 2010 Volkswagen GTI. Click image to enlarge  2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Volkswagen Golf
2010 Volkswagen GTI
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec – In 1974, the original VW Golf was launched in Europe, but it was not until the following year that customers in North America had a chance to drive it. We had to be different here and call it the Rabbit, only to scrap that name for the second-generation model in 1985, and call it the Golf. Fast forward to the 2007 model year when the Rabbit name was resurrected for the fifth generation model, while the fourth-generation model continued on as the budget-priced City Golf. Then in 2009, it was announced the sixth-generation car would return as the 2010 Golf.
Let’s hope Volkswagen has finally decided to keep the name that the rest of the world uses.
The redesigned 2010 Golf is available in three body styles: two-door hatch (which VW calls a three-door), four-door hatch (VW calls it a five-door), and a new four-door wagon bodystyle that replaces the Jetta Wagon. There are three engine choices and a total of five trim levels depending on body style and engine choice.
The standard powertrain is the familiar 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder engine (available in all three bodystyles) that produces 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. Energuide fuel consumption ratings are 10.4/7.0 L/100 km (city/highway) for the manual and 9.2/6.9 L/100 km (city/highway) for the automatic.
 2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon. Click image to enlarge |
Diesel aficionados will welcome the addition of the 2.0-litre TDI “Clean Diesel” engine (offered in the four-door hatch and wagon) that produces 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Fuel consumption ratings are 6.7/4.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the manual and 6.7/4.6 L/100 km (city/highway) for the automatic. The diesel engine comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed DSG transmission.
The sporty GTI (two-door and four-door hatch) is offered with VW’s well-known 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque – it’s available with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG transmission. Fuel consumption ratings are 10.0/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) for the manual and 8.7/6.3 L/100 km (city/highway) for the automatic.
 2010 Volkswagen Golf 3-door. Click image to enlarge |
All 2010 Golfs come with a high level of standard equipment, including power windows, power locks, keyless entry, manual climate control, cruise control, six airbags, tilt and telescopic steering and a class leading interior treatment that would fit well in many higher priced vehicles.
The 2010 Golf lineup starts with the two-door hatchback at $20,175 for the base “Trendline” model. The two-door is also available in “Sportline” trim at $23,900, the only non-GTI trim available with the sport suspension. The “Sportline” trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, sport seats in cloth, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sunroof, premium touch-screen radio, and cold weather package. According to VW Canada, the two-door version is expected to represent only approximately 10% of all Golf sales, and as a result, it is available with fewer option choices than the four-door.
