The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Veteran German compact gets new, smaller engine
There are a few different flavors of the Volkswagen Golf, but they all earn their “run like a rabbit” reputation. That’s actually a bit of a pun, since in German the word “Golf” means “rabbit.”
To add a bit of a history lesson for less age impacted readers, that’s why for many years the Golf was called the Rabbit here. Then the Germans decided we could be trusted not to think a car named Golf was for putt-putting around.
But even back then they had the reputation of being quick and nimble.
I’ve driven several versions of the Golf, including the spectacular Golf R. No matter what powertrain or level of power, the Golf retains its comfortable ride and very competent handling. Granted the higher up the performance food chain you go, the more impressive the control. But it is never less than “better than most of the competition.”
The model I drove this time wasn’t one of the performance versions but was still capable. It is powered by Volkswagen’s new 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine which also powers the new Jetta. It produces 147 hp. And 184 lb.- ft. of peak torque.
This is paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this doesn’t sound like much power, the Golf is a small car, and the transmission are well set-up to keep the engine’s power on tap. The added advantage is that the Golf’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 29 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.
Plus, the car’s power is enhanced by its nimbleness. The suspension uses a strut front suspension and in back is a multilink arrangement with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar. It does a nicely balanced job of riding smoothly without unnecessarily restricting its responsiveness. The steering and the brakes even better, which increases safety but the potential fun-factor as well.
This seventh generation of the Golf debuted in 2015, but there are a couple of changes for this model. The big one is the engine, which is becoming the standard four-cylinder of the lineup. The model lineup this year includes two trims — S and SE. Also, all Golfs nowcome with Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert.
In addition, the SE models make available an optional Driver Assistance package, including adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and 17-in. aluminum-alloy wheels. The Golf S, with a standard six-speed manual transmission, starts at $21,845. With the eight-speed automatic transmission it starts at $22,945. The SE has an MSRP of $24,145, with another $1,100 for the automatic. The destination charge for all Golf models is an additional $895.
Although introduced in 2015, the Golf was refreshed last model year, and certainly doesn’t look dated. LED daytime running lights now flank the front bumper and chromesurround grille and flows nicely into the character line on the side and back to the LED taillights.
The Golf S uses 15-in. aluminum-alloy wheels and the SE gets 16-in. wheels. All Golf models are fitted with automatic headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers both of which I’m happy to see manufacturers are starting to consider these essentials, as I already do. The SE trim levels add a standard panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof as well as fog lights.
Because of its shape the Golf has quite a bit of space. That means 93.5 cu. ft. of interior room, and 22.8 cu. ft. if you fill the cargo space to the roof. With the rear seats folded, the Golf has 52. Cu. ft. of cargo space.
While the interior design is fairly straightforward, it creates a pleasant environment for a sub-compact hatchback. The seats are comfortable and somewhat adjustable. The controls are logically placed and seem to be where your hands reach for them. The same with the instrument panel, things just seem to be where your eye looks for them. While there is a certain Spartan feel to the interior that is something that is classically German, even in their expensive vehicles.
But there are plenty of features, as all the connectivity and infotainment essential are on hand. They present themselves through Volkswagen’s display integration system using a touchscreen in much the same fashion as with smartphones. This both works well and is intuitive to use, once you understand it is different from the more normal displays is proletariat vehicles.
This is Volkswagen’s true mass-market competitor, which any vehicle in the compact segment must be. It tends to set a stance on the lively end of the offerings, much like the Mazda3. At the other end of the list are vehicle such as the Chevrolet Cruze hatch, Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte5. In between are the Honda Civic hatch and Subaru Impreza.
While all these cars are decent, they each also make a different statement. Frankly the Golf’s statement makes it stand out in this class, partly because of the “hot hatch” reputation over the years. Not only are Volkswagen’s Golf historically one of them, they prob ably were the impetus for that name coming into common use as a definition of this hot-rod slice of this segment.