2010 Volkswagen Golf

To some folks, golf is a challenging, often frustrating game played on sunny Sundays with a bag of expensive sticks and balls. To others, it’s an iconic German small car that’s been around since 1977. Originally, and again recently, named the Rabbit for North America (and for a time assembled here) its U.S.-market fortunes have ebbed and flowed along with those of the company. But it has been a perennial favorite and a long-running best seller in Europe and most other markets.


Now comes the 6th-generation Golf, introduced in Europe for 2009 and arriving stateside for 2010 starting at $17,490. Available in 3- and 5-door hatchback models (VW prefers to call them 2- and 4-doors), with a choice of eager 5-cylinder gas or peppy, fuel-frugal, turbocharged “clean diesel” TDI 4-cylinder engines, it is easily the best and most refined Golf ever. As a result, a jury of international auto writers named it the 2009 “World Car of the Year.”

Exterior Styling

The 2010 Golf wears a new “face” for the Volkswagen brand (good news, since not everyone was fond of the old one) with a wide, double-bar grille that blends smoothly into angled halogen headlamps. A body-color bumper separates it from a matching lower air intake bookended (on TDI models) by round “crystalline” fog lamps. Black window trim with no side moldings keeps the side appearance clean and simple.


Around back, a subtle, body color spoiler with integrated high brake light protrudes from atop the rear hatch. The wraparound taillamps incorporate integrated clear turn signals and backup lamps along their bottom edges. Running lights blended into the lower bumper flank a black lower-fascia insert with cutouts for twin exhaust tips.

Interior Amenities

Like its upscale division Audi, Volkswagen does finely crafted interiors, though the new Golfs we have seen have all been lined in coalmine black. Brushed metallic inserts adorn the instrument panel, door panels and center console, while bright chrome rings surround the instruments. Between the major gauges is a multi-function onboard computer display that provides key information on the selected gear, fuel economy, odometer and more.


VW also does excellent steering wheels, and the new Golf’s updated three-spoke example is no exception. Even better is the lovely leather-wrapped version with multifunction controls on TDI models. All 2010 Golfs offer 8-way manually adjustable front sport seats with adjustable head rests and lumbar support. The rear seats also have adjustable head restraints, plus a center armrest and 60/40 split folding capability to maximize cargo space when needed. Heated seats come with an optional cold weather package that also adds heated windshield washer nozzles. For fair-weather touring, a full power sunroof can be ordered on all models.


The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls are an ergonomic knob-and-button arrangement that complements the audio and (available) nav system controls. An 8-speaker AM/FM radio with single-disc CD player, MP3 CD readability and an auxiliary input jack comes standard on gas-engine models, while the pricier TDI cars come with a touch-screen 8-speaker system with Sirius satellite radio, in-dash six-disc CD changer with MP3 readability, theft deterrence and an auxiliary input jack.


Also standard on TDI models is a Mobile Device Interface (MDI), and a 300-Watt Dynaudio Lite premium sound system is available. Optional on all models are Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and a new touch-screen nav system with a 6.5-inch high-resolution display, integrated 30GB hard drive (10GB for navigation, 20GB for audio), DVD and WMA/MP3 CD playback, an SD memory card slot and an auxiliary jack in the center console.

Impressive Engines

The standard 16-valve twin-cam 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine pumps out a respectable 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, while the smooth and quiet 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TDI turbodiesel—the same one available in VW’s notch-up Jetta sedan and coming soon in the midsize Passat—generates a more modest 140 horses and a hearty 236 lb.-ft. of torque.