It looks like the
Passat is not the only VW model that will see significant changes for the 2019
model year in the United States. VW will reportedly downsize the standard
engine of the Golf from a 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo-four to a 147-hp 1.4-liter
turbocharged four-cylinder. According to an Autoblog report that doesn’t cite
any specific sources, every 2019 VW Golf with front-wheel drive will get the
new engine from the 2019 Jetta.
That means a drop
of 23 hp, but the peak torque stays the same at 250 Nm. Both the
Golf hatchback and SportWagen will make the switch to the smaller engine, but
the all-wheel-drive Golf Alltrack will soldier on with the 1.8-liter engine
rated at 170 hp and 270 Nm of torque.
However, to
alleviate the loss of 23 horsepower and enhance fuel efficiency, VW will give
the Golf new transmissions. The current model’s standard five-speed manual will
be replaced by a six-speed manual, while the optional six-speed auto will leave
room for an eight-speed automatic.
Although an
entry-level Golf weighs 75 pounds more than the Jetta, fuel economy figures
should be quite similar to the sedan given the increased gearing. The 2019
Jetta returns 28 mpg city/40 highway/33 combined with the five-speed manual and
28 mpg city/38 highway/32 combined with the six-speed automatic.
Besides replacing
the standard engine, VW will make some adjustments to the 2019 Golf’s trims and
options too. The base Golf S and the Alltrack S will add automatic emergency
braking and blind-spot monitors, but those will be options on the SportWagen S.
SE models will gain adaptive cruise control, with the SportWagen SE also
getting LED headlights as standard. However, the Alltrack SE will only get LED
lights as an option. Finally, the SportWagen SEL grade will be ditched.
