Volkswagen Golf II
The Volkswagen Golf II (1985–1992): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 7 versions in the United States.
Model codes: 19E
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | North America | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 3,990–4,260 mm RDW | – | 3,985–4,054 mm |
| Width | 1,670–1,710 mm RDW | – | 1,665–1,700 mm |
| Height | 1,410–1,560 mm RDW | – | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,400–2,480 mm RDW | – | 2,470 mm |
| Weights and towing | |||
| Kerb weight | 820–1,034 kg RDW | – | 725–1,245 kg |
| Mass in running order | 920–1,132 kg RDW | – | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,270–1,530 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, braked trailer | 1,000–1,200 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, unbraked trailer | 410–500 kg RDW | – | – |
| Seats and space | |||
| Seats | 4–5 RDW | – | – |
| Doors | 2 RDW | – | – |
| Boot space | – | – | 230–410 L |
| Luggage space (EPA) | – | 510 L EPA | – |
| Passenger space (EPA) | – | 2,464 L EPA | – |
| Performance | |||
| Top speed | 144–200 km/h RDW | – | – |
| Torque | – | – | 98–257 Nm |
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia (en, fr, es), US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 years and older | 74.8% (74.2–75.4) | 69.2% | 19,205 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 29.9% | 41.6% |
| Brakes | 28.8% | 36.4% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 23.3% | 18.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 20.8% | 17.1% |
| Lights and electrics | 20.0% | 28.8% |
| Tyres | 13.8% | 31.2% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)
85 complaints for model years 1985–1992. 3 crashes · 7 fires · 10 injuries
Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints
All 7 versions of the Volkswagen Golf II
United States 7 versions
Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–1992(FFS) | 1.8 L | Petrol | 3-speed automatic | Front-wheel drive | 22–23 MPG (10.2–10.7 L/100 km) EPA | 240–251 g/km |
| 1988–1992(FFS) | 1.8 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 22–25 MPG (9.4–10.7 L/100 km) EPA | 221–251 g/km |
| 1990–1992(FFS) | 2.0 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 21–22 MPG (10.7–11.2 L/100 km) EPA | 251–263 g/km |
| 1989(NO-CAT) | 1.6 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 34 MPG (6.9 L/100 km) EPA | 186 g/km |
| 1986–1987(NO-CAT), SIL | 1.6 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 33–35 MPG (6.7–7.1 L/100 km) EPA | 181–192 g/km |
| 1985–1987(FFS), SIL | 1.8 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 23–26 MPG (9.0–10.2 L/100 km) EPA | 212–240 g/km |
| 1985SIL | 1.6 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 35 MPG (6.7 L/100 km) EPA | 181 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.