Everything about Volkswagen cars


Volkswagen Golf review

The Golf doesn't relish being hurried. It hasIt certainly appears a quality item; panels
a laid-back character, and is at its bestgaps are thin, black plastic inserts are well
when traveling at high speed. On motorways,executed and details such as the jewel-like
very  little wind noise penetrates the cabin.light clusters and rounded door handles are
unbeatable.
On smooth surfaces, the cruising ability is
superb. But on bumpy roads, the softerBetter still, tap a body panel and the metal
suspension of regular models means there's asounds thick; slam a door and there's a
fair amount of roll and wallow. In short, thesatisfying thunk. The range of S, Match,
VW isn't as well controlled as exemplars suchSport and GT models stands out alongside
as the Ford Focus, and feel slightlyrivals such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall
lethargic.Astra, Toyota Auris and Honda Civic. Don't
forget, there are also sporty GTI and R32
It turns in accurately enough, and thevariants  as  well.
speed-sensitive steering is well weighted,
but compared to the Focus, it's not aOwning:In terms of design, the VW is
particularly engaging car to drive. Sportunspectacular. It's well laid out, very
models, with stiffer, lower suspension, areuser-friendly and tasteful, but ultimately
better in this respect, with a small penaltyrather unimaginative. What saves it is its
in terms of ride quality. As for engines, thesheer depth of quality - and not only in
1.6-litre FSI is the most popular petrolobvious  areas.
choice, but it isn't the last word in
smoothness. It's quite at idle but isEverything in the cockpit has clearly been ..
intrusive once on the move, and becomeshas clearly been subjected to the same
coarse and boomy toward the upper reaches ofrigorous checks and controls. Whether it's
its rev range. Yet it provides reasonablethe beautifully damped cubby lids, the
mid-range  power.leather on the steering wheel, the
blue-backlit dials or the near-silent
More impressive is the costlier 1.4-litre TSIelectric mirror motors, all features have
unit, which combines supercharger andbeen carefully honed. We also love the wide
turbocharger to provide meaningful low-revdoor pockets that will hold 1-litre water
pull coupled with sprightly high-rev manners.bottles. Comfort is another strong suit, with
It's a superb engine, with the performance ofmasses of seat and steering adjustment, and
a larger unit yet the economy of a regularample space around the driver. Four adults
1.6. There's also a 2.0-litre FSI that'swill fit in with ease and the light, bright
likely to be phased out soon, plus aenvironment also features a high roof and
1.4-litre entry-level engine that strugglesclassy trim. This upmarket air clearly
with the Golf's weight. Brakes aren'timpresses the used sector - the Golf has a
class-leading due to the high kerbweight,superb retained value of over 50 per cent.
too.Most models are economical too, and a large
55-litre fuel tank gives ample miles between
Marketplace:fills. But price may be a stumbling block.
This is a premium product and VW charges so.
Want to build an upmarket hatch? This is theIt's therefore disappointing to see only
benchmark by which all others are judged. Theaverage equipment levels and expensive
Golf is a byword for quality and comfort, andoptions.
so is one of the class's most desirable cars.



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