The car you keep overlooking, but shouldn’t

If you wanted to escape to one of the most populous cities in the United States for a long weekend, there are some tempting choices. America's 10 largest cities include New York, San Jose, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego and Chicago, among others.

Then there's Philadelphia.

Once the nation's capital and, in Colonial times, the second-largest English-speaking city in the world, it was America's largest city until 1840, and is home to some of its most historic and cultural touchstones like Independence Hall, Rocky Balboa and cheesesteaks. Now the nation's fifth-largest city, it rarely attracts the attention its more glamorous top 10 associates get.

So it's fitting that one of the city's most famous sculptures is Claes (CQ) Oldenburg's "Clothespin." By enlarging diminutive everyday objects that you otherwise wouldn't notice, the artist provided a metaphor for Philadelphia's perennial overlooked state, a reputation it's long had. Consider native comedian W.C. Field's barb that he went to Philadelphia "but it was closed." And he grew up there.

And while Philadelphia deserves more consideration, it's not alone. Any number of cities, services, and products go overlooked day in and day out.

Exhibit A: the five-door 2017 Volkswagen Golf, starting at $19,895.

Its more glamorous high-performance cousins, the GTI ($25,595$30,890) and Golf R ($39,375), grab all the press, not to mention most of this model's sales. In fact, the pair outsold its plainer sibling by nearly 44 percent for the first seven months of 2017. Given the difference in price, you might be surprised to learn that there's still much to love in the base Golf.

For 2017, Volkswagen has eliminated the two-door Golf and reduced the number of trim lines to a base S model and a more lavish Wolfsburg Edition.

All Golfs come well equipped, with the expected power goodies as well as a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It's ready for the 21st century thanks to auxiliary-in, an SD card slot, HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability, a USB multimedia interface with Apple iPhone/iPod/Android Auto integration, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and a rearview camera.

Stepping up, the Wolfsburg Edition adds a panoramic sunroof; leatherette seats; keyless access, push-button start; heatable front seats; automatic headlights; rain-sensing windshield wipers; 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking; and blind spot monitors with rear traffic alert. That's a lot of extra equipment for a mere $2,800.

And let's not forget the Golf's sleek exterior provides 93.5 cubic feet of interior space and 22.8 of cargo space, and that's before you fold the rear seats.

Power comes from a turbocharged, intercooled 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine also found in the Jetta sedan. Rated at 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, it's mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. However, choosing the manual reduces maximum torque output to 184 pound-feet, but increases fuel economy by 1 mpg on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Reaching 60 mph from a standstill takes 7.3 seconds, more than enough for daily commuting. But it's not speed that distinguishes this model; it's the Golf's impeccable demeanor, delivering the sort of nuanced performance that other automakers never master.

Its athleticism allows drivers to enthusiastically tackle corners while its ride remains more compliant than plusher, larger midsize sedans. Its precise steering is quick and its transmission is responsive, making the car a blast to drive. It never feels underpowered, harsh or like the economy car it is.

Enhancing the experience is a generous list of equipment and a quiet, well-assembled cabin with softtouch surfaces, quality materials and space for four adults and their gear.

It's a car that indulges your automotive passion while satisfying your desire for practicality. In fact, it delivers everything that you need in a car. And it does so at a very reasonable price.

This may not be so come 2018, when a revised Golf arrives with updated front and rear trim, LED lighting, a larger, 8-inch touchscreen, revised instrument cluster and more trim levels, no doubt at a higher price. But mechanically, the car will remain unchanged.

That makes the overlooked 2017 Volkswagen Golf one of the great buys right now. So let everyone else buy an overpriced SUV; smart buyers will get one of these.

It's as smart as taking trip to Philly– maybe even smarter.