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-door or 5-door hatchback with either a gasoline or a diesel engine. The diesel version is called the Golf TDI.

Both the 3-door and 5-door versions of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf with the gasoline engine are offered in a single trim level with options. Standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels,air conditioning,cruise control,heated front seats and mirrors,power accessories,and a sound system. The diesel-powered 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 VW.

The 2010 Volkswagen Golf?s standard power plant is a 175-horsepower,2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that delivers 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission,according to the EPA. Optional is a 6-speed direct-shift gearbox (or ?DSG,? an automated manual setup). The Golf TDI trims employ a 140-horsepower,2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine (legal in all 50 states) that produces 236 lb.-ft. of torque and delivers 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. It offers a choice of a traditional 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed DSG.

Standard safety features on the 2010 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 the highest-possible ?Good? ratings in frontal-offset and rear- and side-impact crash tests.

Starting MSRP for the 2010 Volkswagen Golf was $17,620.