What a difference an engine makes. But in the case of the VW Golf GLS 1.8T, the difference is dramatic. Drop the automatic gearbox from the option sheet and the price gets even cheaper. But first let's talk about the fun stuff.
Most engines have a torque peak at a specific engine speed.
From 1,750 all the way up to 4,200 rpm you've got 155 foot-pounds at your disposal making for possibly one of the flattest torque curves of any car on the road. Mated to what some members of our staff felt was a somewhat slushy four-speed automatic transaxle, the Golf's mighty little turbo motor was still an unexpected thrill to squirt through traffic on the slog back and forth to work. Sure the auto trans and the extra weight of the five-door layout sapped some acceleration, but this car still has plenty of pop. In fact I would say the automatic is almost an advantage here. Aside from the engine, the car is much like the '99 we tested.