“Spacious 4 door hatchback with a manual transmission and Apple Carplay that's fun to drive and has good gas mileage.”
2017 Volkswagen Golf: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The biggest change for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf is the arrival of the Golf Alltrack, a raised wagon with standard all-wheel drive and an Off-Road driving mode. The rest of the seventh-generation Golf family receives targeted trim, traction, and safety updates rather than a full redesign.
About the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
7th-generation Golf family (Mk7) in the U.S.; hatchback is a mid-cycle, pre-facelift year, SportWagen is still early in its run, and Golf Alltrack is the first U.S. model year.
Volkswagen positions the Golf family as the compact car for people who want one vehicle to do many jobs well. The core pitch is a polished cabin, strong cargo flexibility, a turbo engine that feels more eager than many economy cars, and road manners that feel more solid and composed than the class norm. In hatchback form it is tidy and practical; in SportWagen and Alltrack form it adds small-SUV usefulness without the bulk.
The 2017 Golf family spans a practical hatchback, the cargo-friendly SportWagen, and the new raised Alltrack wagon. Most versions use a 1.8-liter turbo engine and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Wolfsburg Edition adds everyday comforts such as a sunroof, heated synthetic-leather seats, and keyless start, while SEL versions emphasize navigation, automatic climate control, and a power driver’s seat.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The new Golf Alltrack uses standard all-wheel drive and adds an Off-Road driving mode. The SportWagen lineup also includes the S 4Motion, pairing the entry wagon trim with all-wheel drive.
Structural
The Golf Alltrack joins the family as a raised wagon, broadening the lineup without changing the underlying seventh-generation Golf platform.
Safety
A rearview camera becomes standard throughout the SportWagen range. The SportWagen SEL gains standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Tech
The new Wolfsburg Edition hatchback sits above the S with a sunroof, heated synthetic-leather seats, keyless start, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The prior TSI Limited Edition leaves the lineup.
2017 Volkswagen Golf specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8L | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt / Manual, 6-Spd / Auto, 6-Spd TiP SportMode | Manual, 6-Spd / Auto, 6-Spd TiP SportMode / Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt | Automatic, 6-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic / Auto, 6-Spd TiP SportMode / Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt | Auto, 6-Spd DSG TiP SportMode | Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | AWD / FWD | AWD / FWD | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22–25 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30–35 mpg | 30–35 mpg | 30–35 mpg | 32 mpg | 35 mpg |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | |
| Trunk/Cargo | 52.7–66.5 cu-ft | 52.7–66.5 cu-ft | 52.7–66.5 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft | 52.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic Headlights | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Cruise Control | |||||
| Hill Start Assist | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Traction Control | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| HID Headlights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2017 Volkswagen Golf?
The biggest change is the new Golf Alltrack. It is a raised Golf wagon with standard all-wheel drive and an Off-Road mode for loose or uneven surfaces.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf a redesign?
No. The 2017 Golf remains part of the seventh-generation Golf family. Its updates center on the new Alltrack, revised trim choices, broader all-wheel-drive coverage, and selected safety equipment.
How did the 2017 Golf hatchback trim lineup change?
The Wolfsburg Edition joins the 2017 hatchback lineup above the S, while the TSI Limited Edition leaves. Wolfsburg models include a sunroof, heated synthetic-leather seats, keyless start, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
What safety equipment changed on the 2017 Golf SportWagen?
Every 2017 SportWagen gets a standard rearview camera. The SEL also gains standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Which 2017 Volkswagen Golf models have all-wheel drive?
All-wheel drive is standard on every 2017 Golf Alltrack. The SportWagen S 4Motion also combines the regular wagon body with all-wheel drive.
2017 Volkswagen Golf Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf.
4.3
2017 Volkswagen Golf
(1,012 reviews)
“I love my vehicle. It's smaller but has great cargo space, the interior is gorgeous, the back row fits my toddler's car seat wonderfully. I love how updated it is.”
“The mk7 gti is hands down the best car I've ever owned. Had it 6 months and the amount you can do to this car for so little cost is insane. It really wakes the car up with a tune and a downpipe”