Bye-Bye 2009: Best New Car of the Year
Story and photo by John LeBlanc
With only 500 samples slated for its two-year production, the Lexus LF-A super car was the most exclusive car I had the good fortune to drive in 2009.
The most outrageous? The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder. The Nissan 370Z was the most fun. And the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon gave me the most hope that we Canadian taxpayers will get some of our money back out from Government Motors.
But the 2010 Volkswagen Golf was the best car (based on overall competency, value-for-money and market relevancy) I drove. Between $20,000 and $30,000, here's a ride that does it all.
For starters, you get a choice of either three- or five-door hatchbacks or a full-on station wagon. All possess a practical, roomy and luxurious cabin that wouldn't look out of place in a $10,000 more expensive Audi. As in, say, the A3, that shares the Golf's platform and engines. From the solid closing doors to its grown-up seats to the soft-touch plastics and chrome trim, to the tight shut lines on its exterior body panels, everything about the Golf signifies VW's renewed emphasis on quality.
Second, VW offers the Golf in three distinct personalities. You'll find a smooth and relaxed 170 hp, five-cylinder gas version; fuel-sipping 140 hp, turbo-diesel; or fun-to-drive, 200 hp turbocharged GTI, a perennial Straight-GOODs fave. With the new diesel and GTI, you can also opt for a sophisticated dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Plus, it's German. So, the VW's chassis is a better compromise between out-and-out handling prowess and ride comfort compared to its chief rival, the Mazda3.
Of course, for about the same money, I hear there are a few '09 Chrysler Sebrings hanging around on dealer lots...
Comments
2 Responses to “Bye-Bye 2009: Best New Car of the Year”
January 8th, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Man, if I didn’t have 2 Labrador Retrievers I would love to have a 4 door GTI. So I’m stuck with wagons. At least there is the diesel Golf Wagon. Its about the least expensive wagon out there that can accommodate 2 medium sized dogs in the back.
Come trade-in time for our 2003 LW300, I plan to test drive one, and a Passat Wagon. Pricing is quite reasonable if you don’t select too many options.
January 15th, 2010 @ 10:10 am
[…] much a surprise, eh? As you may already know, I already picked the new Golf as the best new car introduced to Canada for 2010. As my Jury colleagues agreed, the Golf family’s diverse range with three- and five-door hatches, […]