It's the high roofline and the hatchback design that allows a subcompact size to swallow up four adults and luggage. No small sedan is going to touch it in hauling capacity. And the hatch style takes on even greater load carrying dimensions with the 60-40 split back seats folded down and out of the way. But if a compromise can be reached, comfort can be attained in the second row. And for 19 grand you have a pleasant commuter during the week and a back road burner for the weekends.
Acceleration is smooth and brisk.
Slam it into second or third on a downshift, smash the accelerator and the little Golf has a slingshot affect. The turbo kick-in will throw you back into your seat. One of the reasons it can achieve 0 to 60 in under 8 seconds is that 60 miles per hour can be reached in second gear just this side of redline. The manual transmission has short throws and the shifter fits nicely to hand. Reverse gear is a nice setup, engaged by pushing down on the gearshift and then pushing it to the left.