If the normal Passat is too boring for you, Volkswagen North America has a solution in the 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT
Did you know, you can measure the heat of a chili pepper? Well, you can, in a measure called Scoville Heat Units (SHU), after pharmacist Wilbur Scoville. Instead of simply judging how hot a pepper is by how much you cry after you eat one, you can actually attach a number to it!
On the low end of the scale, let’s start with one the most common peppers we eat. The banana pepper is sweet and mild, registering from 0 to 500 SHUs. This, in a manner of speaking, is your everyday Volkswagen Passat. It’s not spicy. At all. You can drive one around all day long and no one will even notice you. Not that you’ll be having a blast either, mind you. Volkswagen designed the Passat to be a sensible family choice. It’s large, solid, comfortable, and generally inoffensive. Don’t get me wrong, the car is perfectly competent. Dynamic, however, it is not. Until now, claims Volkswagen – meet the 2018 Passat GT.
[Photo: Volkswagen]Now, on the other end of the scale from the banana pepper, there’s the Carolina Reaper – the hottest chili pepper in the world. It comes in at 2.2 million SHUs, over twice the spice of a ghost pepper. Is the Passat GT any closer to that level of hotness after VW’s engineering team got hold of it?
2018 Volkswagen Passat GT – the differences
On its face, things look encouraging. The Passat GT will be a limited-run model based off the Passat R-Line trim. Volkswagen will sell it to you in four (non-unique) colors – Pure White, Reflex Silver, Platinum Grey, and Deep Black. Don’t expect neon colors here, this is still a serious, grown-up car. It will come with standard LED lights all around, and borrows the R-Line’s bumper. For those looking for a bit of GTI flavor, the Passat GT has red accent lines running along its grille and headlights. Volkswagen also lowered this model, added sport suspension, and some sportier 19-inch wheels hiding red-painted brake calipers.
Red brake calipers, you say? Surely, that shouts performance! Well, it does help the Passat GT look the part. If you buy a Passat GT, you’ll be asking those brakes to stop the power from Volkswagen’s trusty 3.6-liter VR6 engine. Although the GT comes with a sport exhaust, the engine puts out 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Yep, the same power levels you get in the current Passat V6 SEL. Shifting it along is a six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Volkswagen didn’t specifically mention where that power’s going, but as with the current V6 Passat, we expect that power will be fed to the front wheels.
[Photo: Volkswagen]Things are a bit different in the Passat GT’s interior as well. You get a piano black center console and some carbon fiber trim. This special model also has a black headliner and aluminum “GT”-badged door sills. No matter which exterior color you buy, you’ll be treated to a Black leatherette interior with Moonrock Gray inserts.
Pricing starts under $30,000
So, what do you get for your money? Volkswagen will sell you the Passat GT with lowered suspension, sport exhaust, and some aesthetic changes to separate you from the normal Passat pack. Pricing starts at $29,090 – which is good value for a V6 Passat. It slots right in the middle between the 2018 Passat R-Line and the V6 SEL Premium. The car also comes backed by VW’s 6-year/72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
In terms of heat, this isn’t a banana pepper. Its more like a chipotle pepper. It’s a bit hotter with that new exhaust system and flavorful accents, but it won’t blow your head off. But that’s okay – the Passat is normally the sort of car you buy if anonymity suits you. This still has most of the subtlety, but Volkswagen’s engineers have injected it with a bit more character.
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT will be on display at the North American International Auto Show. Expect the car to arrive at U.S. dealers in the second quarter of this year.
To see just how much the Passat has moved on in recent years, check out this video of the 2017 Passat against its ancestor from 2002. Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for Detroit Auto Show videos on your favorite new models!
Alpine Electronics is rolling out new weather-resistant 9-inch infotainment systems for 2011-18 Jeep Wrangler JKs. [Photo: Alpine Electronics]The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is the world’s largest gathering that brings together the latest electronic gadgetry, home electronics, and latest technological wizardry every year since 1967. This year, Alpine Electronics is rolling out more sound systems and camera systems that fit 3rd generation Jeep Wrangler (JK).
Jeep Wrangler owners won’t ever experience screen envy ever again, posits Alpine. They’ve designed an aftermarket in-dash system that features a 9-inch screen, is weather resistant, and has an off-road mode function when venturing into the wild.
“Wrangler owners are passionate about their vehicles and use them to their full capacity,” said Mike Anderson, vice president and general manager, aftermarket business unit, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. “The Off-Road Mode in the X209-WRA-OR delivers tools to help them tackle the terrain when trailing.”
[Photo: Alpine Electronics]
New Jeep Wrangler JK Restyle Dash Systems
The new X209-WRA-OR in-dash system with 9-inch screen and Off-Road Mode will fit 2011-2018 Wrangler JK models. The Off-Road Mode has a tracking function that records trails and stores distance and travel time. Sharing trail information with friends is easy as copying the data to a USB stick.
When the Off-Road Mode is activated, the 9-inch screen converts to an off-road centric user interface. An information bar on the top of the screen displays vehicle data (tilt angle, tire pressure, battery voltage, GPS coordinates), tracking distance, tracking time, and compass readings. When the navigation source is chosen, additional soft keys for map operation and tracking operation appear.
When you use the X209-WRA-OR with the new HCE-2100RD Multi-View Rear Camera or HCE-C2600FD Multi-View Front Camera (both sold separately), you activate the Off-Road Mode camera interface. Three viewing modes (ground, tire, and panorama) let the driver view uneven terrain during rock crawls or trailing. Soft keys on the X209-WRA-OR allow for the switching of the cameras and view from the touchscreen.
The announcement from Alpine Electronics also calls out the new i209-WRA mech-less system with a 9-inch screen (for 2011-2018 JK), and the i207-WRA mech-less system with a 7-inch screen (for 2007-2018 JK). These models have a lower price point and don’t feature Alpine’s Off Road Mode. However, each model comes with a dash bezel that replaces the OEM radio for a better-than-factory fit and finish and Wrangler-specific wiring harnesses.
All three Jeep Wrangler Restyle dash systems can modernize the JK with the following features:
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
Audio sources any one of the following – HD Radio, iPod and iPhone, audio streaming, Pandora, FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Control) music playback via USB, and SiriusXM
DVD Video, which is included on X209-WRA-OR, or from external DVD player that can be connected to the i209-WRA and i207-WRA.
Built in navigation system on the X209-WRA-OR with driving directions and free lifetime HERE® Traffic RDS service. Navigation guidance is available from Maps on Apple CarPlay® or
Bluetooth wireless technology with call waiting and audio streaming
Connection of iDatalink Maestro module retains select Wrangler controls and features
Alpine Electronics is also offering 9-speaker, direct-fit sound systems for Jeep Wrangler JKs. [Photo: Alpine Electronics]
Rear and Front Camera Interface for Factory JK Wrangler Screens
Alpine’s SGS-CH01 part for FCA vehicles provides means to integrate Alpine cameras with the Wrangler’s factory head unit. The SGS-CH01 adds active guidelines to the camera image. If you install multiple camera systems, you can use the SGS-CH01 with the KCX-C2600B Universal Camera Switcher. The KCX-C2600B comes with a button to toggle between the two cameras switch between camera views.
Alpine will release the X209-WRA-OR 9-inch Restyle Dash System for 2011-18 Jeep Wrangler JK models in February at a suggested retail price of $3,500. The i209-WRA 9-inch and i207-WRA 7-inch mech-less systems are available now. They’ve set the price for the i209-WRA at $2,200, and the i207-WRA will be $1,200.
Read the official press release that has more information from Alpine Electronics by clicking HERE.
The new year always brings lots of exciting news and material (stay tuned to TFLcar.com for that). However, it also allows us to reflect on the previous year. In this video, Andre and Nathan take time to count down the top 10 worst-selling cars of 2017. This list originally came from our friends at Autoblog – special thanks to them for coming up with this list!
#10 – Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – 744 Units
This is one of a handful of vehicles on this list that is actually being discontinued for next year. I guess people were not too excited about the Mercedes-Benz attempt at a compact electric hatchback. Perhaps they will make some changes and try to bring it back in the future.
#9 – Dodge Viper – 585 Units
[Photo: Dodge]This vehicle is also discontinued for 2018. Fortunately, it set a lap record at just about every track it set foot at last year with the ACR variant. Many of us are sad to see the Viper go, but with sales figures that small, it’s easy to see why Dodge binned it.
#8 – Acura NSX – 581 Units
[Photo: Acura]This is somewhat of a concerning number for Acura, given how great of a car they produced. However, with a starting price tag over $150,000 it could be the case that people would like to end up in a more high-end brand for that kind of money. On the other hand, it could be argued that this is somewhat of a bargain. Featuring the same technology as the McLaren P1 for a tenth of the price.
#7 – Nissan GT-R – 578 Units
[Photo: Nissan]This car is getting OLD. Debuting when George “Dubyah” Bush was in office, this car may be seeing declining sales figures due to its age. While it is still an incredible performance car for the price. People are just not buying very many.
#6 – BMW i8 – 488 Units
[Photo: TFLcar]The i8 may be suffering due to its performance on the road. While it is certainly fast, it is not nearly as fast as one may hope for a hybrid sports car. In fact, it is not even close to the fastest car that BMW sells. Good looks can only get so far, and the sales of this stylish sports coupe have certainly showed that.
#5 – Kia K900 – 455 Units
[Photo: Kia]This car is a classic case of right car, wrong brand. The K900 was not a bad car. It was a big, luxury sedan that unfortunately just didn’t fit in well with Kia’s brand identity. As such, it is no surprise that this car is being discontinued for 2018.
#4 – Alfa Romeo 4C – 407 Units
[Photo: Alfa Romeo]This car may just have an issue with practicality. It is a two-seater with almost zero trunk space. If you were buying something to use purely as a track car it might be perfect. However, the American buyer may be better conditioned to buy something with more seats and usable space. Furthermore, it didn’t come with a manual transmission. So those looking to buy it as a driver’s car may also be disappointed. It has not been discontinued yet. But if sales keep going like they have been, it may be gone soon.
#3 – Bentley Flying Spur – 257 Units
[Photo: Bentley]This car is just super expensive. Bentley doesn’t sell a ton of vehicles anyways, as seen by the next car on this list.
#2 – Bentley Mulsanne – 98 Units
[Photo: Bentley]If the $189,000 Flying Spur was having trouble selling, then the $300,000 Mulsanne was going to have a real tough go at it. Not even 100 units sold.
#1 – Ford GT – 89 Units
[Photo: Ford]This is a number very much made by Ford’s own doing. They were extremely careful about how many they sold. In fact, you had to apply to even be able to purchase one. In total, Ford is supposedly going to make 1,000 all together, but it may take them a while to sell them all.
Be sure to watch the whole video for more explanation as to why these cars sold so poorly. Make sure you stay until the end to hear what the bonus was! Be sure to stay tuned to the TFLcar and TFLnow YouTube channels for more fun lists like this one.
The 2018 North American International Auto Show is almost here! We’ll be coming to you live from Detroit this weekend with videos on all-new models. There’s a lot to cover this year, so this video is meant to be a preview of what you can expect in Detroit this time around. From sedans to crossovers, from redesigns to all-new models (and brands), this show will have it all!
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more coverage of the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Watch the video above for an idea of what we’ll be covering, and scroll through the pages below for information on each car mentioned in the video. We’ll cover all this plus much, much more on TFLcar and TFLtruck.com. In the meantime, subscribe to TFLnow on YouTube to catch all our videos from the show! And there will be plenty. Also subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and The Fast Lane Truck for more videos on your favorite new models!
[Photo: Jaguar]The launch of the 2014 Jaguar F-Type heralded the marque’s return to a classic, two seat convertible sports car. It’s something that has been missing from the iconic British manufacturer’s model lineup since the legendary XK-E, known globally as the E-Type. The F-Type represented the rebirth of a seriously sexy sports roadster for two, with performance to spare. While the recently-departed XK was also a convertible model, it didn’t quite have the same sporting flavor of Jaguar’s past roadsters. Not since the legendary XK120, 140, 150 and E-type had Jaguar produced a true sports roadster for the avid driving enthusiast. If you want to keep your driving truly focused, Jaguar offers the F-Type as a coupe, as well as a convertible.
WHAT’S NEW
I had the opportunity to test the 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible base model, but there are five trim levels choose from. Jaguar kicks off with the entry-level base F-Type. Farther up the range are the R-Dynamic, the 400 Sport, and the R convertible. If you want the absolute last word in performance from your F-Type, there’s the SVR model.
The Jaguar F-Type is seductive from every angle, in either coupe or convertible form. The car continues Jaguar’s sporting bloodline that reaches back more than 75 years, to the days of the old XK120. According to Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Design Director, the F-Type is as exciting to the senses as the iconic C-Types, D-Types and XK-Types were. The new F-Type displays sophisticated glamour and beauty that will make it a sought after, collectible sports car. It exhibits near-perfect proportions and stance, with a long hood, a rearward-positioned cabin, a short rear deck and short overhangs.
Up front, the sculpted, clamshell hood features a central power bulge and functional, slotted vents. Those are blended with powerful fenders that appear to be “shrink-wrapped” over the car’s mechanical form. The projector-beam headlamps appear appropriately as cat’s eyes, just above the large main grille. That grille sports a piano black, horizontal bar ahead of its mesh inset. It’s flanked by twin air inlets that sit above a lower grille and front splitter.
The car’s rear view emphasizes its width. It features narrow, distinctive LED taillamps and a broad diffuser that houses the exhaust outlets. The F-Type convertible is equally attractive with the top up or down. The top, incidentally, is a “Z”-fold unit that operates in either direction in 12 seconds at up to 30 mph. The exterior door handles pop out, activated by touch or fob and retract to a flush position when the car is in motion.
[Photo: Jaguar]
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
The cockpit is unashamedly driver-focused in terms of controls and switchgear. Jaguar positioned the dashboard nice and low for excellent visibility. The center air vent atop the dash disappears from view along with control icons with the ignition off, a Jaguar party piece. The bronze-accented toggle switches below the three rotary knobs, and substantial three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters contribute to the F-Type’s sport persona. It feels like you could be sitting in an actual jet fighter.
This Jaguar F-Type Convertible’s exterior was finished in Indus Silver, while the interior was executed in Ebony. Jaguar’s barrier to entry into the F-Type world stands at $63,000. However, extras such as the Climate Package, metallic paint, Keyless Entry, Blind Spot Monitoring move the mark a bit. On top of those options, Reverse Traffic Detection, Homelink, Auto High Beam Assist, Auto-dimming door mirrors, a wheel lock pack, a “Car Care Kit” and Destination charges rack up to a final total of $67,793.
In a simple analysis, the 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible serves up the same emotional design quality as its more expensive stable mates. Despite the obvious lack of speed, it is affordable, coming in at nearly half the cost of the SVR. The technology level is more than satisfactory. The seats are supportive and comfortable as well. Jaguar equipped all F-Type models with an Intelligent Stop/Start system to enhance fuel economy. The F-Type’s lightweight body also improves fuel economy and agility, thanks to extensive use of highly formable AC170 aluminum.
[Photo: Jaguar]
PERFORMANCE
Jaguar offers three powertrains for the F-Type. The base F-Type convertible I tested houses a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It sends 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Next up is a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6. That one pumps out 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, you can get it with either the eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. A more powerful supercharged V6 S is also available that delivers an additional 40 horsepower and 7 more lb-ft of torque. However, that one mates only to the eight-speed automatic. The 400 Sport, as the name implies, cranks out 400 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6.
The SVR F-Type is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which cranks out 575 horsepower and develops 516 lb-ft of torque. By contrast to other models in the range, the SVR F-Type is all-wheel drive to better handle the immense power bump. All F-Type engines are longitudinally-mounted, befitting a sports car with such a long hood.
Acceleration in the base model is better than you’d expect, and braking is equally impressive. The ride quality and stability renders the car solid and planted, without any sensation of harshness. The steering input delivers an on-center feel and was incredibly responsive. In fact, Jaguar finely tuned every response, from the steering to transmission shift points, throttle, brakes and suspension. Everything came together to deliver the most connected, accurate and involved driving experience possible in a four-cylinder convertible.
They also emphasized the driver’s environment through an asymmetrical cabin layout. Jaguar placed all the controls in a natural, logically grouped fashion, allowing for the driver to concentrate on the experience. A grab handle sweeps down the center console on the passenger side, delineating it from the driver’s position and wrapping around the center console.
TFLCAR’S TAKE
Virtually everything about the Jaguar F-Type Convertible stirs ones senses and emotions. It more than satisfies Jaguar founder, Sir William Lyons’ edict that “All Jaguars have to look fast, even when they are standing still”. The F-Type definitely deserves a reputation as a luxury sports roadster. It’s obviously not in the same league as the SVR F-Type, but think of what all the money saved can buy. In any case, the F-Type plays a significant role in Jaguar’s return to providing the world with a desirable and affordable sports car.
While Jaguar honed the base F-Type to be a great entry-level sports roadster, check out the video below if you want to see what it can do with a massive V8. Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for videos featuring all your favorite new models!
SPECIFICATIONS: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
On Sale:
Now
Base MSRP:
$63,000
Price as Tested:
$67,793
Engine:
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Drivetrain (Layout):
Longitudinally-mounted front engine, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower:
296 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque:
295 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
Transmission:
Eight-speed automatic
0-60 Acceleration:
5.4 seconds
Top Speed:
155 MPH
Suspension:
Front: Aluminum double-wishbone w/ adaptive damping and stabilizer barRear: Aluminum double-wishbone w/ adaptive damping and stabilizer bar
Brakes:
Power-assisted four-wheel discs w/ ABS, EBD, and Emergency Brake Assist
UPDATED 1/17/18: Check out our first-look video of the 2019 Ford Edge ST: A faster way to get your groceries!
Ford unveils a first-ever 2019 Ford Edge ST performance crossover along with the refreshed 2019 Edge lineup just ahead of the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. What’s the big deal? You may not hear a lot of news about the Edge, Ford’s midsize crossover. You may surprised to hear that Ford sold 142,603 Edges in 2017 (a 6% increase over the previous year). Now, the crossover is thoroughly refreshed for the 2019 model year.
2019 Ford Edge ST
This is the first time that Ford’s “ST” performance designation has been bestowed upon a crossover. This performance variant has so far been reserved for the Focus ST and Fiest ST hot hatches. The Edge ST gets a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 with a rating of 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque (note: 93-octane fuel may be required for top rating). The new-found power goes to the AWD system via an 8-speed automatic transmission. You may recognize this EcoBoost V6 from the Ford Fusion Sport sedan, but the Edge ST gets a 10 hp boost over the Fusion. The power increase comes courtesy of engine software calibration.
Among other things, 2018 was a year that showed us performance crossovers are taking over tomorrow’s roads. [Photo: Ford]
The Edge ST is not just about big power numbers. Ford says the chassis, suspension, brakes, and the interior had to be modified to satisfy the high performance requirements to earn the ST badge. There is also a unique Sport mode that changes the character of the throttle, transmission, and the active engine sound enhancement system for more engine growl.
How does it drive? We will have to wait to find out. The 2019 Edge goes on sale in the Summer of 2018.
2019 Ford Edge
2019 Ford Edge
The regular edge comes equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic.
A whole suite of driver assistance and safety technologies are available as standard equipment: hill start assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keep alert/assist, automatic high beams, collision warning with brake support, pre-collision assist, and post-collision braking. Optional equipment includes: active park assist, evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-n-go, and lane centering.
FordPass connectivity provides a WiFi hotspot with ability to support up to 10 devices and up to 50 feet away from the vehicle. SYNC AppLink is available with Amazon Alexa integration. 12-speaker B&O Play premium audio system is also available.
Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for the latest videos on your favorite new models from this year’s North American International Auto Show!
What do you do when you get the sedan and coupe version of the same car in the hands of your professional racing driver? Compare them, obviously. Fortunately, we have had an opportunity to do just that with the 2018 Infiniti Q50 S Red Sport sedan and the 2018 Infiniti Q60 S Red Sport coupe. On paper, these two cars look identical, save for two fewer doors on the coupe. However, there are many factors that come in to play on the track. Tires and weight can make an especially huge difference when it comes to lap times. So, we gave them both to our racing driver Paul to see which one came out on top.
Infiniti Q50 S Red Sport Sedan
This car did anything but win Paul’s heart. Its new drive-by-wire steering system felt imprecise and sloppy on the track. Paul came away from the 1:07.67 lap time extremely disappointed. The car was always a step behind the driver, which is never a good thing. On an encouraging note, the twin-turbo V6, which makes 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, was able to scoot the sedan to 60 in 5.52 seconds at a mile above sea-level. Power is being sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately for the sedan, the “driver engagement” factor leaves a lot to be desired.
Infiniti Q60 S Red Sport Coupe
Infiniti equipped the Q60 S Red Sport coupe with the same engine as the sedan. However, the coupe we tested came with AWD. Thus, you would expect to see some additional weight. Interestingly, the weights of these two cars are nearly identical. 3,993 lbs for the sedan and 4,024 lbs for the coupe with AWD. Despite the slight increase in weight, the coupe’s AWD traction helps it lay down a significantly faster 0-60 time of 5.17 seconds.
Around the track, the coupe put on a better show as well. Paul noted a lack of understeer, which is rare on this track, plus the ability to hold steering input, despite the fly-by-wire system. All of this made for a very respectable 1:05.17 lap, which is significantly faster than the sedan. Unfortunately, this model came to us with all-season tires, limiting grip at the edge of performance. However, Paul reckons that this car would see a time in the 1:03 minute range if it had summer performance tires.
Be sure to watch the whole video to hear all of Paul’s commentary on these two cars! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube to watch all the latest Hot or Not videos, as well as news, views, and real-world reviews!
The regular 2018 Volkswagen Golf TSI, naturally, isn’t marketed as a performance model. Despite that, V-dub’s compact five-door handles the curves better than most. It also has enough zip under the hood to make your commute more engaging than the typical humdrum daily driver. Falling just short of the “hot hatch” designation, the intrepid Golf has a quality cabin that does not feel cheap and embodies the driving dynamics that inspire you to seek the long way home after a full day at work.
What’s New on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf TSI
For 2018, the standard Golf gets a refreshed front and rear treatment that include a new “visual signature” based on the front and rear LED lights. It also picks up a new, larger infotainment touchscreen. Volkswagen backs everything with a six-year/72,000 miles “bumper-to-bumper” limited warranty that’s sure to give some extra piece of mind.
Available in two trims – S and SE – the 2018 Golf keeps it simple. MSRP for the S trim, with a five-speed manual and 17-wheels, starts at $20,910. If you do not like rowing your own gears, the six-speed automatic is available for an additional $1,100. Standard equipment for the S is a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a rearview camera.
The SE model starts at $23,655 and comes with the nicer 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring (Front Assist), and blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert.
Interior
The interior of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf is basically unchanged, save the new 8-inch infotainment display. Overall, it is still a great cabin that insulates you from the rigors of the road. VW designed the Golf with a tidy environment and quality materials in mind. Perhaps it’s a bit too tidy, because we found only one USB port to charge and connect our devices.
On the plus side, there is an impressive amount of room for the driver and front passenger in every direction. Designed to adjust for short drivers and tall people alike, the driver’s seat and steering wheel with height and telescoping capabilities can accommodate a great range of sizes.
In the back seat, legroom might be a little tight for above-average-size adults when the front seats are pushed all the way back. These cars are typically bought by small families, however, and there is plenty of space in the rear seat for kids. The anchors are set up just right for easily latching your child seats as well. Rear cargo space, at 17.4 cubic feet, is smaller in comparison to similar hatchbacks. However, that cargo space extends to a generous 53.7 cubic feet after dropping the rear seats. Plus, there is a little extra storage room underneath the floor. When you drop the rear seats, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf offers volume on par with or slightly better than its rivals.
Comparing Cargo Space
SEATS UPRIGHT
SEATS FOLDED
2018 Chevy Cruze HB
27.2 ft3
47.2 ft3
2018 Ford Focus HB
23.8 ft3
44.8 ft3
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
24.9 ft3
55.1 ft3
2018 Kia Forte5
23.2 ft3
56.4 ft3
2018 Mazda3 5-door
20.2 ft3
47.1 ft3
2018 Subaru Impreza 5-door
20.8 ft3
55.3 ft3
2018 VW Golf
17.4 ft3
53.7 ft3
The Drive
Only one engine choice is available with the 2018 Volkswagen Golf — a 1.8-liter turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder. 170 horsepower transferred through a five-speed manual or 6-speed automatic to the front wheels is enough to make this little five-door a ton of fun to drive. Even moving from gear to gear is super easy due to the shifter action.
When launching from a stop, there is little hesitation before the boost hits. After the turbo spools up, you’ll be well on your way. As you pop from gear to gear, the low and mid-range power of the Golf’s turbo engine keeps you moving at a lively pace. Find a twisty back road and be rewarded with dexterity usually reserved for more expensive cars with a sharper, sporting edge.
For a car with humble pretenses, we imagine the 2018 Volkswagen Golf hides even more road-holding goodness within. You’ll just need to fit a stickier set of tires. The Golf’s MQB platform is just that good. That being said, the Golf offers a great balance of cornering capabilities and ride quality on its standard tires. True, some hotter hatchbacks like the Focus ST are set up for sharper handling prowess, but the Golf has a smoother ride and won’t beat up its passengers.
Thankfully, all this fun won’t cost you at the gas pump. Around town, EPA estimates are 25 MPG with the manual and 26 with the automatic. On the highway, the Golf should return 36 MPG. We observed 31 MPG average without any effort to be ultra-conservative.
TFLcar’s Take
While the standard Volkswagen Golf does not pack the power of a true hot hatch, it has an attractively low price, features excellent build quality, and gets better fuel economy. Moreover, the finely chiseled exterior coupled with a premium-feeling interior make it a pleasant daily driver. Even better, its well-balanced chassis makes it a worthwhile contender in the heavily contested 5-door compact car segment. The competition there is stiff, as the Golf’s up against the Mazda3, Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra GT, Kia Forte5, and Subaru Impreza. Let’s not forget though, the Golf has at least three decades of pedigree on those contenders.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2018 VW Golf TSI
Base MSRP:
$20,910
Price as Tested:
$21,760 (including $850 destination charge)
Engine:
1.8-liter, turbocharged inline-4
Drivetrain (Layout):
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4,500 RPM
Torque:
199 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
Transmission:
5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
Suspension:
Front: Strut-type w/lower control arms, coil springs, shocks, 22mm diameter anti-roll bar Rear: Multi-link w/coil springs, shocks, 19mm diameter anti-roll bar
Roman just bought one of the most hated modern Land Rovers to prove a point: Even this SUV doesn't suck! Or maybe it does...that's what we're going to find out in our latest project series.
