| The Volkswagen's Golf history dates back to 1977 | | | | torque, while the smooth and quiet 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| when it was originally launched as the Rabbit. It was a | | | | TDI turbodiesel—the same one available in VW's |
| popular and spirited performer both in the U.S. and | | | | notch-up Jetta sedan and coming soon in the midsize |
| around the world. The sportier and even quicker | | | | Passat—generates a more reserved 140 horses |
| Rabbit GTI became an iconic favorite of driving | | | | and a hearty 236 lb.-ft. of torque. |
| enthusiasts everywhere. | | | | A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the |
| The 6th-generation Golf, introduced in Europe for 2009 | | | | base 3-door, while the 5-door gets a 6-speed |
| and arriving stateside for 2010 will start at $17,490. | | | | automatic with Tiptronic control, which enables manual |
| Available in 3- and 5-door hatchback models (VW | | | | shifting with a tap of the shifter. The manual-shift car |
| prefers to call them 2- and 4-doors), with a choice of | | | | scoots from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and |
| eager 5-cylinder gas or peppy, fuel-frugal, | | | | delivers 22 mpg city/30 highway EPA economy. The |
| turbocharged "clean diesel" TDI 4-cylinder engines, it is | | | | automatic does 0-60 in 8.1-seconds with 23/30 mpg |
| easily the best and most refined Golf ever. As a result, | | | | ratings. |
| a jury of international auto writers named it the 2009 | | | | The 16-valve SOHC TDI direct-fuel-injected turbodiesel |
| "World Car of the Year." | | | | four, starting at $21,990 in the 3-door, offers some 30 |
| The 2010 Golf wears a new "face" for the | | | | percent better fuel efficiency than comparable gasoline |
| Volkswagen brand (good news, since not everyone | | | | engines. Coupled to its standard 6-speed manual |
| was fond of the old one) with a wide, double-bar grille | | | | gearbox, it's good for 8.6-seconds 0-60 and 30/41 |
| that blends smoothly into angled halogen headlamps. | | | | EPA economy. With the optional 6-speed Direct Shift |
| Black window trim with no side moldings keeps the | | | | Gearbox (DSG) automatic with Tiptronic, it delivers |
| side appearance clean and simple. Around back, a | | | | identical 0-60 performance and similar economy at 30 |
| subtle, body color spoiler with integrated high brake light | | | | mpg city and 42 highway. |
| extends beyond the rear hatch. Running lights blended | | | | We sampled a variety of U.S.-spec 2010 Golfs on |
| into the lower bumper flank a black lower-fascia insert | | | | twisty two-lanes and high-speed autobahns in their |
| with cutouts for twin exhaust tips. | | | | home country of Germany and found its base |
| Like its upscale division Audi, Volkswagen does finely | | | | McPherson strut front and independent four-link rear |
| crafted interiors. Brushed metallic inserts embellish the | | | | suspensions excellent, and the TDI models' somewhat |
| instrument panel, door panels and center console, while | | | | stiffer sport suspension even better. Rough-road ride |
| bright chrome rings surround the instruments. Between | | | | was comfortably compliant, the power 4-wheel disc |
| the major gauges is a multi-function onboard computer | | | | brakes were strong and fade free, and the typically |
| display that provides key information on the selected | | | | crisp electro-mechanical, variable-assist, quick-ratio |
| gear, fuel economy, odometer and more. | | | | power rack-and-pinion steering gave us spot-on feel, |
| All 2010 Golfs offer 8-way manually adjustable front | | | | feedback and accuracy. |
| sport seats with adjustable head rests and lumbar | | | | Both engines offered more than adequate |
| support. The rear seats also have adjustable head | | | | performance, but, because it is torque that gets you |
| restraints, plus a center armrest and 60/40 split folding | | | | launched and accelerating from a stop, the amazingly |
| capability to maximize cargo space when needed. | | | | quiet and civilized turbodiesel feels stronger most of |
| Heated seats come with an optional cold weather | | | | the time. We look forward to extended time on U.S. |
| package that also adds heated windshield washer | | | | roads, but we could not have been more impressed |
| nozzles. | | | | during our 2-day Teutonic test drive in Germany. |
| An 8-speaker AM/FM radio with single-disc CD player, | | | | Yes, German-car parts and service can be pricey, but |
| MP3 CD readability and an auxiliary input jack comes | | | | VW's warranty covers pretty much everything, |
| standard on gas-engine models, while the pricier TDI | | | | including all scheduled maintenance, for the first three |
| cars come with a touch-screen 8-speaker system | | | | years or 36,000 miles, and the powertrain for five |
| with Sirius satellite radio, in-dash six-disc CD changer | | | | years or 60,000 miles. If you're thinking fuel-thrifty |
| with MP3 readability, theft deterrence and an auxiliary | | | | compact and looking at the wide selection of excellent |
| input jack. | | | | Asian and U.S. models on the market, we suggest you |
| The standard 16-valve twin-cam 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder | | | | widen your view to include VW's new 2010 gas or |
| engine pumps out a respectable 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of | | | | diesel Golf. |