“It's a great all a rounder. Well balanced in all respect. Great power at usable range.”
2018 Volkswagen Golf: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf gets a mid-cycle refresh, led by updated front and rear styling. Larger touchscreens, broader LED lighting, more standard convenience and safety equipment, and a simpler hatchback trim lineup round out the changes.
About the 2018 Volkswagen Golf
7th-generation Golf family (Mk7/Mk7.5 in US-market terms), mid-cycle refresh year for the Golf hatchback, Golf SportWagen, and Golf Alltrack.
Volkswagen markets the Golf family as a compact range that can be fun, practical, and versatile at the same time. The regular Golf is the city-friendly hatch with a polished cabin and flexible cargo area, the SportWagen stretches that idea into wagon usefulness, and the Alltrack adds more bad-weather and light dirt-road confidence. Across all of them, the core draw is the same: tidy size, turbocharged power, upscale interior design, and useful space without moving up to a bulky SUV.
The S is the straightforward daily-driver version, with a 1.8-liter turbo engine, smartphone connectivity, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The S 4Motion pairs the wagon body with all-wheel drive and heated front seats, while SE models add an 8-inch touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and more safety equipment. At the top of the wagon lineup, the SEL adds navigation, premium audio, dual-zone climate control, and a power-adjustable driver's seat.
What changed, by category
Styling
The Golf hatchback, SportWagen, and Alltrack received updated grilles, bumpers, and lighting details. LED daytime running lights and LED taillights became standard across the gas-powered Golf family.
Tech
The base touchscreen grew to 6.5 inches, while SE and SEL models moved to 8-inch screens. Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers also spread to entry trims.
Safety
Automatic emergency braking became standard on S and SE trims. SE hatchback and SportWagen models also gained standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while upper trims received more standard driver-assistance equipment.
2018 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, 1.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd / Automatic. 6-Spd w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode | Manual, 6-Spd / Automatic. 6-Spd w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode | Auto, 6-Spd w/Tiptronic / Automatic. 6-Spd w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode | Automatic, 6-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode |
| Drivetrain | AWD / FWD | AWD / FWD | AWD / FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21–25 mpg | 21–25 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30–34 mpg | 30–34 mpg | 30–33 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | 184–199 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 53.7–66.5 cu-ft | 53.7–66.5 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Hill Start Assist | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Traction Control | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| 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 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
The biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh with revised front and rear styling. The 2018 Golf family also received wider use of LED lighting, larger touchscreens, and more standard convenience and safety equipment.
Did the 2018 Volkswagen Golf get a new engine?
No, the gas-powered 2018 Golf family kept its 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and existing transmissions. The main updates were styling, screens, lighting, safety equipment, and trim organization.
What touchscreen does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have?
The 2018 Golf S has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL models have 8-inch touchscreens. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included on the featured Golf trims.
What safety equipment changed on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
Automatic emergency braking became standard on the 2018 Golf S and SE. SE hatchback and SportWagen models also received standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and upper trims gained more standard driver-assistance equipment.
How did the Golf trim lineup change for 2018?
The regular 2018 Golf hatchback lineup was simplified around S and SE trims, and the Wolfsburg Edition was dropped. SEL continued as the fully equipped trim on the wagon side of the broader Golf family.
2018 Volkswagen Golf Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf.
4.3
2018 Volkswagen Golf
(393 reviews)
“Best combination of sportiness, high tech, practical, economical, at reasonable price”
“It is a nice handling vehicle, economic, fun to drive with good safety features and hopefully it will last a long time.”