
Compared to vehicles in the same class, the Golf has relatively low fuel consumption. The following factors affect fuel consumption: 1. Environment and road conditions: Low temperatures cause the vehicle to take longer to warm up the engine, leading to higher fuel consumption. Actual user driving conditions vary greatly, with road surface and gradient, wet or dry conditions, curves, and mountainous roads all affecting real-world fuel consumption. 2. Driving conditions: Driving conditions have the greatest impact on fuel consumption. Frequent city driving results in higher fuel consumption, while normal highway driving leads to lower consumption. Frequent short trips mean the vehicle operates at ideal temperatures for relatively less time, also increasing fuel usage. 3. Number of passengers or cargo weight: Vehicle weight significantly affects fuel consumption. When carrying more passengers or a fully loaded trunk, fuel consumption inevitably increases. Therefore, minimizing unnecessary items in the car can help save fuel.

I've been driving a Golf for three years and find it quite fuel-efficient. Mine is the 1.4T automatic version, and for daily commuting in the city with air conditioning on, it averages around 7.5L/100km. It's especially economical on highways, with the lowest consumption recorded at 5.2L/100km. My neighbor's older 1.6L manual version consumes slightly more fuel, about 8.5L/100km. The car is a bit heavier than its Japanese counterparts in the same class, but Volkswagen's turbocharging technology still makes it fuel-efficient. I suggest driving habits are crucial—avoid flooring the accelerator at starts and use cruise control on highways to save a lot on fuel. Of course, regular maintenance is also important; replace spark plugs when needed, otherwise, carbon buildup can increase fuel consumption.

Previous interactions with Golf owners at car dealerships revealed that the fuel consumption is generally lower than expected. Comparing the 1.4T and 1.2T models, the former offers stronger performance but is surprisingly more fuel-efficient, averaging 7-8 liters per 100km in city driving, while the 1.2T might exceed 8 liters. In cases of severe city traffic congestion, fuel consumption can suddenly spike to over 10 liters, but this is common for all compact cars. The key factor affecting fuel consumption lies in the tires—it's advisable to maintain tire pressure no lower than 2.3 bar, as anything less could easily increase consumption by 1 liter. Newer models now also feature driving mode selections; in Eco mode, the throttle response is slower, which helps reduce fuel consumption.

As a family car enthusiast, what satisfies me about the Golf is its fuel efficiency. I've tested three generations: the seventh-gen 1.6L averages 7.9L/100km, the eighth-gen 1.5T only needs 6.8L/100km, and the GTI version consumes around 9L/100km. Road conditions significantly affect consumption - with 60% highway and 40% city driving, the 1.5T can stay under 7L/100km. Important note: max AC adds about 0.5L, while cold winter starts increase consumption by roughly 1L. Compared to rivals like the Civic or Focus, the Golf's fuel economy advantage isn't huge but it's consistently stable, eliminating long-term 'gas guzzler' risks.


