Used 2017 Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A) Consumer Reviews
Used Golf for sale
My third Volkswagen Golf
LowerEastSider, Milwaukee, WI, 05/25/2017
Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
I turned in my 2014 Golf TDI (diesel powered) and bought my new 2017 TSI (gas powered). The new car is better than the old one in almost all respects. The engine is smooth and powerful. I don't miss the diesel vibration at all. It's hard to imagine anyone wanting more power. The new Golf feels less nervous and handles with greater precision than my old Golf. I also fit a little better behind the steering wheel. Trunk space is a little bit bigger than in my old Golf. I purchased the below trunk floor organizer accessory. This reduces overall trunk room somewhat, but provides hidden storage for tools and small valuable items. The radio, while very functional, does not sound as good as the radio in my 2014 Golf or in my old 2002 Golf. But it is adequate. The car driving position is a little bit low, but I have gotten used to it. I ordered the base "S" model, which is fairly well equipped, but missing heated seats and a few other items. I bought the "S" because I did not want a car with a sunroof (I'm tall). The ventilation system is exceptional, probably the best I've had in any car so far. There's just something about the way it moves air through the car. The seats are OK. They could be a little more comfortable, but they do not give me backaches. The car is a very easy car to drive, especially in city traffic.
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Too many rattles - sold at a loss
Paul A., Studio City, CA, 03/02/2017
updated 03/05/2018
Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
30 of 37 people found this review helpful
All true below, but this car was so poorly made -- five times at dealer in year and a half to correct squeaking, creaking, cracking noises from panoramic sunroof. Could never get it resolved, and despite it being a fun car to drive, overall feeling of driving a worthless piece of junk. Had to sell, and also thanks to VW, residual value dropped like a stone. Lost all my equity from previous trade-in so had almost no value now compared to loan payoff. VW in the US sucks. Maybe they're built better in Europe but this is my second VW made on this side of the ocean and it was again a rattling piece of junk made with poor quality control. ========================= This is my third VW and I love the idea of the brand, i.e., an affordable, well-made, fun-to-drive regular European car available in the US. This segment simply doesn't exist here -- we get Japanese efficiency boxes, highly reliable but dull; or expensive European luxury like Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Europeans have access to ordinary cars that perform well, carry 4-5 people, are well made, economical, and not "luxury" (VW, Peugeot, Seat etc). VW owns that entire segment in the US, so why they screw up so often with scandals and shoddy workmanship are beyond me. That said, despite the outrageous TDI error, I tried VW again after being happy with a Civic for 8 years (great car, not too fun to drive). I wanted economy this time as well, plus good seating for 4, plus more fun. New Golf seemed the trick, especially with the new turbo 4 replacing the ridiculous 5-cylinder knockbox. The Golf is built on the MQB platform, same as Audi A3 and other VW/Audi compacts. So with the turbo 4, it feels like an A3, which is fantastic. It is a traditional compact car so it feels a little old-fashioned inside, especially if you're used to the open, sweeping feel of a Civic interior. You can see VW tried very hard with lots of quality interior components -- soft-touch dashboard, leather steering wheel and shift knob, carpeted storage area in door -- yet still they messed up. The "panoramic sunroof" squeaked and rattled relentlessly for a year; had to bring it to dealer 3-4 times; once they replaced the entire glass panel (I was told the glass had been poured incorrectly) and the last time VW finally sent out a service bulletin and had a fix, a sealing tape the dealer installed that should muffle the squeaks. Still, it came back, and now I used some rubber deal lubricant I read about on a VW forum. In any case, VW really seems to shoot itself in the foot -- offering a great car at a good price, but with quality control issues that make it really unpleasant and seem like a cheap piece of junk. Given the annoyance after only one year, I'm watching with hesitation to see what breaks next. I wish I could like and trust VW, and it seems insane that owning an entire segment in the US, they would make so many mistakes. Consumer Reports is not happy with Golf's long-term reliability, so while the car is fun to drive and has many exceptional characteristics, I don't have the feeling of confidence and security in the purchase. Time will tell. I'll hope to update the review in a year or so with good news.
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2017 Volkswagen Golf for sale near you
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- TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $19,99034 mi away
- TSI Wolfsburg Edition 4dr HatchbackMSRP: N/A27 mi away
- TSI S 4dr HatchbackMSRP: N/A154 mi away
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His name is Mulligan
Midwest Josh, Grand Rapids, MI, 04/17/2020
updated 10/26/2023
Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
First, I bought a 2016 Golf with the large sunroof that always leaked. VW bought that car back, and I selected a 2017 w/o a sunroof that had been a dealership loaner. This car is perfect for 90% of drivers, 90% of the time. Solid on the road, very fast with the 1.8 turbo. Mileage is mid 30's on almost every tank. A few long road trips touched 42 mpg. Massive cargo room with the rear seats folded down. Plans are to keep Mully for 10 years, I see no reason to look for anything new. Simply a wonderful driving machine. 4/20/21 Update - just hit 60,000, and just paid off the note! Potholes in Michigan led to some recent suspension work, but otherwise the car is rock solid. Twice now I've needed to drive the 1600 miles round trip to South Carolina and back, the car makes the journey so easy. Plus it hauls a ton of stuff. I'll say it again - this car is perfect for 90% of drivers, 90% of the time. 10/2023 Update - at 109,000 miles. Have been battling a coolant leak issue, something to do with a bad gasket in the water pump. VW is reimbursing, but they should as it's been repaired 3 times. An annoying squeak around the glove box during colder months. Otherwise, still a terrific vehicle I plan to own for another 4-5 years.
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Fantastic Hatchback!
Mike, Littleton, CO, 04/19/2020
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.
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The perfect car for me!
John Pawlik, Troy, NY, 08/16/2018
Volkswagen Golf TSI S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've always liked small cars but this has a large car feel where you want it. My 1st new car was a 77 Rabbit. This has the same quickness and agility of the old one. This one is much more powerful and quiet. Both are so much fun to drive. Parking is a snap. Plenty of room for me the Mrs., the 50 lb dog and the grandson in the car seat. I was shocked to see my gas mileage was well above government ratings when I wasn't playing Mario Andretti. Highway I'm getting 40+. I just love this car...… I wanted a manual originally like my 77 rabbit but the Mrs. convinced me to get the AT. You won't be disappointed. PS... It has a CD player, a huge plus for an old man like me.
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