Volkswagen Golf gets great mpg, even in the left lane

The Volkswagen Golf has been around for so long and been recognized so often for its excellence, let’s just call it the automotive equivalent of Pete Carroll.

For 2015 the five-passenger, compact Golf hatchback has been enlarged a bit but lost some weight, gained some upscale features as standard equipment, had its front wheels moved forward a touch, and been given engine upgrades.

There’s a choice between two Golf versions, defined by their turbocharged engines: The TSI, powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, and the TDI, with a 2.0-liter Clean Diesel four-cylinder. Horsepower and torque ratings for the TSI are 170 and 199 lb-ft; and for the TDI, 150 and 236 lb-ft.

My tester, the Golf TDI, is the high miles per gallon champion of the two, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Real-world driving validates and even exceeds those numbers. After putting 420 miles on the odometer, my mpg average was 44. Most of those were freeway miles, but it wasn’t right-lane driving, hunched over with mouth slightly ajar. It was left-lane driving and not blocking any traffic, if you get my drift. Stories from other auto writers who drove the TDI less formidably have reported averages as high as 49 mpg.

Except for the TDI badge at the back of the car, you wouldn’t know it’s a diesel, because there’s none of the noise or smell most people associate with diesel engines.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Golf TDI. A six-speed automatic is available for an extra $1,100. My tester had the manual gearbox, a work of art with perfect shifting and a light clutch. However, for the best fuel efficiency, the TDI’s gearshift instruction feature (in the gauge cluster) gives an “eco tip” notice to up-shift when revs get to a point I don’t consider anywhere near high. The recommended up-shifts result in low rpm numbers, of course, but the engine must be OK with that if VW is encouraging it.

The new Golf’s exterior styling has been modified enough to update the car’s looks without completely destroying the trademark boxiness millions of buyers have embraced. Horizontal and vertical lines are still there, a successful formula that has kept old Golfs looking great when other old cars are generating jokes.

Space inside the new passenger cabin is bountiful and build quality is fantastic. The overall look is clean and uncluttered (a Volkswagen trademark) and cheap materials were boycotted. A hallelujah moment happened when I discovered power adjustment for the driver’s seat back instead of the big manual knob that has also been a VW trademark, beloved by no one.

Standard equipment highlights of my tester, the mid-range SE trim level (S and SEL are the others), included a power panoramic sunroof, Fender premium audio system, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, heated front seats, and fog lights.

The one optional item was a Driver Assistance Package ($695) adding park distance control and a forward collision warning system.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI SE

Base price, including destination charge: $26,315

Price as driven: $27,010

Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Black Press Media operates Sound Publishing, the largest community news organization in Washington State with dailies and community news outlets in Alaska.
Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership

Black Press Media, which operates Sound Publishing, completed its sale Monday (March 25), following the formerly announced corporate restructuring.

Maygen Hetherington, executive director of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, laughs during an interview in her office on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maygen Hetherington: tireless advocate for the city of Snohomish

Historic Downtown Snohomish Association receives the Opportunity Lives Here award from Economic Alliance.

FILE - Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs poses in front of photos of the 15 people who previously held the office on Nov. 22, 2021, after he was sworn in at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Hobbs faces several challengers as he runs for election to the office he was appointed to last fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’

Hobbs, a former Lake Stevens senator, is the recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Mark Duffy poses for a photo in his office at the Mountain Pacific Bank headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mark Duffy: Building a hometown bank; giving kids an opportunity

Mountain Pacific Bank’s founder is the recipient of the Fluke Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Barb Tolbert poses for a photo at Silver Scoop Ice Cream on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Barb Tolbert: Former mayor piloted Arlington out of economic brink

Tolbert won the Elson S. Floyd Award, honoring a leader who has “created lasting opportunities” for the underserved.

Photo provided by 
Economic Alliance
Economic Alliance presented one of the Washington Rising Stem Awards to Katie Larios, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award

Katie Larios was honored at an Economic Alliance gathering: “A champion for other young women of color in STEM.”

The Westwood Rainier is one of the seven ships in the Westwood line. The ships serve ports in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Asia. (Photo provided by Swire Shipping)
Westwood Shipping Lines, an Everett mainstay, has new name

The four green-hulled Westwood vessels will keep their names, but the ships will display the Swire Shipping flag.

A Keyport ship docked at Lake Union in Seattle in June 2018. The ship spends most of the year in Alaska harvesting Golden King crab in the Bering Sea. During the summer it ties up for maintenance and repairs at Lake Union. (Keyport LLC)
In crabbers’ turbulent moment, Edmonds seafood processor ‘saved our season’

When a processing plant in Alaska closed, Edmonds-based business Keyport stepped up to solve a “no-win situation.”

Angela Harris, Executive Director of the Port of Edmonds, stands at the port’s marina on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Leadership, love for the Port of Edmonds got exec the job

Shoring up an aging seawall is the first order of business for Angela Harris, the first woman to lead the Edmonds port.

The Cascade Warbirds fly over Naval Station Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald file)
Bothell High School senior awarded $2,500 to keep on flying

Cascade Warbirds scholarship helps students 16-21 continue flight training and earn a private pilot’s certificate.

Rachel Gardner, the owner of Musicology Co., a new music boutique record store on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. Musicology Co. will open in February, selling used and new vinyl, CDs and other music-related merchandise. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Edmonds record shop intends to be a ‘destination for every musician’

Rachel Gardner opened Musicology Co. this month, filling a record store gap in Edmonds.

MyMyToyStore.com owner Tom Harrison at his brick and mortar storefront on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burst pipe permanently closes downtown Everett toy store

After a pipe flooded the store, MyMyToystore in downtown Everett closed. Owner Tom Harrison is already on to his next venture.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.