Car Gazing
VW hatchback surprisingly refined
By Derek Price
Volkswagen's Golf is a master of disguise.
It's a hatchback, but it doesn't feel like the
little economy cars that dotted America's roadways through the 1980s.
Those were – I'll try to say this nicely – noisy, ugly rust buckets
that felt like driving wheeled cigar boxes.
This new hatchback is a far cry from the old ones.
Sure, it's small, but it doesn't seem cramped. It's also inexpensive,
but it doesn't feel cheap. It's more practical than many small SUVs,
but it's easy to maneuver and can be downright fun to drive.
In essence, it's a hatchback that doesn't feel
like one.
Hop inside the cabin, and the first thing you notice
is how surprisingly nice everything looks and feels. Colors, textures
and stylized gauges blend in a symphony of great interior design.
Look closer and you'll notice how well everything
fits, from dash pieces to leather or cloth trim on the doors and
seats. The dash materials seem custom fitted and snugly secured,
almost like they're glued onto solid granite by a master craftsman.
In typical German fashion, switches and knobs feel
tight and precise each time they flick or twist. Turn signals respond
with a nice "click," and everything from the radio dials to the
windshield wiper controls are designed to give the driver feedback.
Thankfully, the driving experience is designed
for the same thing.
The Golf features a taut, sporty suspension that
practically begs to be tested in curves. Body roll and nose dive
are kept to a minimum, making for a great car to blast down country
roads. Steering is among the very best in its price range, and brakes
feel heavenly with their progressive response and ample stopping
power.
On the flip side of this sporty demeanor, the Golf
isn't particularly comfortable for long trips. It has enough space
and a pleasant enough cabin to be a good tourer, but the aggressive
suspension and sensitive steering become annoying after hours on
the interstate.
The suspension and tires transmit little bumps
into the cabin – great for twisty roads when you want to feel the
car's performance – but those little bumps turn into a constant
low-pitched noise at high speeds. Wind noise could be improved as
well, but it isn't awful.
A five-speed automatic transmission is another
piece of shocking sophistication for a hatchback. It shifts smoothly
and quietly, plus it has the Tiptronic gear-selection tool that
lets you drive it almost like a stick-shift. If you want better
performance and more fun, opt for the five-speed manual gearbox.
It's cheaper than the automatic and is worlds better than having
to use Tiptronic to hold gears through corners.
Depending on what you plan to use the Golf for,
a whopping four engines are available. Volkswagen uses some funky
nomenclature, so here's a glossary:
- TDI: 1.9 liters, 90 horsepower, four cylinders,
diesel.
- GL: 2.0 liters, 115 horsepower, four cylinders,
unleaded.
- GTI: 1.8 liters, 180 horsepower, four cylinders,
turbo, unleaded.
- VR6: 2.8 liters, 200 horsepower, six cylinders,
unleaded.
Basically, if you want awe-inspiring gas mileage
that matches some hybrid gas-electric cars from Japan, pick the
TDI. If you want more power and regular fuel, choose the GL. Performance
seekers will want the turbocharged GTI, while those seeking luxury
and refinement should take the heavier VR6.
For compact car buyers, the Golf really has something
for everybody. You might call it the new "People's Car."
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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