FuelFacts

2013 Volkswagen Golf MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims

Fuel grade varies by trim — see the breakdown below.

26–32
MPG combined (23–29 city / 31–39 hwy)
$2,192–$2,241
est. fuel / year (today's prices, 15k mi)
Varies by trim
gas type

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Golf good on gas?

At up to 32 MPG combined, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf is better than average for a Compact Cars — that class averages about 24.1 MPG across 6,481 EPA-tested versions, so it's a good pick on fuel for its size.

Real-world MPG vs the EPA number

The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.

EPA updated its fuel-economy equations again for model year 2017 — mostly affecting hybrids and turbocharged engines — and recalculated 2011-2016 ratings to match, in some cases 1-2 MPG lower. The number above already reflects that update.

At today's AAA national average price — $3.80/gal for regular gas as of 2026-07-05 — the most efficient trim runs about $2,192/year (roughly $183/month, about $14.62 per 100 miles) at the EPA's assumed 15,000 miles/year, using an estimated 577 gallons a year. We don't estimate a cost-per-fill since exact tank size isn't in the public EPA dataset, but the per-100-mile figure scales to any tank. Current national average gas prices →

2013 Volkswagen Golf trims & fuel economy

Trim (engine / transmission)FuelMPGFuel/yr (today's price)
2.5L 5-cyl, S6 automatic, FWDREGULAR26$2,192
2.5L 5-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWDREGULAR26$2,192
2.0L 4-cyl, AM-S6 automatic, FWDDIESEL32$2,241
2.0L 4-cyl, 6-spd manual, FWDDIESEL32$2,241

2013 Volkswagen Golf specs

What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.

Engine options2.5L 5-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
TransmissionS6 automatic · 5-spd manual · AM-S6 automatic · 6-spd manual
Drive typeFWD
EPA body classCompact Cars
FuelVaries by trim
Tailpipe CO₂315–335 g/mi

Other years of the Volkswagen Golf

2018 Volkswagen Golf2017 Volkswagen Golf2016 Volkswagen Golf2015 Volkswagen Golf2014 Volkswagen Golf2012 Volkswagen Golf2011 Volkswagen Golf2010 Volkswagen Golf

Similar cars (Compact Cars)

2013 Mazda 3 DI 4-Door2013 MINI Cooper Countryman Coupe2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman Coupe2013 Mazda 32013 Suzuki SX4 Sedan2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman Coupe All4

Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides

4 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-07-24 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.