2010 Volkswagen Golf

Downsizing Without Compromising

Volkswagen is set to nudge the bar to new heights in the compact sedan segment at a time when consumers are looking to downsize their vehicle aspirations. With buyers' preferences shifting from big gas guzzlers to trimmer, more efficient models, interest in smaller vehicles is on a roll.

However, shoppers still want the touches of luxury and comfort they've become accustomed to in their large sedans and SUVs - and VW is confident the upgrades it has made to this sixth generation of its popular Golf will meet those expectations.

VW used the unique locale of Iceland to take the wraps off the new Golf, which will show up in Canada a year from now as a 2010 model. The relevance of this rugged but beautiful terrain to the new Golf may seem a stretch, but VW spokespeople explained this country makes unique impressions on its visitors and they expect their new compact sedan will do the same on consumers.

The arrival of the new Golf in Canada next year will signal the end of a familiar nameplate - the Rabbit will again fade into the bushes, replaced by the Golf badge. Although only on the market in our country for a couple of years, the current-generation Rabbit was actually known as a Golf outside North America - and it had been on sale for three years globally before it showed up here. It was a fine vehicle, but it became somewhat dated as competitive brands brought out newer products. Now, with this next-generation model, Canadian Golf buyers will be able to benefit from the latest technologies in this iteration, which will first go on sale in Europe.

The Golf is a key product for VW worldwide. In Canada, it trails only the City and Jetta in overall sales. Bruce Rosen, VW Canada's director of marketing and communications, says his company, which is now independent of its U.S. cousin, intends to build a "family of Golfs" that could eventually include the City and Jetta Wagon. Initially, however, the family will be limited to a three-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, plus a new GTI iteration that will be introduced at the upcoming Paris auto show. Three trim levels will be offered: the base Trendline, the mid-range Comfortline and the premium Highline.

Canadian specifications are still being finalized, but it will share the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine currently in use here, while the GTI will be powered by the 2.0L TSI engine. The transmission choices will be a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, while VW's DSG feature will be added to the GTI.

The 2.5L, which develops 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, is exclusive to North America, so it wasn't unexpected that the fleet of Golfs available in Iceland didn't include that engine. We did, however, have an opportunity to drive the European 2.0L TDI "clean" diesel (140 hp) and the 2.0L TSI (160 hp), both in five-door hatchbacks. The output of the 2.0L TSI is comparable with the Canadian engine, so the peppy performance we experienced here should be representative of what buyers at home will enjoy when the 2010 Golf hits our streets. It climbed up Iceland's lava hills with ease, cruised smoothly on the winding primary and secondary roads and had plenty of extra grunt when a request for passing speed was made.

The 2.0L TDI was even more responsive, snapping quickly into full song when the go pedal was pushed. There was no trace of the engine knock associated with many diesel engines - just quiet, smooth power.

It's a shame this engine isn't on the option list for the new Golf, although Rosen says the door isn't completely closed. "We're examining every opportunity to get it in the lineup," he says, adding that VW has been very vocal about the fact diesel is its strategy for the future.

The handling capabilities of the new Golf are superb. On a winding, secluded route, the Golf was pushed far beyond typical limits, but it coped without a fuss. In fact, it was downright fun to play with.

While the new Golf has been redesigned inside and out, it's the high level of quality and quietness inside the cabin that impresses most.

The interior was crafted to give the impression that it is a mid-sized car, which will appeal to those moving down to a compact for economic reasons. Certainly, the spaciousness designed into the Golf is a major factor in this. The perception of quality is evident, with soft-touch materials and exceptional fit and finish even on the early production models. Ergonomics are amongst the best in any compact, continuing one of the most compelling features of the previous generation Golf; even taller people can fit comfortably, the front seats are multi-adjustable and very supportive, and all the major controls are where one would like them to be for ease of driving.

Volkswagen put much effort into reducing noise in the Golf, and it has paid off with a feeling of increased refinement. To that end, there is sound-dampening film on the windshield, new seals on the doors, new outside mirror shapes, more sound deadening between the engine and passenger compartments, quieter tires, and new engine bearings. The result is a level of quietness on the road that approaches that of the premium Phaeton.

Safety technology continues to proliferate regardless of size or segment, and the Golf has a full suite of features that not so long ago, you would see only on larger premium cars. On the passive side, besides the customary strengthening of the body shell itself, the Golf will have up to nine airbags including a driver’s knee bag, as well as VW’s version of active head restraints that it is calling "Whiplash Optimized Head Restraint System," or WOKS.

Active safety in the form of ABS and Electronic Stability Program continues, of course, joined now by technology new to the Golf, if not the compact segment, called DCC Adaptive Chassis Control, which might be simply described as active dampers. The system continually reacts to road and driving conditions to provide the optimal settings for control and safety. The "automatic" setting can be overridden with "comfort" and "sport" settings, and having tried them all, it can be said that the DCC system yields noticeable results. The Golf can be as comfortable or as sporty as the driver desires.

Also new on the Golf will be ACC Automatic Distance Control, basically laser-based cruise control that maintains a set distance to the vehicle ahead, and Park Assist, which will parallel-park your Golf for you, no hands needed on the wheel. It seems technology knows no bounds these days when it comes to finding alternatives to skills a driver should already have. One new feature that is definitely useful is the Rear Assist, a rearview camera that will also be available.

Downsizing shouldn't mean buyers have to compromise quality and comfort, and, with the new Golf, they won't.

VW Canada has already confirmed that the Golf will be once more actually called "Golf"; the "Rabbit" experiment is over, at least in this country. We may not see it for another year, but those looking for substance, refinement and technological sophistication in a compact car will likely consider it to have been worth the wait.