The danger of guilty pleasures
The Golf is a nice car, but beware of wanting to make it nicer – the options game is a risky one. In the case of the City versions, the sales price can skyrocket. Six-speed automatic transmission: $1,400. Sunroof: $1,200. Air conditioning: $1,350. The sales price shoots up to $19,250 just by adding these three options, and that’s minus preparation, rims, onboard computer, power features, etc.
Thankfully, it’s delivered with a good deal of standard equipment, sporting four wheel disc brakes with ABS, a CD player and a USB port.
Sans T
When Volkswagen introduced the City version, the automaker could choose among a long list of compatible engines, such as the perky 1.8T. However, given the car’s sensible orientation VW settled on the little four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, 115-hp mill.
Designed with fuel efficiency in mind, the engine does its job beautifully, rarely exceeding 8.5 litres per 100 km. However, there is an issue relating to the overall insulation: the car is very noisy, especially when accelerating. On the highway you find yourself regularly cranking up the volume on the radio to drown out the ruckus kicked up by the tires and engine.
The five-speed manual transmission is well suited to the engine. Easy to use, it’s also nice to handle. The brakes are a good mix of efficiency and power.
The steering system is pure Volkswagen, direct and precise. It’s responsible for the driving pleasure to be had behind the wheel of the Golf City, an essential attribute. Add to that a firm suspension and the small stature of the car, and fun is definitely on the agenda.
Competition
Judging by its popularity, the Golf City has veritably taken the small, affordable car segment by storm. It hasn’t wiped out all the competition though: Chevrolet Aveo5 LT (from $16,570), Honda Fit DX-A (from $16,280), Kia Rio5 EX Convenience (from $15,995), Nissan Versa 1.8S (from $13,998), Suzuki SX4 and Swift+ (from $17,395 and $14,495) and Toyota Yaris LE (from $14,770). The Golf City starts out at $15,300.
Conclusion
In the industry, it’s a rare thing to see a car still manage to prosper despite origins dating back to over a decade. The Golf City is as accomplished as it was back when it was only known as Golf: practical, affordable, functional, well-equipped, and especially, very fun to drive. It won’t fail to charm many motorists, who will have made a good choice.
photo:Philippe Champoux, Matthieu Lambert, Volkswagen
The Golf is a nice car, but beware of wanting to make it nicer – the options game is a risky one. In the case of the City versions, the sales price can skyrocket. Six-speed automatic transmission: $1,400. Sunroof: $1,200. Air conditioning: $1,350. The sales price shoots up to $19,250 just by adding these three options, and that’s minus preparation, rims, onboard computer, power features, etc.
Thankfully, it’s delivered with a good deal of standard equipment, sporting four wheel disc brakes with ABS, a CD player and a USB port.
Sans T
When Volkswagen introduced the City version, the automaker could choose among a long list of compatible engines, such as the perky 1.8T. However, given the car’s sensible orientation VW settled on the little four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, 115-hp mill.
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| The Golf City starts out at $15,300. |
Designed with fuel efficiency in mind, the engine does its job beautifully, rarely exceeding 8.5 litres per 100 km. However, there is an issue relating to the overall insulation: the car is very noisy, especially when accelerating. On the highway you find yourself regularly cranking up the volume on the radio to drown out the ruckus kicked up by the tires and engine.
The five-speed manual transmission is well suited to the engine. Easy to use, it’s also nice to handle. The brakes are a good mix of efficiency and power.
The steering system is pure Volkswagen, direct and precise. It’s responsible for the driving pleasure to be had behind the wheel of the Golf City, an essential attribute. Add to that a firm suspension and the small stature of the car, and fun is definitely on the agenda.
Competition
Judging by its popularity, the Golf City has veritably taken the small, affordable car segment by storm. It hasn’t wiped out all the competition though: Chevrolet Aveo5 LT (from $16,570), Honda Fit DX-A (from $16,280), Kia Rio5 EX Convenience (from $15,995), Nissan Versa 1.8S (from $13,998), Suzuki SX4 and Swift+ (from $17,395 and $14,495) and Toyota Yaris LE (from $14,770). The Golf City starts out at $15,300.
Conclusion
In the industry, it’s a rare thing to see a car still manage to prosper despite origins dating back to over a decade. The Golf City is as accomplished as it was back when it was only known as Golf: practical, affordable, functional, well-equipped, and especially, very fun to drive. It won’t fail to charm many motorists, who will have made a good choice.
photo:Philippe Champoux, Matthieu Lambert, Volkswagen
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