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Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet dates back to 1979 when a convertible version of the VW hatchback was commissioned from Karmann. The new car shares a similar look but is considerably larger than the original. It also loses the basket-handle roll bar typified by all previous Golf Cabrio’s. The soft-top is fast acting and folds away neatly. It also offers great sound and heat insulation that is comparable with the hatchback.

The standard equipment level is great and the interior beautifully finished and well equipped if a little conservative. Dynamically hard to fault, the VW Golf Cabrio is a cat that is very easy to drive and makes light work of town driving with the occupants stress-free and in great comfort.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Details

Production Dates2011-current
Length 4246 mm / 167 in
Width 1782 mm / 70 in
Height 1423 mm / 56 in
Wheelbase 2578 mm / 101 in
Luggage Capacity 250 litres / 8.83 cu ft
Fuel Tank Capacity 55 litres / 14.5 US gal
Warranty 3 years or 60,000 miles
Service Intervals Variable miles

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.2 TSi

The 1.2 litre VW Golf Cabriolet is the least costly way of getting your hands on the Volkswagen Golf drop-top. The TSi engine is no power-house, but it is zesty and characterful with noticeably more go at higher revs. The 1.6 diesel feels much more lethargic despite the two being equally matched on paper. Fuel economy of the 1.2 is also good and the whole car has a great feel of quality.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1197 cc
Power 105@5000 ps
Torque 129@1550-4100 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual
Kerb Weight 1395 kg / 3075 lb
UK Retail Price from £22,540
UK Insurance Group 15E-T1

Performance

Max speed (manual) 117 mph / 188 kph
0-60mph (manual) - seconds
0-100kmph (manual) 11.7 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 47.9 mpg / 5.9 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 139 g/km

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.4 TSi

The petrol engine in the VW Golf Cabriolet 1.4 TSi balances economy with a decent amount of power. While it isn't as quick as the 1.4 GT it is still capable of competent performance. Fuel economy is excellent and the car is very refined to drive. The Golf has a premium car feel and a handsome interior. There is a choice of 6 speed manual or VW's excellent 7 speed DSG paddle shift (with full auto option) gearbox.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1390 cc
Power 158@5800 ps
Torque 177@1500-4500 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual/7-spd DSG
Kerb Weight 1395 kg / 3075 lb
UK Retail Price from £22,765
UK Insurance Group 19

Performance

Max speed (manual) 122 mph / 196 kph
Max speed (auto) 122 mph / 196 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 10.5 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 10.5 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 44.1 mpg / 6.4 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 44.8 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 149 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 147 g/km

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet GT 1.4 TSi

At its launch the GT's 1.4 petrol engine was the most powerful available for the Golf Cabriolet. It may sound tiny but it manages a full 160 hp thanks to 16 valves with variable inlet timing and a crank-driven supercharger. It gives the convertible Golf an impressive turn of speed without over-stressing the chassis. Performance is similar to what you would expect from a 2-litre unit, but the fuel consumption is a far more friendly figure.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1390 cc
Power 160@5800 ps
Torque 177@1500-4500 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual / 7-spd DSG
Kerb Weight 1456 kg / 3209.9 lb
UK Retail Price from £26,715
UK Insurance Group 31

Performance

Max speed (manual) 134 mph / 216 kph
Max speed (auto) 134 mph / 216 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 8.4 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 8.4 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 44.1 mpg / 6.4 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 44.8 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 150 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 148 g/km

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDi

VW injects a bit of its Bluemotion technology into the 1.6 diesel Golf Cabriolet to produce exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions. Particularly impressive considering this is a solid and weighty vehicle. It moves along at a reasonable pace but certainly couldn't be called a sports car. It is most at home eating up the miles on long trips where the smooth suspension and light steering make it a pleasure to drive.

Specifications

Fuel type Diesel
Engine type Straight 4
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive
Engine Capacity 1598 cc
Power 105@4400 ps
Torque 184@1500-2500 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd Manual
Kerb Weight 1501 kg / 3309 lb
UK Retail Price from £23,540
UK Insurance Group 17

Performance

Max speed (manual) 117 mph / 188 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 12.1 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 64.2 mpg / 4.4 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 117 g/km

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 2.0 TDi

With a punchy turbo diesel engine, the VW Golf Cabriolet 2.0 TDi is not only a good performer, it is also economical and refined. It is a pleasure to drive and even at tick-over it is hard to tell there isn't a petrol engine purring away up front. Keep it within its power band and there is fun to be had with lots of torque to get you off the line and the turbo providing a whoosh of power as you accelerate.

Specifications

Fuel typeDiesel
Engine type Straight 4
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive
Engine Capacity 1968 cc
Power 140@4200 ps
Torque 236@1750-2500 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual / 6-spd DSG
Kerb Weight 1521 kg / 3353 lb
UK Retail Price from £25,990
UK Insurance Group 21

Performance

Max speed (manual) 129 mph / 208 kph
Max speed (auto) 127 mph / 204 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 9.9 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 9.9 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 62.8 mpg / 4.5 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 55.4 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 119 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 134 g/km
Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive Driven Wheels null-wheel-drive

Information last updated

4 Owner Reviews

Do you drive a Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet? Would you recommend it to others? Join the conversation and let us know what you think of the car. This Volkswagen currently has 4 owner reviews.

  1. Avatar for Gary Shapland Gary Shapland says:

    I’ve recently taken delivery of my new 1.6 SE VW Golf Cabriolet and it’s even better than I had even anticipated. I had a gold cabriolet many many years ago, one of the originals and loved it to bits until it had to go due to getting wed and having children. The children are of an age now where I can grab at the last youth I have and when VW announced the rebirth of the Golf cabriolet, I just had to have one. Well done VW, Excellent JOB!

  2. Avatar for Debbie Debbie says:

    Heck yes I’d drive one. If the VW Golf Diesel Convertible was available in the states, there would be no Audi A5 Cabriolet in my garage!

  3. Avatar for KLD KLD says:

    I want to buy one of these!! But not going to be sold in the U.S.!!!!! Why?

  4. Avatar for Nikki Nikki says:

    When will the VW Golf Cabriolet convertible be available in the USA?
    Are they available for purchase in Mexico?
    Thanks

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