Overview

The Volkswagen Golf has long been a top seller in Europe, but it has been in and out of the American market for decades, known alternately as the Golf or the Rabbit. It's now in its sixth generation, and is available as a 3- or 5-door hatchback with either a gasoline or a diesel engine. The diesel version is called the Golf TDI.

Both the 3- and 5-door versions of the Golf are offered in the 2.5L (gasoline engine) or the TDI trims. Standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, heated front seats and mirrors, power accessories, and a sound system. The Golf TDI models add alloy wheels, a sportier suspension, upgraded sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity. Options include a navigation system and xenon headlights. The Golf features 15 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, according to Volkswagen.

The 2011 Volkswagen Golf's standard power plant is a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that delivers 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission or 23/30 with the optional 6-speed automatic, according to the EPA. The Golf TDI trims employ a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine (legal in all 50 states) that produces 236 lb.-ft. of torque and delivers 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. It offers a choice of a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 6-speed automated manual transmission.

Standard safety features on the 2011 Volkswagen Golf include 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Golf highest-possible "Good" ratings in frontal-offset, and rear- and side-impact crash tests.

Starting MSRP for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf is $17,995.