Among compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf, originally known as the Rabbit in North America, provides a great combination of practicality and entertaining driving experience. Worldwide, the Volkswagen Golf is also one of the best-selling vehicles, especially in Europe where it’s offered in multiple variants including a small minivan called the Golf Sportsvan and a plug-in hybrid called the Golf GTE. Read more about the the GTI’s history HERE and the high-performance Golf R HERE. One of the longest running nameplates today, the Volkswagen Golf originally debuted in the 1970s and eventually became one of Volkswagen’s best-selling models worldwide thanks to its affordability and fun driving dynamics, especially in the Golf GTI. In fact, we liked the Golf GTI so much that we crowned it as our 1985 Car of the Year. “Ever since the VW GTI first appeared (1976 in Europe, 1982 over here), the name has symbolized a special brand of motoring: practical and energy-conscious as the 1980s demand, yet quick and high-spirited,” we wrote.
Volkswagen brought back 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-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission replaced the six-speed manual as the sole gearbox option. The only body style available on the R32 was a two-door hatch. In 2009, the sixth-generation Golf arrived and other than some exterior design changes, not much changed compared to the car it replaced. Volkswagen also brought back to Golf name to North America. The biggest change is in 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 instead of the 3.2-liter V-6. All-wheel drive remains standard but a six-speed manual returned as the sole transmission option. One of the first vehicles to utilize the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the current generation Golf is now available in a variety of models including an EV and a wagon that replaces the outgoing Jetta SportWagen.
The five-cylinder engine has been replaced by a new 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo-four in the base Golf. In the Golf GTI, the 2.0-liter turbo-four has been upgraded to 210-220 hp and 258 lb-ft. Slotting at the top of the Golf range is the Golf R, which now has 292 hp and 280 lb-ft, and is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. For 2017, Volkswagen added the Golf Alltrack, an all-wheel-drive variant of the Golf SportWagen with slightly more ground clearance. In 2015, Motor Trend crowned the Volkswagen Golf family Car of the Year. We were impressed by the Golf’s driving dynamics, which felt like it was a class above its own. “No matter which Golf variant we jumped into, we emerged with smiles on our faces. And while each obviously catered to different priorities, they all share the same solid build quality, taut structure, and remarkable ride that make them feel like a premium vehicle in an entry-level segment.
