USA - The Golf family has been awarded inclusion on the Car and Driver magazines 10Best List.

The Golf, Golf Alltrack, GTI and Golf R land one of the most coveted automotive awards

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce today that Car and Driver magazine has named the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI and Golf R to its 2017 “10Best” list. Taking home an eleventh consecutive “10Best” award in a competition against 60 vehicles, the Golf models were praised for exceptional versatility, dynamics and value.

“There are currently five different versions of the Golf for sale in all 50 states, a sweeping armada of excellence that includes three gas engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and wagon or hatch­­­back body styles,” said Car and Driver. “Attitudes range from the save-some-fuel base Golf to the kill-some-apexes Golf R. 

Volkswagen manages to imbue every trim level with the same understated feel, regardless of specification or price. All Golfs drive with a solid composure and predictability, with controlled body motions and the ride quality of a far more expensive machine.”

“We are honored that Car and Driver has named the Volkswagen Golf models to its 2017 ‘10Best’ list,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Earning this award for the eleventh consecutive year validates the consistency of the Golf family in delivering unmatched quality and performance at a competitive price point.”

The Car and Driver annual “10Best” list features 10 of the magazine’s most favored new vehicles. Cars are judged on value, performance and the ability to satisfy the comprehensive driving needs of the consumer.  

All production vehicles for sale in the current calendar year are considered, with the following restrictions: the vehicle must be on sale by January; it must be priced below 2.5 times the average car price for that year; the manufacturer must provide a vehicle for testing; and only substantially changed vehicles and the past year’s “10Best” winners are nominated.

With a starting price of $19,895 for the Golf S model, the 2017 Golf family offers advances in interior refinement, exterior styling, and a wealth of new equipment at even the lowest trim lines.

The Golf Alltrack joins the Golf family for 2017 with a starting price of $25,850. Building on the popular Golf SportWagen, Alltrack offers a raised ground clearance, standard 4Motion all-wheel drive and rugged exterior styling.

Starting at $25,595 for the S model, the 2017 Golf GTI features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (achieved with premium fuel). For 2017, Sport models and above add the Performance Package as standard equipment—raising horsepower to 220.

Golf R is the most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market, with a starting price of $35,655. The R model is fuel-efficient for a car with 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, posting an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission.

The Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI and Golf R will be featured in Car and Driver’s January 2017 “10Best” issue.