EPA ratings · 2016 · Volkswagen · Golf/GTI
2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Fuel Economy
EPA rates the 2016 Volkswagen Golf/GTI's 9 trims from 25 to 116 MPGe combined, Golf R to e-Golf. Electric and plug-in trims show MPGe and kWh per 100 miles. The table below prices every trim per mile at a fuel price and mileage you can change.
EPA ratings by trim
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | kWh/100 mi | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI · Regular | 2 L, 4 cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 MPG | — | — |
| GTI · Regular | 2 L, 4 cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 MPG | — | — |
| Golf · Regular | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 MPG | — | — |
| Golf · Regular | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 MPG | — | — |
| Golf R · Premium | 2 L, 4 cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 MPG | — | — |
| Golf R · Premium | 2 L, 4 cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 MPG | — | — |
| Golf SportWagen · Regular | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 29 MPG | — | — |
| Golf SportWagen · Regular | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 28 MPG | — | — |
| e-Golf · Electricity | Electric | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 126 | 105 | 116 MPGe | 29.2 | 83 mi |
City and highway are EPA's adjusted label figures; combined is the 55/45 blend printed on the window sticker. For electric and plug-in trims the MPG columns are MPGe, and the kWh per 100 miles is the figure a charging cost actually turns on; EPA measures it at the wall, so charging losses are already in it. Unrounded combined figures, where EPA publishes them: GTI 27.6891; GTI 28.407; Golf 28.8033; Golf 29.1087; Golf R 25.3709; Golf R 24.911; Golf SportWagen 28.5793; Golf SportWagen 28.2893; e-Golf 115.521.
What the rating costs per mile
The rating divided by a price, times your miles. It starts at EIA's current U.S. averages and EPA's 15,000 miles so the right-hand column is comparable; type your own pump price, home rate and mileage over them.
| Trim | Runs on | Rated | Per mile | Per year | EPA's figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI | Regular Gasoline | 28 MPG | 15.3¢ | $2,295 | $2,400 |
| GTI | Regular Gasoline | 28 MPG | 15.3¢ | $2,295 | $2,400 |
| Golf | Regular Gasoline | 29 MPG | 14.8¢ | $2,216 | $2,300 |
| Golf | Regular Gasoline | 29 MPG | 14.8¢ | $2,216 | $2,300 |
| Golf R | Premium Gasoline | 25 MPG | 17.1¢ | $2,570 | $3,300 |
| Golf R | Premium Gasoline | 25 MPG | 17.1¢ | $2,570 | $3,300 |
| Golf SportWagen | Regular Gasoline | 29 MPG | 14.8¢ | $2,216 | $2,300 |
| Golf SportWagen | Regular Gasoline | 28 MPG | 15.3¢ | $2,295 | $2,400 |
| e-Golf | Electricity | 29.1765 kWh/100 mi | 5.3¢ | $795 | $650 |
Per mile = price ÷ rated MPG (gasoline) or price per kWh × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 (electricity). Per year = per mile × miles. EPA's figure is its own annual fuel cost at 15,000 miles, 55% city, and the national price in force when the file was built; it will differ from the middle columns whenever the price here differs. A plug-in hybrid is shown once on each fuel; its real cost sits between them, by how much of its driving is on the battery.
Fuel only — before depreciation, insurance, maintenance or tires, which the True Cost per Mile Calculator adds. Most drivers land below the rating; the True MPG Calculator measures your own from two fill-ups. The EV vs. Gas Cost Calculator sets the electric trim against a gasoline one over a year.
EPA's own figures, and why they differ
The “EPA's figure” column is EPA's annual fuel cost from the same file: 15,000 miles, 55% city, and the national fuel price fueleconomy.gov was using on the day the file was built (2026-09-29). fueleconomy.gov recomputes its page every week at the current price, so its number and the file's drift apart between file dates; the middle columns here use a price you can see and change, which is the only honest way to compare two cars. EPA also prints a five-year “you save/spend” against the average new vehicle (saves $8,750 for the e-Golf); it rests on the same assumptions and is not repeated here as a result.
Every figure on this page is a rating, not a measurement of any particular car. The site never calls a rating wrong; it shows what your own price and miles do to it. See the model on fueleconomy.gov.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf/GTI: 2027, 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985.
Related tools
Price the same miles on gasoline and on electricity, using your fuel price, your utility rate, and each car's rated efficiency.
Open tool →True MPG CalculatorYour car's real fuel economy from two odometer readings and a fill-up — and how far it falls from its EPA rating.
Open tool →Commute Cost CalculatorWhat getting to work costs per day, per month, and per year — energy only, or all-in at the IRS standard mileage rate.
Open tool →Gas Prices by Region and StateThis week's average price of regular gasoline for the U.S., every state and ten cities, from EIA's weekly survey — a dated figure to start from, never one assumed for you.
Open tool →Electricity Prices by StateThe average residential price of electricity in every state, by month, from EIA's utility filings — and what each rate does to a mile in an electric car.
Open tool →Informational only — published averages for scale and comparison, not a quote for any pump, utility or vehicle. Your own price is the one that counts, and every calculator on this site takes it as an input.
Ratings: U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, fueleconomy.gov vehicles.csv dated 2026-09-29 (EPA record ids 36573, 36574, 36575, 36576, 36401, 36402, 36587, 36588, 36834). Prices: EIA, U.S. regular gasoline week of October 19, 2026; U.S. residential electricity August 2026. Snapshots refreshed monthly.