Volkswagen Golf Named Motor Trend Car of the Year

Other finalist vehicles bested by the Golf include the 2015 Ford Mustang, BMW 2 Series, Honda Fit, Hyundai Genesis, Kia Sedona, Lexus RC, Maserati Ghibli and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

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

As it did with its SUV of the Year contest last month, which was taken by the 2015 Honda CR-V, Motor Trend rated a total of 23 vehicles in six categories, ranging from how they look, to how efficient they are to their overall value. That was pared down to ten finalists before the Golf was declared the winner.