2015 head-to-head · Compact Car

2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,603/ year to fuel
29 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,586/ year to fuel
35 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, the most efficient 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (29 MPG) costs about $1,603 a year to fuel and the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel (35 MPG) about $1,586.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI
  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel

Side by side

Volkswagen Golf/GTIVolkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
$1,603 Your annual fuel cost $1,586
29 MPG Combined efficiency 35 MPG
25 MPG City 31 MPG
36 MPG Highway 41 MPG
93 cu ft Passenger volume 93 cu ft
16 cu ft Cargo volume 16 cu ft
305 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 292 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 8/10
7/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 8/10
Gas Powertrain Diesel
Regular gasoline Fuel Diesel
1.8L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
5-speed manual Transmission 6-speed dual-clutch
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Volkswagen Golf/GTI vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel across model years

  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI
  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 52 2015 compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI ranks 24th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 22nd for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Volkswagen Golf/GTI is a conventional gas model, while the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel is a diesel.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI or the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel?

Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel. The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is rated 29 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $1,603 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI and $1,586 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel.

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