BRAINTREE, MASS. (12/23/2011)(readMedia)– Car and Driver magazine only picks the cream of the crop for its annual 10Best Cars list, pouring through dozens of nominees to identify the best cars on the market under $80,000. The publication’s 2012 10Best Cars list features two models currently available at Volkswagen dealerships, with the 2012 Golf and its sporty GTI variant sharing one sought-after spot.
More than 60 cars met Car and Driver’s eligibility criteria, which, with a few exceptions, required that the vehicle be all new or significantly updated for the 2012 model year. The 10Best winners from last year and those cars that weren’t yet available for the 2011 competition were also invited to join in. Amongst competition that often featured much higher price tags, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf and GTI proved to Car and Driver that affordable cars don’t have to be boring, winning praise for their high-quality interiors and driving dynamics.
“The Golf and GTI have always punched well above their weight when it comes to performance per dollar,” said Jason Thompson, general manager of Quirk Volkswagen, a Braintree, Massachusetts Volkswagen dealership. “Car and Driver sought out the best cars on the market for their 10Best Cars list, and they found that the Golf and GTI were just what they were looking for.”
A key attribute of the Golf platform is the lineup’s flexibility. The VW is available with two or four doors that combine with a rear hatch to give the car some serious cargo-carrying abilities. With the back seats up, the Golf can comfortably fit five and still has 15 cubic-feet of cargo space, but that number more than triples with the 60/40-split rear seats folded flat. The 46 cubic-feet of space behind the front seats provide ample room for snowboards, beach gear or road trip supplies.
Though the Volkswagen Golf comes with a relatively low price tag, there is no evidence of penny-pinching in the interior material choices. VW put a priority on fit and finish, as high-quality plastics and well-upholstered black-fabric seating give the Golf an upscale feel. Available features like a touchscreen-controlled eight-speaker audio system and Bluetooth hands-free calling add to the up-market ambiance.
The VW Golf is available with two engines, a 2.5-liter five cylinder that returns up to 33 mpg on the highway and a 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel unit capable of 236 pound-feet of torque and 42 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the GTI maintains all the flexibility of the Golf, but gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine producing 200 horsepower, a sport-oriented suspension and uprated brakes.
“Volkswagen’s Golf has always been a vehicle that appeals to a broad range of drivers,” Thompson noted. “Families love it for its space and reliability, while eco-minded drivers like the Golf for its available TDI engine. GTI drivers, on the other hand, want a car they can hit the track with that still has room for a week’s groceries. There aren’t many cars that offer all those things, and certainly not at the price point of the GTI.”
About Quirk Volkswagen:
Quirk Volkswagen is the premier Greater Boston Volkswagen dealer. Boston VW customers choose Quirk for great service and pricing on new and used VW cars. A dedicated and knowledgeable staff is on hand to show you their extensive selection, with Volkswagen models ranging from the Jetta to the Touareg. You can preview their inventory online at www.quirkvwboston.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkVolkswagenMA, reach them by phone at 877-624-0143 or visit their dealership showroom at 20 Granite Street in Braintree, Massachusetts.
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