What goes around comes back around (in better shape than ever)
Talk about a survivor.
Like the Beetle before it, the Volkswagen Golf hatchback has retained its basic boxy form ever since the first one rolled off the assembly line in 1974 as a ’75 model. However unlike the Beetle, successive generations of Golfs have resulted in a car that is as thoroughly modern today as anything else on the market.
The current made-in-Mexico Golf initially arrived for the 2015 model year. Compared to the previous version, it was stretched by about two inches overall, with most of the gain found between the front and rear wheels. The width also increased about a half an inch, while a one-inch reduction in body height between the rocker panels and the roofline helped give the Golf a more elongated stance.
A minor facelift for 2018 improved on the Golf’s conservatively shaped appearance that is the automotive equivalent of a finely pressed suit. This is one car that VW’s designers seemed to have scrupulously avoided faddish or controversial shapes that might draw unwarranted attention.
Mostly unchanged for 2019 is a passenger compartment that’s devoid of any hint of low-rent cost cutting. Both the front and rear seats are well bolstered and the soft-touch dashboard and controls would look right at home in more expensive German brands. A 6.5-inch touchscreen is standard, while an eight-inch version is available.
The Golf provides plenty of space behind the hatch opening for gear and groceries, either with the 60:40 rear seat folded (nearly) flat or left upright. The adjustable load floor can be lowered by close four inches if extra space is needed.
By far the most significant change to the 2019 Golf is the powertrain. The previous turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder has been replaced by a turbocharged 1.4.
The new engine, which is also installed in VW’s compact Jetta sedan, makes 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the 1.8, that’s down 23 horses and 16 pound-feet.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while an eight-speed automatic is optional. Previous Golfs offered a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic.
The reduction in output might give some buyers pause, but Volkswagen claims that overall performance has been only slightly affected. On the plus side, fuel economy has improved to 32 mpg in combined city/ highway driving, with either the manual or automatic transmission, which is up from 28 mpg.
No doubt the smaller engine and more efficient transmissions help lower consumption, as does a roughly-200-pound reduction in vehicle weight.
Looking for more spunk? Then check out the Golf GTI with its 228 horsepower and
258 pound-feet of torque, or the all-wheeldrive Golf R with 288 horsepower and 280 pound-feet. Either model will cost more
(the Golf R quite a bit more) than the basic Golf’s $22,750 starting price, which includes destination fees.
For 2019, Volkswagen has kept the ordering process simple with a two-trim lineup. The starting-point Golf S isn’t all that basic since it comes with climate control, power reclining front seats and 15-inch alloy wheels. Also standard is a partial list of crash-preventing active-safety technology, such as a blindspot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
The SE gets the larger touchscreen, a power sunroof, leatherette seat covers (heated in front) and 16-inch wheels.
The remaining active-safety content — adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and high-beam-headlight control— are optional for the Golf SE, as is an autodimming rearview mirror and 17-inch wheels.
The current trend to utility vehicles is causing some manufacturers to trim their small-car offerings, but for buyers who appreciate the look and feel of something more nimble, the multi-tasking and constantly improving Golf will not disappoint.