Golf has done it again. The current (seventh) generation of the Volkswagen Golf has been named the winner of Car of the Year award for 2013, and both drivers and the auto industry are singing its praises.
History of The Car of the Year Award
The Car of the Year is an international annual award with no direct ties to any one auto company. Contenders are judged by a prestigious panel of senior motor journalists and professional car testers from all around Europe. The aim of the award is to acknowledge and celebrate the most outstanding new cars to go on the market for the most recent calendar year.
This year there were 58 voting members on the panel from 22 different countries. The Car of the Year committee is a nonprofit organization that is independent of the auto industry. There is no payment for being on the jury. Organizing expenses for the contest come from seven publications that promote the award and also serve to organize and rotate voting members.
Repeat Victory
The VW Golf won a comprehensive victory this year with 414 points, well ahead of its closest competitors the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BR-Z. This is the first time the VW Golf has won the award since the third generation model won in 1992. It is one of only two cars to have won the Car of the Year award more than once in its history. The other is the Renault Clio.
Every generation of the VW Golf has placed in the top three for the last 38 years. The very first model of the Golf won second place in 1975. This year, the Golf wowed the jury with its overall balance and outstanding offerings in the areas of safety, comfort, dynamics and fuel efficiency.
The new Golf has retained its beloved image, but is entirely new on the inside. The latest model features a new lightweight structure with the flexible VW MQB platform used in passenger vehicles with transversal powertrains. The newest Golf has an attractive cabin, classic style and analog instrumentation.
It features a very roomy interior and is made from quality materials that look and feel great. It’s no wonder why dealerships across the globe are stocking up on this high quality vehicle.
Photo of 2013 Volkswagen Golf at Chapman Phoenix VW. Used with permission.
All This — and Safety, Too
Besides looking and feeling great cosmetically, the new Golf also features an impressive array of active safety features. These include active braking, lane-keeping assistance, driver fatigue detection and adaptive cruise control. The handling and overall comfort of the Golf make for a pleasant ride for anyone behind the wheel.
Initially released as a three- or five-door hatchback, the Golf will soon have a third body style: the Variant. Other engines will become available including the 230 hp GTI and a 184 hp GTD diesel model. All engines will be fitted with stop-start systems, with the 1.4 TSI offered with VW’s ACT deactivation system.
This system will turn off two of the cylinders at low speeds to help with better fuel economy. Many in the auto industry feel that this is the very best Golf yet, and the Car of the Year Award committee seems to concur.
If you’re looking for the total package in style, innovation, safety and fuel efficiency, the latest VW Golf just might be for you. Test drive one at your favorite dealership today and decide for yourself.
