One thing you don’t want surprises from is your car. If you’re looking to buy a used car, then a really reliable one is the way to go. The 2007 Volkswagen Golf, also sold as the Rabbit and GTI, is one used car that drivers can count on. It has almost no reliability complaints about it.

The 2007 Volkswagen Golf got a CarComplaints.com “Seal of Awesome”

CarComplaints.com awarded the 2007 Volkswagen Golf with a “Seal of Awesome.” The website collects complaints from vehicle owners and organizes the information in visual formats. Its “Seal of Awesome” is given out to the best older vehicles, since the site doesn’t rank new ones.

The 2007 Golf is in good company, since every year of the Golf between 2002 and 2014 (except 2010 and 2011) received the “Seal of Awesome.” While most of those model years haven’t had many complaints submitted to CarComplaints.com, the 2007 Golf is the only one that doesn’t have any complaints yet.

A couple of NHTSA complaints

CarComplaints.com found only two issues with the 2007 Volkswagen Golf that had been submitted to the NHTSA. One person’s Golf started having transmission problems at 160,000 miles. The car would jerk or get stuck in a gear. Another owner mentioned that the car would overheat if driven faster than 40 MPH. Mechanics found that the water pump was defective.

The 2007 Volkswagen Golf (or Rabbit or GTI)

Volkswagen introduced a new generation of the Golf for model year 2007. In the U.S. it carried the Rabbit name used back in the ’70s, says Consumer Reports. The high-performance version was named the GTI. The fifth-generation ran from 2007 to 2009, and the Golf name returned for 2010.

Kelley Blue Book likes the 2007 GTI for its performance. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 200 hp. While the hatchback is heavier than previous generations, Kelley Blue Book says it’s “a joy to drive enthusiastically wherever appropriate.”

The engine is paired with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. Model year 2007 was the first year that a four-door GTI was available. Other options include an iPod adapter, navigation system, CD player, and a power sunroof.

The GTI features a high-quality interior. Also available in either two-door or four-door, the 2007 Rabbit has a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that Consumer Reports found to be a bit “noisy when revved.”

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf or Golf GTI

Fast-forward to 2021, and the Golf still has many of the same positive attributes. It’s still a compact, practical hatchback with a nice interior. The GTI version is still available, says Kelley Blue Book. It isn’t an expensive car, but it provides sporty handling.

The standard engine is a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, generating 147 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The GTI’s engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both a manual shift and an automatic transmission are available.

The 2021 Golf has advanced safety features not available on the 2007 model. Standard features include forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking as well as blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.

It has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and the GTI includes a larger eight-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. The 2021 model year is the last year for the seventh generation. The Golf will be discontinued for 2022, but a new design is expected for the GTI and Golf R.

According to Consumer Reports, a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit today will cost between $4,700 and $5,100. A 2007 GTI averages $5,600 to $6,050. The 2021 counterparts are quite a bit more.

The 2021 Golf starts between $23,195 and $37,745. Meanwhile, the 2021 Golf GTI starts between $28,695 and $37,745. For an affordable and super reliable car that hardly anyone complains about, consider buying the 2007 Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit or GTI.