Folks-
I always enjoy posts on this forum and decided to share with everyone my impressions after test-driving a 2010 4-Door Golf TDI w/DSG. Please, note that my test drive lasted approximately half-an-hour and included both freeway and city driving. I will attempt to be as thorough as one can be after spending only a half-an-hour with the car.
In one sentence, 2010 Golf is one of the best Audis that I have driven lately. From the moment one steps in to a well-appointed cabin, settles into sporty, firm and incredibly comfortable seat, touches the perfectly sized leather-wrapped steering wheel, highlighted by formula-one type paddle shifters, and turns the fold-key to hear the subdued yet unmistakable engine note, it is easy to confuse the Golf with its more patrician cousins. When things get underway the head-snapping torque, quick-shifting DSG, the precise steering and capable chassis give an impression that you are driving a vehicle from Bavaria and not Wolfsburg. Even at speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour (please don't tell the dealership!) the car remained luxoriously quiet and was completely unfased by the heavy rain and strong crosswinds. The combined fuel economy for my short drive, which included lead-footed stints on the highway and some driving in heavy city traffic, was an impressive 34 mpg.
Few minor nitpicks will be familiar to VW drivers. First, the interior storage space is somewhat limited. Indeed, because of the MDI interface, the space inside the center armrest is usable mainly for change and other small items such as a cell phone or a pda. There are also small storage compartments (padded with velour I might add) in all four doors. While adequate for most users, they are probably insufficient for those who wish to lug their entire cd collection with them. Moreover, the cupholders (an important feature for many American users) seems too shallow to securely hold anything larger than a Starbucks tall. Second, while 60/40 rear seats do fold, they do not create a flat loading floor. Third, premium VIII radio has an intuitive interface, but I believe the sound is about average by today's standards. Audiophiles may want to sprint for Dynaudio speakers, which should improve things dramatically. Finally, in my humble opinion, the middle seat in the back is unusable by anyone other than a small child who can be bribed to seat there for a short trip. The relatively high transmission tunnel and front armrest leave no usable knee and leg room for the middle-seat occupant.
Even with the above knitpicks, Golf is a capable, fun, economical and practical premium hatchback that in many ways surpasses the vehicles that costs thousands more than it does. In fact, in a comparisson done by a Russian car magazine (Za Rulem, found at www.zarulem.ru), a Euro-spec V-Dub handilly beat an Audi A3 and a BMW 1-series. Thus, the only people unhappy about the arrival of the new Golf may be the folks at a local Audi dealership. Then again, there are people who will always pay to be a members of a more "exclusive" club. I, however, have sent an order to Wolfsburg for a Shark Blue Golf TDI.
I always enjoy posts on this forum and decided to share with everyone my impressions after test-driving a 2010 4-Door Golf TDI w/DSG. Please, note that my test drive lasted approximately half-an-hour and included both freeway and city driving. I will attempt to be as thorough as one can be after spending only a half-an-hour with the car.
In one sentence, 2010 Golf is one of the best Audis that I have driven lately. From the moment one steps in to a well-appointed cabin, settles into sporty, firm and incredibly comfortable seat, touches the perfectly sized leather-wrapped steering wheel, highlighted by formula-one type paddle shifters, and turns the fold-key to hear the subdued yet unmistakable engine note, it is easy to confuse the Golf with its more patrician cousins. When things get underway the head-snapping torque, quick-shifting DSG, the precise steering and capable chassis give an impression that you are driving a vehicle from Bavaria and not Wolfsburg. Even at speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour (please don't tell the dealership!) the car remained luxoriously quiet and was completely unfased by the heavy rain and strong crosswinds. The combined fuel economy for my short drive, which included lead-footed stints on the highway and some driving in heavy city traffic, was an impressive 34 mpg.
Few minor nitpicks will be familiar to VW drivers. First, the interior storage space is somewhat limited. Indeed, because of the MDI interface, the space inside the center armrest is usable mainly for change and other small items such as a cell phone or a pda. There are also small storage compartments (padded with velour I might add) in all four doors. While adequate for most users, they are probably insufficient for those who wish to lug their entire cd collection with them. Moreover, the cupholders (an important feature for many American users) seems too shallow to securely hold anything larger than a Starbucks tall. Second, while 60/40 rear seats do fold, they do not create a flat loading floor. Third, premium VIII radio has an intuitive interface, but I believe the sound is about average by today's standards. Audiophiles may want to sprint for Dynaudio speakers, which should improve things dramatically. Finally, in my humble opinion, the middle seat in the back is unusable by anyone other than a small child who can be bribed to seat there for a short trip. The relatively high transmission tunnel and front armrest leave no usable knee and leg room for the middle-seat occupant.
Even with the above knitpicks, Golf is a capable, fun, economical and practical premium hatchback that in many ways surpasses the vehicles that costs thousands more than it does. In fact, in a comparisson done by a Russian car magazine (Za Rulem, found at www.zarulem.ru), a Euro-spec V-Dub handilly beat an Audi A3 and a BMW 1-series. Thus, the only people unhappy about the arrival of the new Golf may be the folks at a local Audi dealership. Then again, there are people who will always pay to be a members of a more "exclusive" club. I, however, have sent an order to Wolfsburg for a Shark Blue Golf TDI.
