Thirty-seven years later, the sixth edition in 2010 continues the car’s legacy without missing an RPM. Through 2007, more than 25 million of the cars had been built. According to the manufacturer, it’s the best-selling Volkswagen in history and the third best-selling vehicle of all-time.
The sixth generation Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit model features a more spacious interior and slight changes to the grille, headlights and air intake. It’s also now called the Golf again after four years as the Rabbit. Golf is the more global name for the car.
Beyond the name switch and design changes, the Golf remains an easy-to-like, sturdy and handsome hatchback — inside and out.
Equipped with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower, inline 5-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission, it has a duel personality. It scoots around town like a high-performance sports car with a tight shift box, and powers quietly along the freeway like a refined sedan.
The Golf’s versatile driving attributes are complemented by its strong interior qualities. Seats are cloth, but well constructed and plush. The cabin’s metallic trim is handsome or as Edmunds.com noted, “Tastefully employed.”
There’s no “wow” factor, but considering the price point, VW couldn’t have done any better.
My weekly driver test vehicle had a long list of standard features, more than expected for a car with a suggested retail price under $18,000. The only three optional features adding to the total were the power sunroof ($1,000), the cold weather package (heated seats/washer nozzles) at $225 and Bluetooth connectivity ($199). With the standard destination charge of $750, the 2010 Golf still prices out at less than $20,000.
Oh, I almost forgot: The hatchback opens by lifting the round VW circle insignia. It’s cool.
Facts & Figures: 2010 Volkswagen Golf
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5-cylinder, 2.5L |
| Horsepower | 170 |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city / 30 hwy / 26 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Airbags | Dual front, side and side curtain (standard) |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion: 12 years/unlimited miles; Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price | $17,490.00 |
| Price As tested | $19,664.00 |
| Web site | www.vw.com |
Article Last Updated: March 31, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.