Volkswagen Golf Named 2015 Car of the Year

Volkswagen devotees rejoice! The 2015 Golf family has been named the Motor Trend Car of the Year. Always sporty and fun, the seventh generation of Golf's best-selling model is well-represented by four powertrain derivatives that are bigger, lighter, more fuel efficient and more versatile than previous models. Representing the lineup are the Golf 1.8T, the Golf TDI Clean Diesel, the Golf GTI and the e-Golf.


"VW floor our judges by reimaging the seventh generation Golf for nearly every need and want," said Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh. "From the value-laden Golf 1.8T and the high-MPG Golf TDI to the legendary hot hatch GTI and the all electric e-Golf, there is truly a Golf for everyone."




Finalists are evaluated on six key criteria:

• Design Advancement – well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; good selection and use of materials.
• Engineering Excellence – total vehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective tech that benefits the consumer.
• Efficiency—low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive set.
• Safety—a vehicle's ability to help the driver avoid a crash, as well as the secondary safety measures that protect its occupants from harm during a crash.
• Value—competitive price and equipment levels, measured against those of vehicles in the same market segment.
• Performance of Intended Function—how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended it to do.

Read the original Volkswagen press release here.