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2019 Volkswagen Golf: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2019 Volkswagen Golf is a lineup-shuffle year, not a redesign. The biggest change is the move to a 1.4-liter turbo engine, 6-speed manual, and 8-speed automatic in the hatchback and front-wheel-drive SportWagen.
About the 2019 Volkswagen Golf
7th-generation Golf family (Mk7/Mk7.5 facelift), late-cycle year. The hatchback is in its post-2018 refresh period, while the Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack are also in the late part of the same generation; 2019 ends up being the final U.S. model year for both wagons.
Volkswagen sells the Golf family as a smarter, more polished alternative to bulkier small SUVs. The regular Golf is the compact hatchback for everyday commuting and easy parking, the SportWagen adds wagon cargo room without crossover size, and the Alltrack adds standard AWD and extra rough-road ability. Across all three, the appeal is the same: tidy dimensions, useful cargo flexibility, simple controls, and a more upscale feel than many mainstream compact cars.
The regular Golf remains a tidy, practical hatchback, with the S focused on everyday basics and the SE adding heated synthetic-leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The longer SportWagen emphasizes cargo room, while the raised Alltrack pairs AWD with a more rugged wagon setup. The Alltrack SEL tops the wagon range with navigation, premium audio, adaptive cruise control, and a power driver’s seat.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The Golf hatchback and front-wheel-drive SportWagen switch from the 1.8-liter turbo to a 147-hp 1.4-liter turbo. Their old 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic give way to a 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic. The AWD SportWagen and Alltrack retain the 1.8-liter turbo, while the Alltrack SEL gains a 6-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert become standard throughout the Golf hatchback and Alltrack ranges.
Styling
Equipment shifts bring revised wheel and headlight combinations, and the SportWagen SE gains adaptive LED headlights.
2019 Volkswagen Golf specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd / Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode | Manual, 6-Spd / Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Tiptronic & Sport Mode | Automatic, 6-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 6-Spd DSG w/Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD / FWD | FWD | AWD / FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21–29 mpg | 29 mpg | 21–27 mpg | 29 mpg | 21 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30–37 mpg | 37 mpg | 30–36 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 147–168 hp | 147 hp | 147–168 hp | 147 hp | 168 hp | 168 hp |
| Torque | 184–199 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184–199 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 66.5 cu-ft | 53.7 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft | 53.7 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft | 66.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||
| Hill Start Assist | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Stability Control | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2019 Volkswagen Golf?
The biggest change is a new powertrain for the Golf hatchback and front-wheel-drive SportWagen. They replace the previous 1.8-liter turbo with a 147-hp 1.4-liter turbo and move to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.
Does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf still use the 1.8-liter turbo engine?
Some 2019 Golf models still use the 1.8-liter turbo. The AWD SportWagen and Golf Alltrack retain it, while the hatchback and front-wheel-drive SportWagen use the smaller 1.4-liter turbo.
Did the 2019 Volkswagen Golf gain more standard safety equipment?
Yes. Every 2019 Golf hatchback and Alltrack has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert as standard equipment.
What changed on the 2019 Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack?
The front-wheel-drive SportWagen adopts the 1.4-liter turbo and updated transmissions, the SportWagen SE gains adaptive LED headlights, and the SportWagen SEL leaves the range. Every Alltrack gains a standard driver-assistance bundle, and the Alltrack SEL adds a 6-speed manual transmission.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf a major update over the 2018 model?
No. The 2019 Golf is not a redesign or broad refresh. Its meaningful differences are the new hatchback and front-wheel-drive SportWagen powertrain, wider standard safety equipment, and several wagon lineup and equipment changes.
2019 Volkswagen Golf Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2019 Volkswagen Golf.
4.3
2019 Volkswagen Golf
(936 reviews)
“Great car although battery died shortly after warranty and it was not covered under warranty. Front left tire also leaks air.”
“The VW E-Golf is an excellent vehicle for short range (around town) driving. The vehicle is totally electric and has a range of about 125 miles when fully charged. Fun to drive. Plenty of room for four persons. Folding rear seats allow space for cargo easy loading. Two words describe this car QUIET QUICK!!”