Volkswagen Golf offers driving excellence and high levels of refinement. It’s agile and responsive, making it fun to drive. Yet it’s remarkably practical, and offers admirable gas mileage. Upscale trim and a high level of standard equipment make for a comfortable and sophisticated experience. Two people can sit comfortably in the back seats. The hatchback design means you can fold the seats down and cram in an impressive amount of stuff. 15,295. Others are frugal. The TDI diesel boasts an EPA-rated 42/49 mpg. Others are quick or downright fast. The GTI is a true driver’s car. The 1.8 T delivers 180 horsepower, while the VR6 boasts 200 hp. According to Volkswagen of America, the Golf continues to be one of the safest cars in its category. The four-door Golf earned the best Federal safety rating a vehicle can receive: a dual five star frontal crash test rating for the driver and front passenger.
Volkswagen Golf comes in two-door and four-door versions. All are hatchbacks. Three trim levels are available, GL, GLS, and GTI. Four transmissions are available: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, or 5-speed automatic with Porsche’s Tiptronic manual override. Volkswagen offers more engine options for its compact than other manufacturers. Four engines are available for the Golf: 115-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4; 180-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4; 200-horsepower 2.8-liter VR6; 90-horsepower 1.9-liter TDI turbocharged diesel inline-4. 15,295) is extremely well equipped for a small car, with standard air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, power heated mirrors, a premium sound system with CD player, and neat woven-cloth upholstery. 17,520) is only available as a four-door and comes with a power sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, and velour upholstery with matching door trim and a center armrest. A five-speed manual transmission is standard in both the GL and GLS. 1185, depending on model and engine choice. 280), a system that uses sophisticated sensors and microprocessors to stabilize the vehicle in a sudden emergency maneuver.
150) with heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles. GTI is the hot-rod of the line and comes only in the two-door body style. 21,775). The Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) is an option on the 1.8 T model and standard on the VR6. 400) and standard on the VR6. 1,240), consisting of a power sunroof and the Monsoon sound system. 755), which includes electronic climate control, a self-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers. Small enough to tuck easily into tight parking spaces with relative ease, Volkswagen Golf looks stylish and distinctive as well as practical. With its roofline extended over its rear wheels, the Golf provides a surprisingly large storage space and more than ample rear headroom. The rear hatch is easy to raise and lower, and provides a large and convenient opening for loading everything from grocery bags to furniture to big boxes. Americans are starting to buy more hatchbacks, especially those with four doors (or five if you prefer to count that way).
Historically, hatchbacks have been hugely popular in Europe, perhaps the most popular body style there. Hatchbacks offer some of the functional benefits of station wagons, including easy access to cargo through side doors and the rear hatch. Golf comes with an unusually high level of standard equipment, including anti-lock disc brakes and side-impact airbags. It also comes with a high level of refinement. Forget the grained plastic wood found in many cars. This trim is the real thing. Stylish instruments look like aircraft components at night with vibrant red needles over richly backlit indigo gauges. Power windows with auto-up and auto-down are normally not found in this class. There’s plenty of storage space, with a large glove box, deep door pockets and a center tray that’s useful for stowing cellular telephones. Golf’s cup holders are well placed and adequate for most container sizes. Driver and passenger doors use different inside handles that make them easy to close.
