Virtually unchanged for the 2012 model year, the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf (last revamped in 2010) remains one of the best performing small hatchback cars on the market. However, when compared to competitors such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Scion iQ and Chevrolet Volt, the Golf’s pricing structure, along with gas mileage ratings of 23 mpg city/33 highway (with a 6-speed manual transmission), could cause some buyers to look elsewhere.

There are a number of trim combinations available for the 5-passenger 2012 Volkswagen Golf – all available as either 2-door or 4-door versions, and most available with a manual or 6-speed automatic transmission (with Tiptronic and Sport mode). They include the Base, Base w/Conv, Base w/ Conv and Sunroof, PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle), PZEV w/Conv, and PZEV w/ Conv and Sunroof. All trims are front-wheel drive and are available with either a 2.5-liter, 20-valve, DOHC 5-cylinder gasoline engine (rated at 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque) or a 2.0-liter, 16-valve TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) Clean Diesel engine (rated at 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque). Trims equipped with a gas engine with automatic transmission achieve 24 mpg city/31 highway, while TDI trims reach 30/42.

Breaking down the trims, the Base trim comes standard with air conditioning, cruise control, power windows with auto up/down, power locks, power side mirrors, 8-way manually adjustable front seats with lumbar support, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, antitheft alarm (with immobilizer theft-deterrent system), cloth interior, split-folding rear seat with armrest and pass-through, AM/FM radio with single-CD player (with 8 speakers and an auxiliary jack for portable audio players), rear-window wiper, dual polished exhaust tips and 15-inch steel wheels. The Conv trims adds Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, heated front seats (with power recline for the driver’s seat) and a front center armrest as standard equipment, while the Conv and Sunroof trims add Premium VIII touchscreen radio with navigation (along with a 3-month trial subscription to Sirius XM satellite radio) and a Mobile Device Interface (MDI) with an iPod cable in addition to the sunroof. A similar progression of standard equipment can be found for the diesel trims as well, along with 10-spoke 17-inch Salamanca aluminum alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. For TDI trims with the Tech Package, standard equipment also includes bi-xenon high-intensity headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), keyless entry (with push-button start) and a Dynaudio premium sound system.

As for safety features, standard equipment for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf includes dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact and side curtain airbags, 4-wheel disc antilock brakes, engine braking assist, hydraulic braking assist, daytime running lights, a tire pressure monitoring system and a traction control and electronic stability system.

All trims come standard with a Titan Black cloth interior. As for exterior colors, the choices for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf are Black, Blue Graphite Metallic, Candy White, United Gray Metallic, Tornado Red, Shark Blue Metallic and Reflex Silver Metallic. All trims come with Volkwagen’s 5-year/50,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 3-year/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 12-year/unlimited mileage limited warranty against corrosion, as well as a 3-year/36,000-mile no-charge carefree maintenance program and roadside assistance program.

Handling-wise, current owners like the power the 2012 Volkswagen Golf produces when you step on the gas, stating that it feels and handles like a larger vehicle with good acceleration and great torque. Another positive mentioned by a few owners is how quick and responsive the steering is, with above-average cornering ability even in the Base trim.

With its well-appointed, comfortable and roomy cabin (93 cubic feet of passenger space) – along with ample cargo space (15 cubic feet up to a maximum of 46 cubic feet with the back seats down) – the 2012 Volkswagen Golf has a luxuriousness that none of its competitors can match. The power delivered by both the gas and diesel engines is equal to that of its competition, if not slightly better. As long as gas mileage is not your main reason for choosing a compact hatchback, the Golf makes a solid choice for a daily driver, and if gas mileage is a concern, a TDI trim could be worth a look.