Vehicle: 2009 VW City Golf with 6-speed Tiptronic, air conditioning, comfort pkg and side curtain protection pkg
Price as tested: CDN$20995
There are only 2 cars on the market that have lifespin last as long as a decade. First off, Saab 9-5, which have already gone through the third facelift, albeit a very bad one, since its inception in 98. Another car which should go into this list of evergreen but desperately needs to be replace list has to be Canadian-only VW City Series. Thankfully, VW Canada decided 2009 is the final year for both City Golf and City Jetta.
We have a final chance to get behind the wheel of a City Golf before its going to be replace by the upcoming subcompact Polo, in about 2 years. When Mk4 chassis first came out, we were impressed with its overall combination of Teutonic styling with beautiful interior at a reasonable price back in 99. In fact, we were so impressed. We got one as our own. 
Our City Golf is powered by VW’s evergreen if seriously aged 2.0 8-valve 4-cylinder with 115hp. While this engine has a rather flat torque curve, which means enough torque for most daily driving. Its 122 lb/ft of torque works surprisingly well with Tiptronic. That means this ancient engine can always work in its sweet spot, which is somewhere below 4 grand. After 4000rpm, this aged motor would become loud and coarse when pushed. Its a decent appliance engine for most daily purpose. But when you consider its 20k price tag, there are many better powetrains in its similar price class, namely Honda Fit’s impressive 1.5 liter i-VTEC. Especially when you consider our test drive through the whole test average 9 liters per 100km, which is unacceptable in this day and age.
When it comes to chassis rigidty, this platform continues to be impressed. The steering is light and precise, with plenty of feedback and responsiveness. It rides impressively on all the rough pavements and patholes even with its basic suspension setting. We must give credit when credit is due. City Series has a far more luxurious ride quality than all of its equivalently priced competitions.
Speaking of luxurious, the use of interior materials and fit-and-finish are unparalleled anywhere in its price class. Just a decade ago, this interior was used as a benchmark for any family car. It aged gracefully thanks to a great design with top-notch materials. The cloth seats are both comfortable and supportive.
There are still plenty to like in City Golf’s cargo space. With fold-down rear seats and a low lifting area, we are able to put as much as possible. The only thing a decade-old design lacks is Fit’s complete flat floor when the seats folded down.
The City Series represents a gap that VW desperately needs to fill in the entry-level segment. While having a rebadged previous model works well, in the short-term. It needs a proper subcompact in the long haul, that’s very important when Honda nearly owns the market with the Fit. While Toyota has a Yaris and Nissan has a Versa, even Ford is coming out with an impressive Fiesta. The new Polo better be coming sooner rather than latter.