Refreshed 2018 Volkswagen Golf Debuts With Minor Updates

Volkswagen is bringing the updated Golf to the New York Auto Show this week for its North American debut.

First shown in Europe, the new Golf brings aesthetic changes, newer, bigger infotainment screens, more technology and a whole lot of LED lights.

To start, the outside appearance changes a little, with sharper lines and a new chrome line across the grille. The lights, too, are changing on the Golf — the whole lineup will come with LED daytime running lights (full LEDs are optional, replacing Bi-Xenons), as well as LED tail lights.

Inside, a new eight-inch infotainment screen will be available in higher trims, while the base screen gets bumped up to 6.5-inches (up from five). On the Golf R, Volkswagen’s new digital dash is now available.

2017 New York Auto Show Coverage

As previously reported, the Golf R retains its 292-horsepower rating, while the Golf GTI gets a bump to 220 standard hp (although a performance version will likely debut soon). The Golf R also gets a new driveline feature that might help lap times in the form of a new seven-speed dual clutch DSG automatic transmission. The six-speed manual is still available, though.

Golfs fitted with the 1.8-liter TSI engine (such as the Alltrack) also retain their 170 hp ratings and the option of a five-speed manual or a six-speed auto.

These more sober Golfs will also now get more safety equipment. Forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking are now available on more models (SE and up), for example, as are lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Although pricing has yet to be revealed (in Europe, prices went down), Volkswagen has revealed that the new Golf will be available in the fall of 2017 as a 2018 model.

A version of this story originally appeared on VW Vortex

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