Upping the Ante at the Econo-Box Poker Table

In an effort to regain its reputation for frugality, Volkswagen Canada chose to retain its older generation Golf and Jetta models as affordable entry-level econo-boxes within its lineup of more sophisticated vehicles. Doing so enables the "peoples car" company to compete in this burgeoning, profitable segment of the auto industry.

The City is a Canadian exclusivity.

Frugality Reprise
$15,300. That's all it takes to own a four-door 2008 City Golf with a height adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering. Sure, adding air conditioning, cruise control and power windows will dull some of the base-price luster but audiophiles will appreciate the eight-speaker, MP3-readable audio system provided as standard equipment.

My nicely packaged tester tallied $18,624, and included all the above-noted accessories plus 15-inch alloy wheels, power locks, heated power exterior mirrors, keyless entry, centre-armrest and side curtain protection. A six-speed automatic transmission featuring Volkswagen's Tiptronic manual-mode technology will add $1,400 to the above-mentioned pricing. This week's ride housed a five-speed manual stick, which I was happy to find.

What's old is new again
The City Golf is a German-engineered built in Brazil front-wheel-drive, five-passenger hatchback. Despite its new sheet metal and redesigned interior, it clearly exhibits its older (1999-2006) Golf DNA, but that's not a bad thing. The City Golf retains the original Golf's balanced proportioning and clean lines along with its broad slabs of glass while looking fresher and more up to date thanks to a sleeker nose softer angles.

The City Golf delivers interior quality consistent with vehicles costing substantially more. Cabin construction is solid and accurate while materials in use are easy on the eye and pleasing to touch. Long stretches of hard plastic, typical of this segment, are non-existent.

Fit and finish is above average and materials are quite nice.

Although the City Golf's interior exceeds expected quality standards, several glitches detract from its overall excellence. For example, folding the 60/40-split rear seat flat requires the removal of three rear seat head restraints and the forward positioning of both front seats. That's an annoying hassle, as is the recline mechanism employed by the front seats. The circular dials in use must be repeatedly rotated to inch the seatback up or down. I thought such mechanisms long ago went the way of the 8-Track.

The dials used to incline the front seat backs is a pain to work with.

Despite several minor cabin shortcomings, I was pleased with the layout of the vehicle's instrument panel and its simplistic functionality. Switches and instruments are easy to use/read and are sensibly located.

What keeps the City Golf going?
Volkswagen has retained its 115 horsepower, SOHC 2.0 litre fourbanger from 2006. This engine produces very good low-end torque (122 pound-feet @ 2,600 rpm) and never has to struggle to keep up with traffic. Still it's no powerhouse, delivering tepid highway passing performance at best.

Perhaps its two-valve per cylinder configuration limits its ability to breathe freely at higher rpm levels. Judging by Volkswagen's data, the extra cog in the optional six-speed autobox isn't likely to improve passing lane performance. VW cites 0-100km/h time of 10.4 seconds for the manual City Golf and 11.7 seconds for the automatic version.

The passing lane also verifies that this isn't the most polished or refined four-cylinder powerplant on the market today. It makes its presence audibly known when asked to dish-out grunt; yet the accompanying note is fairly sporty sounding. Such that my milder-driving half asked, "is this car powerful or are you lead-footing it?" "Lead-footing it," I trumpeted back while tossing the stick from one gear to the next.

City Golf ride and handling
The combination of the 'little mill that barely could' and my tester's light-effort short-throw stickshift added a genuine dose of fun to the City Golf's otherwise restrained demeanor. Nicely weighted rack-and-pinion power steering and responsive, four-wheel antilock disc brakes contribute to the City Golf's spirited vibes.

The Canada-only City Golf rides on a fully independent suspension arrangement utilizing gas shocks at all four compass points and stabilizer bars fore and aft. The setup nicely ally's the opposing dynamics of ride and handling to infuse the roomy compact with athletic yet benevolent road manners.

The City Golf received front and rear aesthetic updates for 2008.

Golfing safely
The basic City Golf provides "basic" occupant protection as standard equipment, that being front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger. Side airbags will add $160 to the sticker while side curtain protection will add another $410; money well spent in my view, as is the extra $450 VW will ding buyers for an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), which I recommend for Canadian usage.

Enginewise, the competition is way ahead.

City Golf antes-up with value
The City Golf may not benefit from the latest engine technology or the most inspirational styling. Nevertheless, it's surprisingly satisfying. For well under $20K, buyers net themselves a well stocked, enviable cabin and a European driving experience along with reasonably decent fuel economy of 9.8 and 7.0L/100km of city and highway driving respectively.

Overall, the fun little City Golf raises the stakes significantly at the econo-box poker table.


Low $15,300 entry
High quality cabin materials
Fun to drive


Awkward fold down of split bench rear seat
Even more awkward front seat recline mechanism
Tepid passing performance at best



2-valve per cylinder SOHC engine