Urban. Legend.

For drivers who are on the search for vehicles that deliver the functionality and versatility of a crossover and the determined, adrenaline-inducing spirit of a sports car, a hatchback isn’t generally on the top of everyone’s collective minds. However, through the years there has been one model that has been able to stop these misconceptions and turn the concept of a “hot hatch” from fantasy to reality. Starting from relatively humble beginnings, the Volkswagen Golf has grown to become a major force on the automotive market, coming standard for 2017 with a 170-horsepower engine and up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Since it was first released in 1974, the Golf hatchback has set standards for efficiency, technological advancement and safety that few in the industry can match, let alone surpass. The Golf is able to achieve up to 36 highway miles per gallon, offer an extensive list of technology and connectivity features, and is able to keep you safe and secure behind the wheel no matter what conditions are thrown your way. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has designated the 2017 Golf as a Top Safety Pick. Still continuing to defy trends and conventional thinking over 40 years later, the Volkswagen Golf line proves that fun and functionality can go hand in hand.