But once you select power windows, doors and mirrors, the price escalates. This is not a criticism, only a reality. Then comes air conditioning and, if need be, heated seats. Adding the automatic transmission will put you in another category. My point is that the base model offers a lot for less... provided that you can content yourself with it. At $15,300, you have to add freight and delivery charges ($1,325) and, of course, taxes. Granted, all cars suffer this same fate.

Avoid costly options if you want your City Golf to remain a good deal.

Sporty soul, not a sporty heart
Finding a good driving position is easy. However, the massive center console rubs against the driver's right knee and thigh. The controls are easy to locate and manipulate. The seats are fairly large, reasonably supportive and comfortably soft.

When I talk about the City Golf having a "sporty soul", I refer to its handling. With 15-inch wheels and a 4-wheel independent suspension, the car does a good job of soaking up bumps and potholes while maintaining a straight line. While I noticed some understeer (which is normal for a FWD vehicle), safety in corners is never in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, performance is subpar -- especially with the automatic transmission (even with six gears at the driver's disposal, which is pretty rare stuff in the compact segment). Shifts are smooth but not quick. The 115-horsepower engine struggles to reach 100 kph (11 seconds). Likewise, passing maneuvers from 80 to 120 kph require extra attention, taking 9.5 seconds in manual mode and 10.5 seconds in auto mode. I strongly recommend the 5-speed manual gearbox, even though the throws are a bit vague. It performs better and you won't have to pay a $1,400 premium for the automatic transmission.

Since the City Golf's powerplant is several years old, don't expect outstanding fuel economy. The combined city-highway average is rated at 10.7 L/100 km, which speaks of the engine age. That being said, I'm more concerned about the car's braking performance: 41 meters are necessary to stop from 100 to 0 kph. That's too much. Oddly enough, as I mentioned earlier, the City Golf comes with four disc brakes. You should ask your retailer for high-performance brake pads.

The base model is worth it
The base City Golf offers great value. It will go from point A to point B safely, comfortably and smartly. If you insist on selecting option packages, comparisons will be necessary. The list of features is comprehensive, particularly in the comfort department. That's why the City Golf will be much more attractive to commuters than driving enthusiasts. The age factor does not help, but the overall driving experience is respectable. As for reliability, we'll have to wait and see, but Volkswagen seems to have made genuine efforts to improve its product lineup.


Photo Credit : Amyot Bachand