The 2023 Volkswagen Golf, the latest model year on record, is 168.9″ long, 70.5″ wide and 57.5″ tall on a 103.5″ wheelbase, and weighs 3,417 lb. At 14.1 ft it fits a standard garage and leaves 3.9 ft spare in an 18-foot street space.
Every Volkswagen Golf generation, measured
The biggest change in length came in 2019, when the new car was 6.3″ longer than the 2015–2018 one. The biggest change in weight came in 2021: 211 lb lighter than before.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–1992 | 158.7″ | 65.4″ | 55.9″ | 97.2″ | 2,141 lb |
| 1993–1998 | 161″ | 66.9″ | 56.3″ | 97.6″ | 2,767 lb |
| 1999–2006 | 163.4″ | 68.5″ | 56.7″ | 98.8″ | 2,820 lb |
| 2010–2014 | 165.7″ | 70.1″ | 58.3″ | 101.6″ | 3,034 lb |
| 2015–2018 | 167.3″ | 70.9″ | 56.7″ | 103.5″ | 3,031 lb |
| 2019–2020 | 173.6″ | 70.9″ | 57.9″ | 103.5″ | 3,183 lb |
| 2021–2023 | 167.3″ | 70.9″ | 57.1″ | 103.5″ | 2,972 lb |
Golf year by year
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 168.9″ | 70.5″ | 103.5″ | 1 | |
| 2022 | 168.9″ | 70.5″ | 103.5″ | 1 | |
| 2021 | 167.3″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 2020 | 173.6″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 6 | |
| 2019 | 173.6″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 6 | |
| 2018 | 172.4″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 7 | |
| 2017 | 171.3″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 6 | |
| 2016 | 169.3″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 6 | |
| 2015 | 169.3″ | 70.9″ | 103.5″ | 6 | |
| 2014 | 168.1″ | 70.1″ | 101.6″ | 5 | |
| 2013 | 168.1″ | 70.1″ | 101.6″ | 5 | |
| 2012 | 168.1″ | 70.1″ | 101.6″ | 5 | |
| 2011 | 168.1″ | 70.1″ | 101.6″ | 5 | |
| 2010 | 168.1″ | 70.1″ | 101.6″ | 5 | |
| 2006 | 165″ | 68.5″ | 99.6″ | 2 | |
| 2005 | 165″ | 68.5″ | 99.6″ | 2 | |
| 2004 | 165″ | 68.5″ | 99.6″ | 2 | |
| 2003 | 165″ | 68.5″ | 99.2″ | 4 | |
| 2002 | 165″ | 68.5″ | 99.2″ | 4 | |
| 2001 | 163″ | 68.1″ | 98.8″ | 8 | |
| 2000 | 162.6″ | 68.1″ | 98.4″ | 5 | |
| 1999 | 162.6″ | 68.1″ | 98.4″ | 5 | |
| 1998 | 160.6″ | 66.9″ | 97.6″ | 4 | |
| 1997 | 160.6″ | 66.9″ | 97.6″ | 5 | |
| 1996 | 160.6″ | 66.9″ | 97.6″ | 5 | |
| 1995 | 160.6″ | 66.9″ | 97.6″ | 4 | |
| 1994 | 161″ | 66.9″ | 97.6″ | 3 | |
| 1993 | 158.3″ | 66.1″ | 96.5″ | 3 | |
| 1992 | 156.3″ | 65″ | 96.5″ | 3 | |
| 1991 | 156.3″ | 65″ | 96.5″ | 3 | |
| 1990 | 156.3″ | 65″ | 96.5″ | 3 | |
| 1989 | 156.3″ | 65″ | 96.5″ | 3 | |
| 1988 | 157.9″ | 65.4″ | 97.2″ | 1 | |
| 1987 | 157.9″ | 65.4″ | 97.2″ | 2 | |
| 1986 | 158.7″ | 65.4″ | 97.2″ | 2 | |
| 1985 | 158.7″ | 65.4″ | 97.2″ | 2 |
Golf on the used market
In 524 Golf listings we have collected since June 2026, the 2015–2018 car is the most common: 248 of them (47%), at an average asking price of $10,228. ForCar visitors have decoded 59 Golf VINs; the most checked model years are 2012, 2015 and 2017.
| Generation | Listings | Share | Average asking price | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2023 | 6 | 1% | $10,232 | 74,928 mi |
| 2019–2020 | 13 | 2% | $16,912 | 59,535 mi |
| 2015–2018 | 248 | 47% | $10,228 | 103,361 mi |
| 2010–2014 | 187 | 36% | $6,771 | 125,984 mi |
| 1999–2006 | 47 | 9% | $3,465 | 163,635 mi |
| Other years | 19 | 4% | $12,508 | 22,987 mi |
Will a Golf fit
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 14.1 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 14.1 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.9 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
| Measure | This car | Typical of 634 cars within 10″ of its length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 70.5″ | 69.3″ | +1.2″ |
| Wheelbase | 103.5″ | 100.8″ | +2.7″ |
| Curb weight | 3,417 lb | 3,014 lb | +403 lb |
Golf against its rivals
Next to the Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio and Mazda CX-3, the Golf is the longest and the heaviest of the four.
| Model | Model year | Length | Width | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf (this car) | 2023 | 168.9″ | 70.5″ | 3,417 lb |
| Toyota Yaris | 2024 | 161.8″ | 66.9″ | 2,359 lb |
| Kia Rio | 2024 | 160.2″ | 68.1″ | 2,549 lb |
| Mazda CX-3 | 2022 | 168.1″ | 69.7″ | 2,892 lb |
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Golf bigger than the 2022?
No. The 2023 and 2022 Golf are the same size and weight.
Which is bigger, the Golf or the Toyota Yaris?
The 2024 Toyota Yaris is 7.1″ shorter and 1,058 lb lighter than the 2023 Golf.
How much does a used Golf cost?
In our listings collected since June 2026, the average asking price runs from $3,465 for the 1999–2006 car to $10,232 for the 2021–2023 one, across 524 listings.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.