Golf Wagon should win Car of the Year

Jim Kenzie

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

BEST: VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF WAGON TDI

Probably a surprise, because usually I – well, all of us – pick some high-priced exotic or a race car. But for me the best overall car I drove this year was the 2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI.

Hey, "best" can include "practical," can't it? Especially in these tough economic times?

I have no idea why they changed the name from Jetta, but that's Volkswagen marketing for you.

Regular readers know I own a 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI. Not that this makes me prejudiced in any way.

I might cop to "predisposed" because the 2010 is everything my car is, and (mostly) more.

The new diesel engine is three full generations newer and better than mine – faster, much quieter and gets even better fuel economy. Tonnes of room, great handling, good ride, comfy seats.

I don't think the interior finish is as good on the 2010 as on my 2003. And Lady Leadfoot hates the way it looks.

But the new one is quite a bit less expensive, never mind inflation.

It isn't going to win Car of the Year.

But it should.

Worst: Toyota Prius

I knew what the verdict on this one would be pretty much from the instant I first got into it.

The tinny "clang" of the door closing told me right away that Toyota had taken a lot of cost out of the third-generation Prius.

But the automaker hadn't taken out any price – the one I drove at the AJAC TestFest had a sticker upwards of $37,000.

Yikes.

I guess if you want your economy, you'll just have to pay for it.

The main instrument cluster is no longer that cool multi-colour screen but a drab monochromatic deal that largely goes away when you're wearing polarized sunglasses. And who doesn't?

You can't see out of this thing, especially to the rear and rear three-quarters, no matter how you adjust the side-view mirrors.

Lousy steering, lousy ride, lousy handling.

It simply isn't worth the pain of getting excellent fuel economy.

I've said it before and I like it so I'll say it again: If you want to buy a compact Toyota sedan and do the environment a favour, buy a Corolla and put six grand worth of insulation in your attic.

That, my friends, would be win-win-win.

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