• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2008 Volkswagen City Golf Road Test

Attractive German four-door sedan? Optional six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode? High-grade woven roofliner and cloth covered pillars? Extremely high quality soft-touch plastics throughout

This quality-built German road car fits in just about anywhere. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the interior? A height adjustable and telescopic steering wheel? Integrated turn signals in the exterior side mirrors? Standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD? An integrated CD/MP3/WMA compatible audio system with an aux plug and USB hookup? Is this an Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz costing more than $40,000? No, it's a bargain-basement Vee-Dub starting at $15,300... Canadian dollars that is.

That's right, this little compact actually competes against subcompacts like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris above the 49th parallel, cars that sell for a similar price when comparatively equipped... if that last part is possible. So why tell you about a Canadian-spec car you can't even buy? Well, if not just for the sake of delivering cool info that no other publication in the U.S. has available, it's kind of fun teasing VW fans about stuff they can't have. And don't cry too hard, folks, those lucky (unlucky) Canucks don't get within a hare's breath of the R32.

Back in 2006 when Volkswagen Canada announced that its previous generation Golf would be sold alongside the all-new Rabbit for thousands less than it did the year before, I was in shock. But it seems the decision to bring back its old Golf as the City Golf was the right one, as it gave the automaker and its dealers the entry-level car it has needed for years, critical for attracting new customers to the brand and therefore increasing sales. It just so happened that the car's timing, along with the City Jetta which was more or less 2005's Jetta renewed, couldn't have been more ideal, considering that 2007 might have otherwise been a terminal year for some of those dealers that have long relied on diesel sales to account for forty to fifty percent of total deliveries (a much greater percentage of diesel sales than in the U.S.). You see, the TDI was discontinued for 2007 due to noncompliance with new stiffer emissions regulations, and other than a fair number of 2006 models which were pre-purchased and stockpiled by Volkswagen Canada (and VW USA) to tide them over until clean diesels arrived, and the new City cars, sales were about to take a major dive off the proverbial deep end.

Rather than merely continue on with the old cars unchanged, Volkswagen's Canadian division has joined the other four jurisdictions that still use the old model (although none use the City Golf name in this application), including Mexico, South America, South Africa and China, and invested in the two cars that are so important to its growth. As a result the new 2008 City Golf gets a front and rear end redesign complete with new cat-like headlights, a shapely new corporate grille, revised fenders, a new hood, integrated turn signals in the reshaped exterior side mirrors, reworked bumpers front

It looks even better from the rear. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and rear, plus new wheel covers and new alloys, if so equipped. On the inside you'll find a new and extremely attractive instrument cluster with sharp looking aluminum rings, new higher-grade upholstery, as well as a great sounding standard double-DIN (takes up two spaces) MP3-compatible audio interface with an aux plug-in and a USB port, ideal for iPod shuffles and most other non-iPod external audio players. Additional standard features not already mentioned include variable intermittent front wipers, a height adjustable driver's seat and handy 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks. Access to those rear seats is easy, by the way, with the passenger seat moving

The headlights are the most obvious change. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

upward and forward with the flick of a switch, and there's a reasonable amount of room back there even for adults.

Optionally, the biggest change is a new six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual mode at $1,400 CAD (which is now on par with the greenback), making the City Golf the clear leader in automatic-equipped subcompacts. With that auto gearbox comes a trip computer, another oddity in this entry-level class.

For $1,175 CAD more, VW offers a Comfort package, which previously only included the power windows, power locks with the nicest switchblade-style remote in the class, and cruise control, but now features 15-inch alloy wheels as well. The alloys

No matter the features, the City Golf is extremely well put together. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

were only available with the sunroof before, and while the glass roof is still available, with VW's ultra-slick rotary control dial for incremental operation, it's a standalone option costing $1,150 CAD.

Probably of greater importance to some, the City Golf can be had with side thorax airbags for $160 CAD and side curtain protection for $450 CAD, plus, to better a driver's chances of staying out of trouble in the first place, optional electronic stability control (ESP) for $450 (CAD), which, via multiple sensors integrated with the ABS system, automatically applies the brake or brakes needed in order to bring a wayward car back on track and keep everyone inside safe. Additionally, this critically important safety feature incorporates electronic differential lock (EDL), anti-slip regulation (ASR) traction control, and an emergency brake assistant (EBA); the latter item otherwise known as brake assist or BA.

The little Vee-Dub handles well and delivers a comfortable ride. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

All of these features work together to keep the City Golf stable in slippery situations, something to think about as the trees around us struggle to hang onto their last leaves and evenings get a might colder.

Freezing temperatures in mind (this is Canada we're talking about after all), a Cold Weather package can be had for a mere $275 CAD, and if so equipped the City Golf gets VW's class-leading heated seats with their five-position butt warmers that go from toasty, at 1, to roasty at 5. This package also includes heated windshield washer nozzles, important, I've been told, for you poor sods who live outside of Vancouver... the only temperate city in the country.

Speaking of temperature augmentation, air conditioning is a standalone option at $1,350 CAD, and realistically there won't be many City Golfs brought into Canada from their Mexican assembly plant without the ability to cool things down inside, so for most people the base price should probably read $16,650 CAD. Just the same, one of our writers, Alexandra, never uses air conditioning but rather chooses to drive with windows down and a breeze flowing through the car. For her, the price is right at $15,300 CAD, although resale prices of cars without air conditioning can suffer.

Either way the City Golf is a great deal made even better when factoring in its 24 mpg city fuel consumption, and 34 mpg highway average with the manual installed. That average is pretty well identical with the new six-speed auto. OK, there are others in the City Golf's subcompact segment that do better at the pump, but the differences will be trivial to all but stringent penny pinchers and environmental zealots.

But

High quality touches are everywhere, like these premium-level door handles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

hold on a minute ... is the City Golf really a subcompact? Well, not really. After all, it was sold everywhere as a compact for a very long time, and is no smaller now, with the updates, than it was then. VW Canada's City tagline is “German engineering with a price inspired by Japan”, which is a fair assessment. Nissan has done something similar with its Versa, which is also compact in size but not in price or features. Comparing the two is a non-issue, however, as one offers the Euro styling, sporty driving dynamics and superb craftsmanship that I previously compared with BMWs and the like, while the other is a very, very good car that, unfortunately, inspires little passion unless ultra-comfortable seats, good interior quality and Bluetooth connectivity gets you excited.

Roomier than the average subcompact. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The same can be said for the entire subcompact segment, actually. There are some great cars in this bunch, and some that are even fun to drive. But only a couple look particularly good, and none offers the upscale ambiance and German engineering this little City Golf does.

But before I go gushing along about how wonderful life in a City Golf would be if you could only get your hands on one, let's put the little VW in front of a bright overhead lamp and a three-way mirror for a closer look. After all, the German brand hasn't exactly been lauded for reliability over the last decade, its old 1.8T four-cylinder and other electronic nightmares causing problems that have forced some third-party surveyors to give its cars the thumbs down for dependability. The somewhat old-tech naturally aspirated, single-overhead cam, 12-valve, 2.0-liter four in the City Golf has been pretty reliable, mind you, so I suppose this issue isn't as much of a negative as it was in the past. Also, to be fair, Volkswagen has improved its J.D. Power scores in recent years, for one, having been kicking out the gremlins in the machine, so to speak, with the entire brand rising through the ranks thanks to a much better 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powering the majority of its cars.

The City Golf's naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four is hardly the turbocharged 2.0T, however, as it's missing a couple valves per cylinder, not to mention that extra cam let alone its turbo, so it doesn't breathe as well and doesn't sound quite as sweet, plus it hardly moves as quickly. Still, with 115-horsepower and a 122 lb-ft of torque on tap it's more robust than every subcompact but the Versa,

More power than most in this class, the old 2.0-liter four-cylinder gets new life in the subcompact class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

yet all that high-quality plastic, sound deadening material and safety-grade steel weighs a lot too, so it doesn't exactly jump like a scared Rabbit either. In the same breath I can hardly complain about performance, as it moved through Orlando's outskirts, where the car was launched, without encumbrance and even felt sporting when the road opened up and started to wind.

Again, there are Vee-Dubs with superior road manners than the City Golf, but if this is a real problem there's no one stopping the Canadian consumer from paying thousands more for a Rabbit or GTI, or holding them back from opening up any number of aftermarket tuning magazines to find hundreds of go-fast parts for a previous-generation Golf, all of which will bolt directly onto this new version whether upgrading the MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear suspension or tweaking the drivetrain. Thriftiness being priority for the majority of

Top-tier switchgear and an audio system with an aux plug-in and USB connection set this car apart. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

subcompact buyers, the performance this stock City Golf delivered during my test drive was all that most people will want or need. The suspension has been slightly retuned to accommodate the heavier six-speed automatic, but all-round it's the same setup as last year's car, and to that end its solid, planted feel is more agreeable than anyone who has ever driven one of its rivals would expect. That same quality feel extends to the rest of the City experience, from shutting its doors and hearing that Teutonic thud VW fans have grown to appreciate over the years, to the eerily quiet cabin with minimized engine and road noise. Truly, it's in a class of one.

Along with that quality comes a premium-like comprehensive warranty of four years or 50,000 miles, plus a five-year, 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Add to that a twelve-year unlimited mileage warranty on the galvanized body, removing any rust concerns, and a pretty fail-safe argument can be made for purchase... once again, if you could only get your hands on one.

To that end there's nothing stopping you from driving north of the border and picking up a City Golf, but it might be wise to price it against a similarly optioned Rabbit before you do. Canadians tend to pay more for their cars than Americans (the hosers are getting hosed), although the difference isn't as bad in the lower end. Also, there may be issues licensing a car that hasn't been certified in the U.S., back across the line. If you can, you're in for a treat, for exclusivity's sake alone.

To keep costs down I would have thought VW would have limited colors to two or three, but true to the creativity of many owners the 2008 City Golf can be had in Reflex Silver, of course, Black, again, a no brainer, plus Tornado Red, Candy White, Mystic Blue, Arnica Yellow.

Which color does it look best in? Well, I initially drove the yellow car as it just jumped out at me, and while yellow seems to be passé it still works well for Ferrari and Lamborghini, so why not the City Golf? The silver is classic, the black

Woven cloth covered pillars are unusual in this class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

aggressive, the red sporty and white extremely trendy (a trend that was more or less started by the new GTI), but I'd have to go with Mystic Blue if it were mine, as it's just so classy.

Overall I like what VW has done with the City Golf. Its front end looks more like the Jetta and Passat, tying its design in with the new look of Volkswagen, while its jeweled rear taillights are even nicer than before. Inside it's also a more enjoyable place to do time, the revised audio system worth the update on its own.

And this is where I ask... why not in America? Yes, I know Americans don't buy as many low-priced subcompacts as Canadians, or Europeans, Asians, Indians, Africans or anywhere else that fuel costs are ridiculously high, but I think that entry-level buyers currently buying Yarii and Fits would consider purchasing the City Golf if available for a comparable price. It's just such a good car that nothing in the class can touch it.

Specifications (City Golf):

Page:  1

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo