Regular readers of this column might recall that the Golf isn’t the first Volkswagen TDI we’ve reviewed this year. Past columns critiquing the VW Passat and Jetta turbodiesels approvingly noted the cars’ performance and fuel economy while using them as a basis for snide remarks about the part played by diesels in 1970s pop culture. For the benefit of less constant (or newly arrived) readers, we’ve assembled this handy summation of our conclusions: First, that diesel engines constitute an old technology recently revived in the interest of energy conservation. Second, that Volkswagen, one of the few manufacturers to offer turbo-diesels, has refined diesel technology to the point that its usual clatter is quiet, its performance quite good, and its noxious odor nonexistent. Finally, that like the era’s fuel shortages, 1970s shirt collars would have warranted government regulation were they any bigger.

As for the new Golf, its diesel clatter somehow seems louder, but it otherwise shares the desirable traits of previous VW TDIs, including fuel economy, for which the government rates the Golf as coming in at between 32 and 43 mpg. In fact, in its economy, utility, and simplicity, a turbo-diesel system seems well suited to the Mexican-made subcompact.

An abridged version of the three box Jetta sedan, the Golf is part of that class of hatchbacks also occupied by the Ford Focus and Honda Civic, among others. The poor sales of the base $16,000 Golf relative to the more expensive Jetta likely results from the fact that, unlike Europeans, we Americans tend to hold hatchbacks in low regard. For one thing, their trim two-box configurations fail to rise to the intimidating proportions required by us for utility-oriented vehicles. For another, they’re way too small to carry off accessories like spoilers and body cladding without resembling tarted-up poodles working the overflow at the dog show. Rather, as simple utilitarian vehicles whose economy includes a certain aesthetic restraint, subcompact hatches must rely on whatever enclaves of modesty and good taste are available to them.

Still relatively squared-off after all these years, the front-wheel-drive Golf is a leader among subcompact hatchbacks, and the only one to offer a turbo diesel in addition to its standard gasoline engines. The TDI comes in both GL and GLS trim, with a motor that’s a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder, inline turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine delivering 90 horsepower and which comes paired with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission accompanied by a manual shift gate. All Golf TDIs have four-wheel antilock brakes, 15-inch wheels, front and rear gas shocks, and power-assisted rack and pinion steering as standard equipment.

The “Tomato Red” test TDI was devoid of such deluxe features as heated leather seats and automatic climate controls despite being a higher trim GLS. Still, its standard-equipment powered sunroof and illuminated lock and window switches were nice touches. The hatchback’s no-nonsense dash set an array of cleanly laid out instruments before the driver, who, along with his front passenger, enjoyed the benefits of superior interior workmanship and materials, above-average head and legroom, and solid, supportive seats – although these last could put the squeeze on any rear passengers if moved back too far. The rear seats, in turn, folded down to enhance the versatility of the VW’s cargo room – an amply proportioned bit of load space conventionally accessed by means of the Golf’s hatch.

Enhanced as they are by a reinforced Unibody structure and McPhersonstrut front (and track-correcting rear torsion-beam rear) suspensions, VW Golfs are highly regarded for their excellent performance and handling characteristics. However, Golf TDIs are not high-revvers, and with their 15-inch tires and lack of any traction-control system, they are unable to produce the same levels of agility, grunt, and speed as do the sporty Golf GLI and R32 V6 models. That said, the solid-feeling cars are earnestly willing, and while the tester exhibited less early braking and more body lean than is desirable, it showed us tenacious grip on back roads and unflaggingly perfect manners along the highway.

With looks that are now getting somewhat long in the tooth, it’s a cinch that the 2004 Golf TDI didn’t draw any longing stares. But we didn’t mind. We knew we were surrounded by a solid machine, the modesty, practicality, and appearance of which we could enjoy privately, and with therefore even greater satisfaction.