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2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 147–228 hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, 7-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 32 combined · 29 city / 36 hwy
Length: –
Curb weight: –
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2020 compact car (27.3 MPG).
Strong performanceUp to 228 hp, versus about 169 hp for similar 2020 models.
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 36 highway), 17% better than the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No all-electric version any more
Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
All-wheel / four-wheel drive no longer offered

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Golf/GTI →

Trims, performance & features

Engine147 hp1.4L 4-cyl

Engine228 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Transmission8-speed automatic · 7-speed automatic · 6-speed manual

DriveFWD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

S, SE, Autobahn

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Puebla, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2020 Golf/GTI configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Golf	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 35 / 32	+17%	$2,100	280
Golf	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	28 / 36 / 31	+14%	$2,150	285
GTI	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	24 / 32 / 27	-1%	$2,500	326
GTI	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	Front-Wheel Drive	24 / 32 / 27	-1%	$2,500	327

7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

7/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.3 MPG2020 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2020 Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	13.4%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2020 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (this car)	32 MPG	★★★★★	2
2020 Toyota Corolla	52 MPG	★★★★★	6
2020 Toyota Yaris	35 MPG	★★★★★	1
2020 Subaru WRX	23 MPG	★★★★★	1
2020 Mitsubishi Mirage	39 MPG	★★★★★	0
2020 Volkswagen Jetta	34 MPG	★★★★★	6
2020 Toyota C-HR	29 MPG	★★★★★	1

Recalls (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 14, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · 261,257 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.

Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Oct 31, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V815000 · 296,044 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

6Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

17,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Electrical System2

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Engine1

Exterior Lighting1

Unknown Or Other1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 17,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Golf/GTI years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Golf/GTI	28	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Golf/GTI	27	168.9 in	Not rated	0	0
2025 Golf/GTI	27	168.9 in	Not rated	0	0
2024 Golf/GTI	27	168.9 in	Not rated	0	0
2023 Golf/GTI	28	–	Not rated	0	11
2022 Golf/GTI	28	–	Not rated	0	81
2021 Golf/GTI	33	–	★★★★★	1	7
2019 Golf/GTI	32	–	★★★★★	6	63
2018 Golf/GTI	29	–	★★★★★	6	29
2017 Golf/GTI	29	–	★★★★★	5	117
2016 Golf/GTI	29	–	Not rated	9	85
2015 Golf/GTI	35	–	Not rated	12	131

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →