Mont-Tremblant, Quebec — Driving the all-new Volkswagen Golf is like welcoming back an old friend. There’s a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, sweet and sour that captures the imagination and turns a trivial meeting into a memorable discovery. Journalists got a taste of the car during a media launch held by Volkswagen Canada in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

While the 2010 VW Golf boasts fresh new lines, it retains the core values and attributes that have made it so popular thus far.

This famous compact hatchback (whether bearing the name Golf or Rabbit) has been part of our automotive landscape for nearly 35 years. Much like the original Beetle or Toyota’s Corolla, it’s now a benchmark in personal transportation for many drivers around the world. In fact, over 26 million units have found takers since the model’s inception.

While the 2010 VW Golf boasts fresh new lines, it retains the core values and attributes that have made it so popular thus far, namely a versatile, ergonomic interior and pleasant driving dynamics.

The next-generation Golf also offers two options that you won’t find in such rivals as the Mazda3 Sport, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Toyota Matrix and Dodge Caliber: a genuine wagon variant and a diesel engine.

Interesting tweaks and twists
The new face of the Golf sports redesigned headlight clusters as well as subtle chrome accents on some models. The body sides are now marked by a strong character line that stretches from the front fenders all the way to the taillights.

The car also features "inverted" door handles like the ones found on the Passat CC. Plus, according to my colleague Mathieu St-Pierre, the wider taillights make this Golf look like a baby Touareg from the back!

Despite the new attire, little has changed from the Golf V (a.k.a. Rabbit in North America) in terms of architecture. The wheelbase is identical and most other dimensions are only marginally larger. That’s great news because the previous generation excelled on the road thanks to a taut, solid chassis.

Five different models make up the portfolio, including the 3-door Golf Trendline and Sportline and the 5-door Golf Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

The new face of the Golf sports redesigned headlight clusters as well as subtle chrome accents on some models.

A familiar cabin
The interior layout will make previous VW owners feel right at home. The typical all-black dashboard puts the majority of controls at the same exact locations. Granted, styling is more refined and up to date. Edgar Oliver, Product Strategist at Volkswagen Canada, puts it like this: "interior design that gives a premium impression -- without the premium."

The interior layout will make previous VW owners feel right at home.

For the first time in Canada, the Golf receives leather seats (exclusive to the 5-door Highline model). Meanwhile, the 3-door Sportline model gets a firmer suspension and unique 17-inch wheels, making it a cheaper alternative to the powerful GTI.

The company says that the 2010 Volkswagen Golf is quieter inside thanks to the use of thicker side glass, more aerodynamic outside mirrors and a more silent-running climate control system. "You’ll probably not even notice that it’s on!," claims Mr. Oliver.

Available in seven exterior colors, the new Golf starts at $20,175 -- $200 above the price of a comparable 2009 Rabbit.

At last, a TDI!
The 2.5-litre, inline 5-cylinder gasoline engine again comes standard along with a 5-speed manual transmission or, optionally, a 6-speed Tiptronic autobox.

However, the big news for the 2010 model year is obviously the return of diesel, more precisely a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine (same as the Jetta’s) that produces 140 horsepower and torque to spare. In this case, power is sent to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox or the automaker’s fantastic 6-speed DSG.

This powertrain is exclusive to 5-door models, though. "The previous 5-door TDI model met about 80 percent of the demand," pointed out John White, President and CEO of Volkswagen Canada. "For the 2010 Golf TDI, we saw fit to channel our efforts around this variant only."

Of course, TDI buyers prefer richly-equipped models, according to Edgar Oliver, who adds: "These customers want more features in their car, possibly because they travel over longer distances and plan to keep it for a longer period of time."

The new Golf can be equipped with a new turbodiesel TDI "clean" engine.

A wagon, too!
Since 2006, Volkswagen has been offering a compact wagon in Canada. First it was part of the Jetta family and now the Golf’s. Yet, the Golf Wagon has been sold across Europe since 1993! Anyway, it’s an interesting solution for those who despise larger, thirstier family vehicles like SUVs.

Just like the 5-door model, the wagon is available in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

At the same time, VW says that it’s the "largest Golf ever" and one "with no direct rivals." I bet the folks at Hyundai think otherwise; the Elantra Touring offers basically the same amount of cargo room (42 litres) with the rear seats folded.

Just like the 5-door model, the wagon is available in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The latter also offers premium features like leather seats and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The powertrains are the same but wheel size is limited to 16 inches, whereas those of the hatchback range from 15 to 17 inches. Finally, the 2010 Golf Wagon Trendline’s base MSRP is $800 below the 2009 Jetta Wagon.

About technology...
During the media launch, VW representatives bragged about a number of interesting upgrades, most notably the touch-screen stereo. Similar to the Dynaudio unit in the GTI, this sound system is a welcome addition. Too bad it doesn’t come with satellite navigation.

Two years ago, offering a GPS with compact cars would have created little interest among buyers, which is why it remained exclusive to the GTI. However, times are changing fast and when these same buyers find out that a Mazda3 or even the plebian Toyota Yaris are now available with one, they will surely ask for it too. "If the demand is strong enough, we’ll try to add a navigation system for the 2011 model year," promises Mr. Oliver.

As for those who would like to drive a Golf Wagon TDI with 4Motion all-wheel drive (I do!), well, keep dreaming. The people at VW Canada see no reason to offer such a vehicle. There’s already one in the lineup… and it’s called Tiguan!

During the media launch, VW representatives bragged about a number of interesting upgrades, most notably the touch-screen stereo.