USA - VW announces that it has earned its place in the Car and Driver 10Best list.

This marks the ninth consecutive year that vehicles from the Golf lineup have earned a prestigious “10Best” award

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce today that Car and Driver magazine has named the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI to its 2015 “10Best” list. Taking home a ninth consecutive “10Best” award in a competition against 60 vehicles, the Golf and Golf GTI were praised for exceptional versatility, dynamics and value. 

“The Volkswagen Golf is the Swiss Army knife of enthusiast transport. 

No matter your preferences in price, practicality, and performance, there’s a Golf that will take your money without giving up much in any other direction,” said Car and Driver. “The gasoline TSI® models perhaps represent the paring knife. The practical diesel TDI® models represent the screwdriver. And that spear-like awl is the sharp-edged GTI.”

“We are honored that Car and Driver has named the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI to its 2015 ‘10Best’ list,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Earning this award for the ninth consecutive year validates the Golf and the Golf GTI models’ consistency 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.

The seventh-generation version of Volkswagen’s best-selling model is bigger, lighter, more fuel-efficient, and even more versatile than its predecessor. The all-new model features a host of newly-available driver assistance features and excellent EPA estimated highway fuel economy. 

Based on the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture, the 2015 Golf lineup includes the fun-to-drive Golf 1.8T, fuel-efficient Golf TDI Clean Diesel, and sporty Golf GTI.

With a starting price of $17,995 for the 2-door Golf S model, the 2015 Golf family offers advances in interior refinement, exterior styling, and a wealth of new equipment at even the lowest trim lines.

Starting at $24,395 for the S model, the 2015 Golf GTI features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is 10 hp and 51 lb-ft higher than in the previous generation.

The Golf and GTI will be featured in Car and Driver’s January 2015 “10Best” issue.