned money & in my case the Wolfsburg Edition Golf. I picked up mine yesterday afternoon after ordering the M/T in Tornado Red with Black interior. I'm only 200 miles in, but I'm in love. What's not to like? Peppy engine, solid fuel economy, fun to drive, insane interior quality, excellent internal technology & of course the price. This automobile is pretty loaded overall. The TDI scandal worked in my favor. After returning my vehicle, I received a check on the spot, turned around & gave it back to VW & paid cash for the rest. Oh & right now VW has a $1000 customer loyalty program right now. Consider my review semi-biased, but do yourself a favor & look @ what the 2017 Golf has to offer. It's a winner
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Exceptional Golf
Happy buyer, 05/10/2016
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car's handling far exceeded my expectation. Awesome acceleration! Purchased base S automatic in white. Installed aftermarket leather and tinted windows. The car looks fantastic! Got a great deal from VW Royal in San Francisco from James!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Fantastic Car For The Money
CheapoYromantico, 07/09/2020
2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought this car 3 years ago and now have about 39k miles. We chose the 2017 Golf Wolfsburg Edition because it included all the advanced safety features - emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning, etc.- in a low-cost car. The bonuses: Incredible performance, keyless entry/ ignition, and a sunroof included! This is a highly refined car as VW has been making it for so long. It is quiet and handles well, yet the suspension is not at all harsh. There are a few features that the German engineering makes confusing, but ultimately you realize is better than the standard way of doing things. Downside? You pay for all that performance with gas milage below other small cars. We average 27mpg; 31-32 on longer trips. Not bad, but not great, either. On the other hand, we're fairly aggressive drivers. (Freeways = 75-80 mph....) The only problems we've had are that a headlight and license plate bulb gave out at 36k miles. The squareback design gives quite a bit of storage (especially with the split fold-down backseat) compared to other hatchbacks. An excellent car. Highly recommended!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent Car
Joe, 09/08/2020
updated 03/31/2025
2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought the Golf TSI S model in 2016. I selected the 2-door, with a 5-speed manual. It is now 2025 and 123,000 miles later. This car has been an absolute pleasure to own. I use premium fuel, and it easily gets 40 mpg hwy. Smooth, responsive, handling at all speeds, even with 15" wheels! After 8 years of ownership the only negatives I can identify is a blind spot over my left shoulder, which is common with small hatchbacks. Also, my right knee touches the large center console. That is it. Car is nimble around town with a micro turning radius. It is not super zippy like a Honda Civic or Mazda 3. Instead, this car is geared for highway travel, which is amazing for a small car. It rides very stable at 75 mph, with lots of power for passing. Quiet at high speed and the engine is nowhere near winding out like Honda or Mazda would be. There have been 3 recalls: clock spring and fuel tank pump twice. Dealer took care of these. Bottom line: If they still offered this car I would absolutely buy a new one today. If you are considering a used 2016, buy it. It is a very well made car. I don't know how the automatic has held up, but the manual is a winner.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Dub Life!
Ben M, 03/14/2018
2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI SE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I focused my car search on the Golf to replace my Jeep Patriot. While I appreciated the Jeep's 4WD, the trade-offs in my mileage on my long commute, loud interior, and questionable fit and finish led me to look at a replacement. Having sold Audi's in the past, I was very familiar with the VW and Audi brands and knew that they provided a very high level of fit and finish, and overall quality that I would appreciate on my commute. Although the 2018s had all the additional safety tech available/standard, they looked a bit boring compared to the 2017 SE. Main selling point for me was the Fender audio system and the sunroof, and given the leftover deals on the 17s it worked out very well. Compared to my older Acura ILX, the Golf blows it out of the water in terms of ride quality, NVH, rear seat room, and even the ELS audio system. Fender is 10/10. Cargo space is pretty good, as is rear seat room. It obviously isn't a Passat, but the Golf makes a great all-around replacement for a smaller SUV/CUV like my Jeep. The gas mileage so far has been stellar.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value