With the 2.5L version of the Volkswagen Golf Hatchback being the lowest level version there are still a surprisingly large number of features that come as standard equipment starting from heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry, manually adjustable driver's seat, durable fabric upholstery, front tilting and telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, air-conditioning, trip computer, CD player, eight speaker sound system with auxiliary audio jack and fifteen inch steel wheels with 195/65R H all weather tires. There are a couple of upgrade packages for the 2.5L version that can bring in heated front seats, center armrest for the front seats, sunroof, satellite and audio interface that can be touch screen operated.
The Golf TDI comes with all of the above, as well as sport tuned suspension, lowered ride height, bi-xenon headlights, Dynaudio sound system and seventeen inch alloy wheels with 225/45R H all season tires.
Top of the range Volkswagen GTI has been given some very special treatment with features that compare favorably with much higher levels, with standard equipment taking in either sporty looking tartan upholstery or a choice of leather with heated sport front seats, Bluetooth accessible touchscreen controls, iPod interface and an eight-speaker audio system. Options include a premium audio system, navigation system and eighteen inch wheels.
Safety equipment for all Golf models includes dual front airbags, side-curtain airbags, and front seat belt pre-tensioners, anti lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESP) and traction control.
Fuel consumption for the Volkswagen Golf 2.5L five cylinder 2.5 liter automatic, according to the US EPA s, averages out at 27 miles per gallon, with 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the open road with the manual gearbox providing a slightly more encouraging average at 28.5 miles per gallon, with 26 miles per gallon in the city and 31miles per gallon on the open road being reported in most reviews.
The Golf TDI 2.0-liter four cylinder turbo-diesel engines provides a combined average of 22 miles per gallon with 19 in the city and 27 on the highway, while the GTI 4 cylinder two liter manual delivers a combined 27 miles per gallon with 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon out of town. The manual gear boxed version fares less well with combined 25 miles per gallon with 21 miles per gallon in town and 31 miles per gallon out of it.
The Volkswagen Golf Coupe Hatchback is competing in one of the tightest niches in the mid compact hatchback field with competition coming from such tough street fighters as the Nissan Qashqai Crossover , Ford Fiesta Hatchback , Vauxhall Astra Hatchback , Ford Focus Hatchback, Skoda Octavia Hatchback Subaru Impreza, Toyota Matrix, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Honda Civic and the Kia Forte.