Kevin Haggarthy road tests the new award winning VW Golf 2-0 litre TDI 140 ps
Basic on the road price 19,236
This latest version of an already great car is a subtle but significant improvement over its predecessor, setting absolute standards for the class, making it arguably, one of the best (if not the best) small family saloons on the market. A bold statement I know, but one based on many years of testing and sampling cars like these.
This latest version of the Golf has a significant, albeit subtle design makeover. Its predecessor, the Mark V was already good. As a Mark V owner my personal choice of car is testimony to that. So the basic DNA remains unchanged - namely chassis, doors window apertures and roof, as are the basic engine range. But leave it at that and we’d be paying very short thrift to what is a truly excellent small family saloon that has made a very good car, a very much better car.
Better by design
This latest version of the Golf has a significant, albeit subtle design makeover. Its predecessor, the Mark V was already good. As a Mark V owner my personal choice of car is testimony to that. So the basic DNA remains unchanged - namely chassis, doors window apertures and roof, as are the basic engine range. But leave it at that and we’d be paying very short thrift to what is a truly excellent small family saloon that has made a very good car, a very much better car.
Better by design
Design and styling are subjective matters but there is a crispier more modern look to the new car. Sat side by side to my albeit beefier Mark V R32 ,the Mark VI has a cleaner, more compact appearance. It also looks and feels plusher inside too. A tad of much needed luxury has gone into the dash and switchgear, the latter trimmed at the edges with chrome, the Golf’s cabin now proving a much plusher place to be. The seats too, brushed in Alcantara Suede add to that ‘quality’ feel. Inside there are improvements all round; with clearer, more prominent, and better located switchgear. It all makes the Golf feel better value for money.
Our test car was the 2.0 litre diesel, and oh does this engine change your perception of diesels! No more aching headache when you start from cold, or noisy humdrum arthritic tone on the move. Flip the coin totally for the true story – this is a spritely tremendously smooth and progressive engine. Whilst the standard 0-62 mph is a respectable 9.3 secs, its top speed is an official 130 mph. Do you really need more? What’s more, with an average 57 mpg you’ll see a good 450 miles plus on a full tank of diesel – all that in a comfortable highly versatile every day and long distance well built machine.
Compelling
Behind the wheel the Golf enthuses the driver; the steering feels confidence inspiring and sure footed at any speed, the gearbox an absolute pleasure to use, and the handling safe and predictable. The body feels light yet strong on the move; the kind of feeling a responsible parent likes to have about the sturdiness of a car in an accident. For quality, refinement, and strong engineering integrity, the new Golf is a compelling proposition. The Golf has exceeded its own boundaries yet again.
Our test car was the 2.0 litre diesel, and oh does this engine change your perception of diesels! No more aching headache when you start from cold, or noisy humdrum arthritic tone on the move. Flip the coin totally for the true story – this is a spritely tremendously smooth and progressive engine. Whilst the standard 0-62 mph is a respectable 9.3 secs, its top speed is an official 130 mph. Do you really need more? What’s more, with an average 57 mpg you’ll see a good 450 miles plus on a full tank of diesel – all that in a comfortable highly versatile every day and long distance well built machine.
Compelling
Behind the wheel the Golf enthuses the driver; the steering feels confidence inspiring and sure footed at any speed, the gearbox an absolute pleasure to use, and the handling safe and predictable. The body feels light yet strong on the move; the kind of feeling a responsible parent likes to have about the sturdiness of a car in an accident. For quality, refinement, and strong engineering integrity, the new Golf is a compelling proposition. The Golf has exceeded its own boundaries yet again.
