Among compact vehicles, the Volkswagen Golf, initially known as the Rabbit in North America, offers an excellent combination of practicality and entertaining driving experience. Worldwide, the Volkswagen Golf can also be the most effective-selling vehicles, particularly in Europe the place it’s supplied in multiple variants including a small minivan called the Golf Sportsvan and a plug-in hybrid referred to as the Golf GTE. Read extra in regards to the the GTI’s history Here and the high-efficiency Golf R Here. One of the longest running nameplates in the present day, the Volkswagen Golf initially debuted in the 1970s and finally became one among Volkswagen’s greatest-selling fashions worldwide thanks to its affordability and fun driving dynamics, particularly in the Golf GTI. In reality, we appreciated the Golf GTI a lot that we crowned it as our 1985 Car of the Year. “Ever since the VW GTI first appeared (1976 in Europe, 1982 over right here), the title has symbolized a special model of motoring: sensible and power-acutely aware as the 1980s demand, but fast and excessive-spirited,” we wrote.
“This was wise fun — enthusiast driving with a low profile. To embarrass some way more dear and prestigious hardware was a no-cost possibility. In 1997, the fourth generation Golf appeared and was in production till 2003. Like its predecessor, it shared its platform with the Jetta and New Beetle. The fourth-era Golf was additionally the first to characteristic a second performance-oriented variant above the GTI. Called the Golf R32, this model got here customary with a manual transmission, all-wheel drive and a 3.2-liter V-6 (dubbed VR6) engine with 237 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen unveiled the fifth-era Golf for the 2006 model 12 months in the U.S. It debuted in Europe in 2003 and went on sale in 2004, two years forward of North America. With a more rounded exterior design, the Golf reverted back back the Rabbit title for North America. Base-model Golfs were now outfitted with a 170-hp 2.5-liter I-5 and the GTI gained a brand new 200-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, which replaced the outdated 1.8-liter unit in its predecessor. Volkswagen introduced again the all-wheel-drive R32 with an upgraded 3.2-liter V-6 rated at 250 hp while torque remained at 236 lb-ft.
However, a six-velocity twin-clutch automatic transmission changed the six-velocity handbook as the only gearbox option. The one body fashion out there on the R32 was a two-door hatch. In 2009, the sixth-technology Golf arrived and apart from some exterior design adjustments, not much changed compared to the automotive it replaced. Volkswagen also brought again to Golf name to North America. The biggest change is within the range-topping Golf variant, which was renamed the Golf R and used an upgraded 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 256 hp and 243 lb-ft in U.S.-spec models as a substitute of the 3.2-liter V-6. All-wheel drive stays commonplace but a six-pace handbook returned as the sole transmission possibility. Considered one of the primary autos to utilize the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the present generation Golf is now obtainable in a variety of models together with an EV and a wagon that replaces the outgoing Jetta SportWagen. The five-cylinder engine has been changed by a brand new 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo-four in the bottom Golf.
In the Golf GTI, the 2.0-liter turbo-4 has been upgraded to 210-220 hp and 258 lb-ft. Slotting at the top of the Golf vary is the Golf R, which now has 292 hp and 280 lb-ft, and is on the market with both a six-speed guide or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. For 2017, Volkswagen added the Golf Alltrack, an all-wheel-drive variant of the Golf SportWagen with slightly extra floor clearance. In 2015, Motor Trend crowned the Volkswagen Golf household Car of the Year. We have been impressed by the Golf’s driving dynamics, which felt like it was a category above its own. “No matter which Golf variant we jumped into, we emerged with smiles on our faces. And while every clearly catered to completely different priorities, they all share the identical solid construct quality, taut construction, and memorable ride that make them really feel like a premium automobile in an entry-level phase. In-cabin noise was minimal in each variant, and even the sportiest Golf, the GTI, refused to beat us up over days of hammering Hyundai Proving Grounds’ unforgiving special surfaces loop,” we mentioned.
We also noted that while the Golf’s interior is conservative, it’s refined and filled with consideration element. The exterior, however, is sleek and sporty but not gimmicky, allowing it to attraction to a broader demographic. If you’d like a compact hatchback with entertaining driving dynamics or a small wagon with crossover-beating interior area, then the Volkswagen Golf must be on your check-drive list. The Golf GTI continues to offer an excellent steadiness of refinement, partaking driving dynamics, and practicality wrapped in a city-pleasant package. Do you have to need all-weather functionality, the all-wheel-drive Golf Alltrack takes all the flexibleness and practicality of the Golf SportWagen and adds all-weather functionality. You’re averse to the idea of owning a hatchback or wagon and desire a crossover for its raised journey peak or a more standard sedan. Or, you don’t like how rapidly the worth rises with options, or maybe you'll have bought a diesel variant before the automaker was pressured to cease promoting them.
