2010 VW Golf

By Nick Yost

With more stringent fuel-efficiency and emissions regulations looming in the not-to-distant future, auto manufacturers are scrambling to produce passenger cars that will satisfy the government—and the buyers. 

By necessity (and the laws of physics), many of these new vehicles will have to be smaller, with less powerful engines and comfortable seating for no more than four passengers.

And that’s a tall order in a country where bigger has always been equated with better.

The good news is that there actually are a number of compact cars on the market right now that approach the upcoming requirements and provide comfortable, economical transportation for a family of four.

The bad news, for many, is that the bulk of our transportation needs will likely continue to be satisfied with fossil-fuel-burning engines for many years to come. The engines will become more efficient, but the general consensus is that internal combustion engines will remain the primary power source.

In any case, it’s not hard to envision the day a few years down the road when the American motorist will actually come to realize that smaller can be better— especially if gasoline prices skyrocket.

But, to be appealing, small cars need to have solid construction, a lot of safety features and upscale amenities. And, for those who think of their cars as more than just another appliance, they should be fun to drive.

Enter the newest Volkswagen Golf, a 6^th generation, 2010 model that edges the German brand toward the premium category.

The Golf has been the best-selling car in Europe for decades and more than 25 million have been sold worldwide. It is peppy, easy on fuel and combines a comfortable ride and upscale interior with excellent driving dynamics.

But, first, to avoid any confusion, let’s get the name game out of the way. The Volkswagen Golf , Jetta and Rabbit are essentially the same car. The Golf is a hatchback, the Jetta is a Golf with a trunk and the Rabbit is a name for the U.S. Golf that has been twice tried and twice dropped. Mechanically, these cars are essentially identical, but it should be noted that the Jetta is more popular in the United States than the Golf..

Recently I had the opportunity to try out a new, two-door Golf in and around Scottsdale in Arizona’s desert country.

Frankly, there’s not a whole lot of difference between the new Golf and the 2009 model, which was marketed under the Rabbit name, presumably for the last time.

The line-up of two-and four-door hatchbacks looks slightly different, but it is still only a more handsome variation on the efficient, boxy design that has characterized the Golf since its inception as the Rabbit in 1974. And, yes, a diesel-powered model has been added to the mix.

In addition, the interior, which was a cut above most of the competition in 2009, is further upgraded for 2010 with even higher quality materials and more comfortable seats.

But, if you are familiar with the Golf, all you have to do is spend a few minutes with a gasoline-powered 2010 model to realize it is pretty much the same car as its predecessor.

The VW provided for my inspection was a two-door model with only a few options tacked on to the $17,490 base price. A six-speed automatic transmission added $1,100, a sunroof added another $1,000 and oddly, considering the locale, a cold-weather package added another $225, Bottom line, including the $750 delivery charge, was $20,565.

The standard five-cylinder engine, 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, is a carry-over and it worked quite well with the gear ratios in the automatic transmission. There was plenty of power for passing and the engine hummed along smoothly and quietly at 75-mile-per-hour cruising speeds.

My only complaint, and it’s a minor one, involved the transmission. It lurched and lagged slightly when it changed gears at low speeds.

Fuel mileage, while not up to the standards projected for the future, was pretty good for this day and age. I averaged 25 miles per gallon of gasoline in more than 300 miles that combined stop-and-go rush hour driving with spirited motoring on scenic two-lane blacktops and several stints along the freeways that encircle Phoenix and its suburbs.

This matched up well with the EPA’s predicted 23 mpg around town and 30 mpg on the open road. Of course, had I been piloting one of Volkswagen’s peppy, diesel-powered Golfs, I could have actually achieved the government’s upcoming 35.5 average-mile-per-gallon requirement.

Most impressive was the Golf’s behavior on the curvy back roads. The electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion power steering was accurate and communicative and the independent suspension was able to swallow road imperfections without giving in to excessive body lean in the tight turns.

Around big cities, the Golf is small enough to scoot through traffic and fit into tight parking spaces. But it never felt like a typical small car. Its rigid body structure gave the Golf a solidity that made it feel like a larger, heavier car.

Inside, even though the Golf I drove was more or less an entry-level model, the appointments have been improved and the upgraded front bucket seats were comfortable and supportive.

If you need something to complain about, it’s that the interior comes only in near black and leather is not available even as an option.

The front seats work well for passengers of all sizes and the rear bench will easily accommodate a couple of 6-footers. However, although the front seats are easily moved forward, access to the rear is a bit awkward. Older Golf buyers will be a lot happier with the four-door models.

The rear hatch opens to a luggage compartment that is big enough to hold a jumbo-size suitcase and a few smaller bags. Push the 60/40 rear seatbacks forward and cargo space expands to a full 46 cubic feet.

One of the major concerns regarding the Golf is its price, which runs a couple thousand dollars higher than some of its competitors.

However, the least fancy models have a lot of standard equipment.

For safety’s sake, all Golfs are equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat front and side airbags, and full-length side curtains. Rear seat airbags are not available on two-door models and are an option on four-door Golfs.

Standard amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer and an audio system with CD player and MP3 capability.

A solidly built small car with excellent driving dynamics and a lot of standard and optional amenities—that may be just what the consumer orders when automotive downsizing becomes a necessity.

Additional automotive reviews by Nick Yost can be found at http://www.examiner.com/x-2270-NY-Autos-Examiner