Volkswagen Golf Specs

Since 1985 the Golf has grown 10.2″ in length and gained 1,276 lb: weight rose 60%, length only 6%.

NHTSA vPIC · Transport Canada · 7 generations · 1985–2023 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

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.

FIG.01·Volkswagen Golf dimensions by generation
GenerationLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseCurb weight
1985–1992158.7″65.4″55.9″97.2″2,141 lb
1993–1998161″66.9″56.3″97.6″2,767 lb
1999–2006163.4″68.5″56.7″98.8″2,820 lb
2010–2014165.7″70.1″58.3″101.6″3,034 lb
2015–2018167.3″70.9″56.7″103.5″3,031 lb
2019–2020173.6″70.9″57.9″103.5″3,183 lb
2021–2023167.3″70.9″57.1″103.5″2,972 lb
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada

Golf year by year

FIG.02·Volkswagen Golf dimensions by model year
Model yearLengthWidthWheelbaseCurb weightBody styles
2023168.9″70.5″103.5″3,417 lb1
2022168.9″70.5″103.5″3,417 lb1
2021167.3″70.9″103.5″2,972 lb2
2020173.6″70.9″103.5″3,192 lb6
2019173.6″70.9″103.5″3,192 lb6
2018172.4″70.9″103.5″3,150 lb7
2017171.3″70.9″103.5″3,042 lb6
2016169.3″70.9″103.5″3,016 lb6
2015169.3″70.9″103.5″3,016 lb6
2014168.1″70.1″101.6″3,109 lb5
2013168.1″70.1″101.6″3,109 lb5
2012168.1″70.1″101.6″3,100 lb5
2011168.1″70.1″101.6″3,100 lb5
2010168.1″70.1″101.6″3,069 lb5
2006165″68.5″99.6″2,897 lb2
2005165″68.5″99.6″2,897 lb2
2004165″68.5″99.6″2,897 lb2
2003165″68.5″99.2″2,875 lb4
2002165″68.5″99.2″2,875 lb4
2001163″68.1″98.8″2,835 lb8
2000162.6″68.1″98.4″2,818 lb5
1999162.6″68.1″98.4″2,855 lb5
1998160.6″66.9″97.6″2,670 lb4
1997160.6″66.9″97.6″2,650 lb5
1996160.6″66.9″97.6″2,623 lb5
1995160.6″66.9″97.6″2,628 lb4
1994161″66.9″97.6″2,522 lb3
1993158.3″66.1″96.5″2,610 lb3
1992156.3″65″96.5″2,242 lb3
1991156.3″65″96.5″2,242 lb3
1990156.3″65″96.5″2,242 lb3
1989156.3″65″96.5″2,242 lb3
1988157.9″65.4″97.2″2,194 lb1
1987157.9″65.4″97.2″2,136 lb2
1986158.7″65.4″97.2″2,141 lb2
1985158.7″65.4″97.2″2,141 lb2
ROWS 36·SOURCE Transport Canada vehicle specifications

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.

FIG.05·Volkswagen Golf generations on the used market
GenerationListingsShareAverage asking priceAverage mileage
2021–202361%$10,23274,928 mi
2019–2020132%$16,91259,535 mi
2015–201824847%$10,228103,361 mi
2010–201418736%$6,771125,984 mi
1999–2006479%$3,465163,635 mi
Other years194%$12,50822,987 mi
ROWS 6·SOURCE ForCar, US used-car listings collected since June 2026

Will a Golf fit

FIG.02·Volkswagen Golf — will it fit
SpaceTypical sizeThis carVerdict
Single garage20 ft deep14.1 ftFits, with room to open the door
Street parking space18 ft14.1 ftFits comfortably
Standard parking bay width8.5 ft wide5.9 ftRoom to open doors both sides
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed from vehicle dimensions

Against cars of the same length

FIG.03·Volkswagen Golf against similar-sized cars
MeasureThis carTypical of 634 cars within 10″ of its lengthDifference
Width70.5″69.3″+1.2″
Wheelbase103.5″100.8″+2.7″
Curb weight3,417 lb3,014 lb+403 lb
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed across vehicles of similar length

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.

FIG.04·Volkswagen Golf against its rivals
ModelModel yearLengthWidthCurb weight
Volkswagen Golf (this car)2023168.9″70.5″3,417 lb
Toyota Yaris2024161.8″66.9″2,359 lb
Kia Rio2024160.2″68.1″2,549 lb
Mazda CX-32022168.1″69.7″2,892 lb
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada; rivals: same EPA class and body, most searched
Upgrade to Pro

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
Free plan available — no credit card needed

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.

Dimensions from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records, manufacturer-declared for 36 Golf model years, 1985 to 2023. Metric values converted to inches and pounds; generation boundaries are estimated from changes in size (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
Found this useful?

Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.

Prefer ForCar →