The 2021 Volkswagen Golf is a hatchback that delivers style, performance, and pure driving pleasure. The car has an 8-speed automatic with 184 lb-ft of torque to ensure you are always ready for the race track or simply cruising down your favorite backroad. With a 1.4L turbocharged engine in conjunction with Tiptronic transmission, this vehicle will be perfect as both a daily commuter and weekend racer! Does that mean, though, that the Golf can tow a trailer? For your convenience, we brought you the answer.
The Volkswagen Golf is a powerhouse of automotive engineering for its size. However, it might not be the best choice for towing and hauling heavy loads because its engine doesn't produce enough torque.
Many drivers are looking for an economical car that can handle their basic driving needs around town without breaking much of a sweat. The Volkswagen Golf excels in this department with one major caveat — its lackluster tow rating. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't tow with Volkswagen Golf completely, so keep reading as we discuss the Golf's towing capacity and tow package options!
Can A Volkswagen Golf Tow A Trailer?
The Volkswagen Golf is a capable little hatchback that's more fun to drive than most other cars in its class, but it just doesn't produce enough torque to tow efficiently. In addition, the car's body isn't rigid enough for towing a heavy trailer. It is also low to the ground, making towing even more difficult. Volkswagen dealers do not recommend towing.
That's the gist of it: the Golf doesn't have enough power to tow effectively; the vehicle's underpinnings just aren't made for towing heavy loads!
How much weight can a Volkswagen Golf tow?
According to different VW forums, consumers have stated that the Volkswagen Golf can tow up to 1,000 lbs., and others have said above 2,000lbs. However, Volkswagen dealers will tell you that it is not recommended to tow with the Volkswagen Golf. This is due to its body durability and low ground clearance.
Lowering The Trailer Hitch On A Volkswagen Golf
If you want to lower the trailer hitch on your Volkswagen Golf, all you need is some simple tools and an afternoon. Here's what you need to do:
Slide under the front of your Volkswagen Golf. You will need to either remove or loosen the bumper — don't worry, it's easy and won't take much time. Your goal is to slide a flat-head screwdriver between the bumper and fender to release four clips that hold it on. Next, disconnect the electrical wiring that leads to the fog lamps.
Remove the plastic air ducts and slide them back into their clips. You will also have to remove a few screws on each side of your Volkswagen Golf, as well. Now you can pull the bumper away from your car, revealing four nuts or bolts that are holding it in place. Loosen these bolts and pull your bumper away from the car. You can now lower the hitch, and you're good to go!
Be careful while lowering the hitch because it may cause damage to your Volkswagen Golf's paint job. It is also important to ensure that you do not touch any electrical wires (any wire harness).
Can you put a hitch on a VW Golf?
While it isn't recommended to tow with the VW Golf, it is still possible. Consumers can add an aftermarket hitch such as the CURT 11412 Class 1 Trailer Hitch with a 1-1/4-inch receiver. This is a strong and dependable hitch with a max towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. (if applicable to your vehicle towing capacity). With the Volkswagen Golf, it is recommended not to try to tow over 1,000 lbs., for that matter. This is based on its sedan counterpart, the Jetta, which has a max towing capacity of 2,000lbs.
How much does the VW tow package cost?
Hitch's installation can be a bit of an expensive endeavor. For example, you could expect to pay anywhere between $100 and up to about $800 for the work itself — but that's just if you don't need any other parts like tow hitches or wiring kits which are often needed as well. In some cases, you can also add a hitch to your Golf without changing the suspension and even aftermarket parts like this class 1 trailer hitch.
Keep in mind that these costs are just for installing your new accessory — you'll still need to factor in other expenses like any wiring kits or additional hardware that might be needed for installation.
The good news is that if you're adding a class 1 trailer hitch like the one featured above, that alone should only cost around $800. The bad news is that this price will likely jump to around $1000 or more once other aftermarket parts are added on — like wiring kits, car lift equipment, and crossing adapters.
Nowadays, all Volkswagens, apart from the older models, come with an available trailer hitch. However, if your model is too old and you're not interested in doing any modifications to it (which can sometimes be quite expensive), then you might want to think about getting a tow hitch for VW Golf that has been manufactured especially for your vehicle.
This will make your Golf's overall appearance a lot better, and it will also allow you to visit more places by using your car as a means of transportation.
Make sure that you choose the right hitch for your Volkswagen Golf, however. There are different kinds available on the market, so you want one that has been custom-made, especially for the models you drive. In addition, there are different trailer hitches available for front-wheel drives and rear-wheel drives, so make sure that you choose one that works best for your Golf's engine configuration.
What Volkswagon Tows the Most?
You're not going to believe the towing capacity of this Volkswagen. It even has a trailer hitch! The Touareg can handle 5,200 lbs. while other Volkswagens are limited in their ability and cannot pull more than 3,600 lbs. maximum.
If you want your boat pulled by an awesome VW with ample room for storage like extra-large seats or backseats that fold down into large cargo space on top of standard features like rear legroom and plenty of headroom, then get behind the wheel today.
The Touareg's high tow capacity and lightweight make it an ideal vehicle for driving any trailer or caravan.
Other Volkswagen Models That Can Tow
It may be surprising, but the Volkswagon Jetta can actually be a good towing companion!
The Jetta is a compact sedan with an engine capacity of 1.4 liters and 147 horsepower, as well as 184 pound-feet torque on its base version; one thing to keep in mind when considering this car for your next purchase may be that it’s not recommended you tow anything over 2,000 lbs. behind the vehicle if you choose the SportWagen configuration.
If you're looking to tow and have a Volkswagen other than the Golf or Touareg, your job will be more challenging because there aren't as many options available on the market. One of the most common Volkswagens that will tow is the Jetta. It's not too big, but you can probably take a small trailer for weekend getaways. Unfortunately, the Passat has a feeble engine.
Does a Volkwagon Golf Have Diesel?
Volkswagen is getting an upgrade in the form of a 197-horsepower diesel Golf GTD. The car will have a 2.0-liter engine and will be perfect for those looking to save on gas money or who want more power than what's found in a regular gasoline engine but don't need all that much horsepower (197 hp).
It'll also come with many features typically only found on higher-end models as well as some special touches specifically designed by Volkswagen engineers for this model. These include a sport suspension tuned specially for driving dynamics plus additional sound insulation material at the firewall between the passenger cabin and engine compartment. This will make it so that passengers won’t feel every single bump along their journey either from inside or outside going down long roads.
The car will start at $25,595 when it goes into production. This is a pretty competitive price for such an affordable car with a diesel engine and lots of extras already installed on the vehicle.
Certainly, Volkswagen Golf GTD will be very popular among those using their cars to pull trailers, hitch mount bike racks, or carry cargo because of its great mileage. It will also be a good choice for others trying to save money on gas or better car performance.
In closing
When it comes to towing, the Volkswagon Golf probably isn't the best bet. However, it is a great daily commuter vehicle that will give you several years of life. The Golf can still tow if absolutely needed, but it is very limited in its capabilities.
If you enjoyed this article on the Volkwagon Golf, then you might also like:
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Have you towed with a Volkswagen Golf? Leave us a comment below!