on nostalgia back to the vehicle. After all, resurrecting the Malibu nameplate paid off handsomely for Chevy, and bringing an updated Beetle back to the U.S. did the same for Volkswagen.
The Rabbit nameplate, however, didn’t possess the cachet of Malibu or Beetle. Apparently it didn’t even possess the cachet of “Golf.” When something isn’t broke, why fix it? The switch to Rabbit is still confounding. If Chevy had brought back the Corsica nameplate rather than Malibu for its mid-size sedan, things might not have worked out as well as they have.
To VW’s benefit, returning the Golf moniker to its entry-level model was part of this year’s redesign. It’s good to have Golf back in VW’s lexicon.
Perched at the high end of entry-level automobiles, Golf requires more of a commitment from its buyers than any number of other starter cars. It is both sportier and more expensive than most in its segment. If basic transportation is your primary goal, others can handle the task and for thousands less. However, if you want a superbly engineered runabout, well constructed and full of pizzazz, the Golf will have you smiling from the moment you pull away from the dealership.
VW offers Golf with either three or five doors. A clamshell rear hatch provides access to the cargo area in both configurations. Two trim levels, based primarily on engine choice, create roughly a $4,500 base-price spread. My test Golf was the $18,240 base three-door with the optional $1,100 six-speed Tiptronic (driver-shiftable) automatic transmission that is standard in the five-door. Going for five doors instead of three would have tacked another $600 to the bottom line.
A 170-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine motivates the base Golf. This is sufficient to infuse a degree of zippiness into the driving experience. The standard five-speed manual (three-door only) is a bit more fun to drive, but there is something to be said for the convenience of an automatic in stop-and-go slogs through congested city traffic. Volkswagen says that with the automatic, Golf can reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill in about eight seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the automatic tranny. The city mpg estimate drops 1 mpg with the manual transmission. The five-door comes standard with the Tiptronic transmission.
The up-level Golf TDI draws its power from a 50-state compliant 140-horsepower 2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. What it lacks in horsepower, it more than makes up for in torque as it delivers 236 lb. ft. of peak torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard no matter the number of doors. A $1,100 option, the six-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with Tiptronic delivers manual transmission performance, but with the ease of an automatic. It takes about half a second longer to reach 60 miles per hour with the TDI/DSG combination than with the base engine and six-speed automatic, but fuel economy is much better. The clean-diesel TDI with DSG earned an EPA mpg estimate of 30 mpg city and a whopping 42 mpg on the highway.
While the TDI comes with stiffer suspension tuning and, consequently, crisper handling, the base Golf delivers better cornering than the bulk of its competitors. The fully independent suspension consists of MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup in the rear. The steering in both versions is remarkably responsive. Wheel size is another difference between entry-level and TDI. The former comes with 15-inch steel wheels and the latter with 17-inch alloy ones.
All Golfs enter life with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Likewise six airbags are also standard. Not available in the three-door, rear-seat side-impact airbags are a $350 option in the five-door.
Despite the fact you will pay more for a Golf than many other entry-level cars, you will probably feel pretty good about your purchase decision upon sliding behind the wheel. Even before you crank the engine, you will be impressed by the quality of the cabin. Be it the materials used, the expensive feel of the knobs and buttons, or the upscale styling, this is no entry-level interior.
Rear-seat legroom is a bit tight, but no more so than is common in this segment. Offering eight-way adjustment, the front seats are supportive with generous side bolsters. The gauges are large and easy to read. All functions are logically placed and operate intuitively. No diving for the owner’s manual every time you want to change the radio station or adjust the temperature as with some pricier German imports.
Included in the base price of all Golfs are full power accessories, heated outboard mirrors, cruise control, trip computer, 60/40 split folding rear seat, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and an eight-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Moving up to the TDI adds such enhancements as Bluetooth compatibility, full iPod integration and an up-level audio system.
Golf isn’t for the average entry-level customer. Its refinement and therefore its price, will be more than some entry-level buyers need. But for those who want to spend a little more for an automobile that is in every way considered entry-level only because it anchors VW’s lineup, the Golf will reward the cash outlay by providing an ample dose of satisfaction.
By Russ Heaps - MyCarData
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