- Newest year: 2012
- Gas
- Diesel
- Small cars
2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 22–32 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 small car configurations, MY2012. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI at a glance
The 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI covers 4 model years in the EPA database (21 configurations in all), rated 22–32 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2012, costs about $2,920 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD (32 MPG), at diesel $6.29/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and diesel. EPA changed the ratings in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The best combined rating in the generation, 32 MPG, was reached in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Gas, Diesel | 22–32 MPG | $2,470–$3,640 | Ratings changed |
| 2011 | Gas, Diesel | 25–32 MPG | $2,470–$3,270 | Ratings changed |
| 2010 | Gas, Diesel | 25–32 MPG | $2,540–$3,270 | Ratings changed |
| 2009 | Gas | 25 MPG | $3,210 | First year |
What the 2012 GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs to drive
Per month
$245
$2,940 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.90
Per 100 miles
$19.60
Five years
$14,700
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$300less a year
Class median $3,240 a year, MY2012
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI MPG
Versus 2011: The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,920.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,940 |
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,470 |
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,480 |
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,250 |
| Golf R | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,640 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Diesel configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 39 | 32 | $2,920 |
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,950 |
Diesel is priced at diesel $6.29/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2011 Volkswagen Golf / GTI MPG
25–32 MPG · $2,470–$3,270/yr
Versus 2010: The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,920.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,470 |
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,940 |
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,480 |
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,270 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Diesel configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 39 | 32 | $2,920 |
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,950 |
Diesel is priced at diesel $6.29/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2010 Volkswagen Golf / GTI MPG
25–32 MPG · $2,540–$3,270/yr
Versus 2009: The most efficient configuration moves from 25 to 32 MPG, up 7. Its annual cost goes from $3,210 to $2,920, $290 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,950 |
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,540 |
| Golf 2.5L 5-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 5-cyl | FWD | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,620 |
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,270 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Diesel configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 39 | 32 | $2,920 |
| Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,950 |
Diesel is priced at diesel $6.29/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2009 Volkswagen Golf / GTI MPG
25 MPG · $3,210/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,210 |
| GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $3,210 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD: $3,500 in California and $2,550 in Texas, a $950 difference.
- California $3,500
- Washington $3,290
- New York $2,900
- Florida $2,680
- Texas $2,550
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2012 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2006
- 2007-2008 (Mk5)
- 2009-2012 (Mk6)
- 2013-2014
- 2015-2021 (Mk7)
- 2022-2027* (Mk8)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI get?
EPA rates the 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI at 22–32 MPG combined across 21 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2012 Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 32 MPG (29 city, 39 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 22–27 MPG; Diesel: 32 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?
The Golf 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 32 MPG, in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The lowest top rating, 25 MPG, was in 2009.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
How does the 2009-2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2007-2008 Volkswagen Golf / GTI) is rated 24–25 MPG combined and costs $3,210–$3,350 a year to fuel; the 2009-2012 model is rated 22–32 MPG and costs $2,470–$3,640 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $2,940 a year. Across all 7 configurations the cost runs $2,470–$3,640 a year. That is a $1,170 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI 100 miles?
About $19.60 per 100 miles for the GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $16.47 and $24.27 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD is rated 24 city and 33 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.
How does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI compare with other small car configurations?
The GTI 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $2,940 a year to fuel, $300 less than the class median of $3,240, and less than 6 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 375 rated small car configurations for MY2012, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI different from the 2011 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,920. EPA lists 7 configurations for 2012 against 6 configurations for 2011. See the 2011 Volkswagen Golf / GTI for that year.