Review: 2010 Volkswagen Golf

[bradyholt]

Volkswagen has always pitched its least expensive cars as a quality cut above the competition, with a higher level of refinement and solidity than the average econobox, and the company’s new 2010 Golf lives up to that standard in most ways.

Featuring mostly evolutionary updates to its styling and interior compared to its Rabbit predecessor, the Golf retains the outgoing car’s fine balance of ride and handling and improves much further on an already high-quality interior.

But this compact hatchback retains Volkswagen’s much-criticized 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which continues to be noisier and less fuel-efficient than in many economy cars – knocking it a bit short of “the perfect city car” this Golf’s window sticker calls it...

Continued at link:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...olkswagen-Golf

[calgaryhhr]

Pretty good write up. I have wanted to go and check out the new Golf Wagon TDI but haven't had a chance yet. I find it interesting that in the US the new Golf Wagon is still sold as the Jetta Wagon. In Canada a Jetta wagon is no longer available in name because it has now become the new Golf Wagon.

In Canada, the 5 door Golf comes standard with a 5 speed manual transmission and optional 6 speed auto across all trim levels. The diesel models come with a standard 6 speed manual.

[CheetahDC]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

Pretty good write up. I have wanted to go and check out the new Golf Wagon TDI but haven't had a chance yet. I find it interesting that in the US the new Golf Wagon is still sold as the Jetta Wagon. In Canada a Jetta wagon is no longer available in name because it has now become the new Golf Wagon.

In Canada, the 5 door Golf comes standard with a 5 speed manual transmission and optional 6 speed auto across all trim levels. The diesel models come with a standard 6 speed manual.

Jetta is the bigger name in the US.

[Bravada]

Nice write-up obviously!

Now, the Golf looks amazingly stale and plain in non-maxed-out versions. You wouldn't even know you're looking at a brand new version. I fail to understand how could anybody choose that car over the new Astra, save perhaps for Astra's ultra-high trunk lip (Opel wants you to keep fit!)

As concerns engine choices, why would VW even bother with the old five-cylinder??? The 1.4 and 1.8 TSI offer the same performance by every measure, and are much lighter, resulting in better driving experience and lower fuel consumption... This only adds to the car's "old" image in my eyes. Even with the scant choice of compact hatchbacks in the US, I don't think I'd consider a Golf...

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Nice write-up obviously!

Now, the Golf looks amazingly stale and plain in non-maxed-out versions. You wouldn't even know you're looking at a brand new version. I fail to understand how could anybody choose that car over the new Astra, save perhaps for Astra's ultra-high trunk lip (Opel wants you to keep fit!)

As concerns engine choices, why would VW even bother with the old five-cylinder??? The 1.4 and 1.8 TSI offer the same performance by every measure, and are much lighter, resulting in better driving experience and lower fuel consumption... This only adds to the car's "old" image in my eyes. Even with the scant choice of compact hatchbacks in the US, I don't think I'd consider a Golf...

What do you think you would buy here?

[Bravada]

1996 Buick Roadmaster :p

[ohmywrd8]

I really like the new interior update but I still like the exterior of the Rabbit (I love my car lol). It will probably grow on me though like the current generation Jetta had to do for me.

[Astra RL]

Brady, great as usual.
It would be interesting if the US got better versions of the Golf, because we really only get the most basic models with big engines currently.

Originally Posted by Bravada

Nice write-up obviously!

Now, the Golf looks amazingly stale and plain in non-maxed-out versions. You wouldn't even know you're looking at a brand new version. I fail to understand how could anybody choose that car over the new Astra, save perhaps for Astra's ultra-high trunk lip (Opel wants you to keep fit!)

As concerns engine choices, why would VW even bother with the old five-cylinder??? The 1.4 and 1.8 TSI offer the same performance by every measure, and are much lighter, resulting in better driving experience and lower fuel consumption... This only adds to the car's "old" image in my eyes. Even with the scant choice of compact hatchbacks in the US, I don't think I'd consider a Golf...

I really fail to grasp the point of having the 2.5 it idles louder than the 2.0 TDi, it doesn't rev very high, and gets poor mileage, what is the point.
I wonder if 2012 will finally be the departure for the Golf from its stuck in the past form.

[chinamonty]

So do you get basic Golfs and then the Scirocco as the "hot" one? If so then I would agree with that philosophy. I don't the GTi Golf has as much attraction in the US as it does elsewhere

[tbirderic]

Looks like a nice car, but no manual, no deal.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by Astra RL

I really fail to grasp the point of having the 2.5 it idles louder than the 2.0 TDi, it doesn't rev very high, and gets poor mileage, what is the point.
I wonder if 2012 will finally be the departure for the Golf from its stuck in the past form.

BUT IT'S GOT LAMBO HEADS

LAMBO HEADS

[calgaryhhr]

Originally Posted by tbirderic

Looks like a nice car, but no manual, no deal.

You have to come to Canada to get the good stuff! All Golfs in Canada come with a manual transmission, although it is a 5 speed. The diesel versions come with a 6 speed manual.

[Mr. Burns]

The new Golf is an improvement, though this is my kind of car: