The No.1-selling car in Europe for the past 44 consecutive years is the Volkswagen Golf. Though not currently cracking America’s top 100 -- Golf struggles, as do many compact hatchbacks -- that doesn’t change the excitement generated by Golf’s abilities and price – basing in the low $20Ks

The seventh-generation Golf originally replaced the “Beetle” and was introduced to America in 1975 as the “Rabbit.” Volkswagen has never made an official explanation as to why the “Golf’ designation was not available to the United States until the 2010 model year, but from the beginning, the vehicle was one of the first small hatchbacks to break the bonds of the econobox perception, delivering an upscale hatch for economy prices.

Following a slight design tweak in 2018 – straightening out some rounded architecture, adding some detail and upscaling the interior – the 2019 Golf changes engines and adds transmission options and driver-assistance items. Available in two trims --S and SE --  Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert are now standard on both trim levels, and a Driver-Assistance Package has been added as an option for the SE trim; all 2019 Golf models feature Volkswagen’s innovative MIB II touchscreen infotainment system; and the big news is a powertrain change.

For 2019, Golf believes less is more  … less power is more fuel-effective, as Golf replaces its 1.8-liter TSI® engine -- 170hp and 199 lbs.-ft. of torque – with a 1.4-liter turbo rated at 147hp and 184 lbs.-ft. for a fuel-economy increase of 4 mpg/city and 1 mpg/highway – 29/city and 37/highway. The new powertrain is the same system employed by the 2019 Jetta, and it is paired with either six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Golf’s unitary construction, bolt-on front fenders and two solid mounted subframes form the exterior. Its front bumper and chrome-surround grille flanked on either side by carved LED daytime running lights provide the Golf a light signature, and at the rear, full standard LED taillights complete the display without distracting from the strong C-pillar and non-boxy lines. With a curb weight of 2873 lbs. for manual transmission (2945 lbs. for an automatic), the compact hatchback measures167.6 inches long, 58.2 inches high and 70.8 inches wide on wheelbase of 103.8 inches.

Golf power comes from a front-mounted engine and a front-wheel-drive set-up. Its new 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine was mated to a six-speed manual gearbox in my test ride, and the system is enhanced by an air-to-water heat exchanger built directly into the intake module in place of an intercooler. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the head, reducing the distance that exhaust gases must travel to reach the turbocharger, resulting in faster response and improved low-rpm performance, as well as increased torque throughout the rev range. Even with the power loss, acceleration was equal to the larger engine’s results, as I found the previous turbo hesitant with more turbo lag, and my zero-to-60mph test sprint was accomplished in 60 mph in 7.7 seconds during a 16.0-second quarter-mile. That actually beat my last test runs in earlier-model Golfs, by 0.3 seconds. The power loss was felt in passing at speed, as in those ranges, while there is less lag, there is also a slower power build-up, resulting in longer passing times – close, but a bit longer. And my week with the 1.4-T manual saw an average of 30.9mpg.

Inside, Golf seems a bit snug, but is actually roomy for the niche, and it is filled with electronics. Interior headroom comes in at only 38.4 inches in front and 38.1 inches in row two; legroom is comfortable in row one at 41.2 inches and a cramped 35.6 for the second seats; and shoulder room is 55.9 and 53.9.

The standard 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel emphasizes the driver-centric nature of the Golf cabin, and backlighting for the controls provides an upscale ambience. Both Golf trims feature a raft of comfort and convenience features often found on more expensive vehicles, including up-niche cosmetics, Climatic® air conditioning, cruise control, rearview camera, partial leather-wrapped handbrake and shifter knob, and partial power front seats.

Safety items include a combination of both passive and active safety systems; front and rear disc brakes; hill-hold assist; six airbags; and a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control and Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.  

The 2019 Golf 1.4T is available in two trims – the S and SE.—with the base S starting at $21,845. My test SE started at $24,145, and added an 8-inch touchscreen (upgrading the base 6.5-incher on the S), a panoramic sunroof and keyless access with push-button start to the base model. In Silk Blue Metallic exterior paint, my test ride was matched to a Titan Black V-Tex Leatherette interior and came with the 6-speed manual transmission – an automatic trans would have been an $1100 upgrade. The Driver Assistance Package added High Beam Control (Light Assist), Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, Adaptive Cruise Control and 17-inch alloy wheels for $1295. With Destination Charges of $895, my 2019 Golf SE stickered at $26,335.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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