VW Volkswagen Golf New Car Review - Car Reviews

Volkswagen Golf

VERDICT:

Well built, fun to drive and yet practical; the VW Volkswagen Golf really is the people's hatchback hero

Performance

The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 comes with a wide range of the German firm's excellent engines, including a 113bhp 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol and a 104bhp 1.9 turbo diesel with lots of low- and mid-range grunt. All get the job of moving the car done handsomely with the exception of the 79bhp 1.4-litre FSI, which is wheezy at speed. Most entertaining to drive is the 138bhp 2.0 TDI that has plenty of punch for quick B-road driving and also for quiet and refined motorway work. The Golf Sport GT uses either a 170bhp 1.4 T-FSI or a 168bhp two-litre TDi, the most potent diesel ever to power a Golf. The 1.4 T-FSI is a gem of an engine. With hardly any turbo lag, it catapults you forward with an enthusiasm not seen since the GTi, reaching 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds and making a seriously fruity noise in the process. Who needs a GTi?

Driving

For the latest generation of Golf, VW has sharpened the car's handling to a point where it rivals the Ford Focus. The chassis is taut and agile, able to take corners at high speeds thanks to excellent body roll control. If there's one complaint it's that the electric power steering doesn't give enough feed back.

Space

Leg space is excellent all round, but especially in the rear where passengers feel the benefits of this being the biggest Golf yet. Headroom is equally generous while there's good access to the rear thanks to the high roofline. The boot may not be the biggest at 350 litres (the Focus' is 385 litres) but it's easily accessible and a good shape.

Build quality

Build quality is first rate. Over an epic, ten day, 10,000-mile, pan-European Top Gear test in 2004 the Golf never put a foot wrong and felt as tight as when the journey started. This is due to high quality materials and the German firm's excellent eye for details. There have been no short cuts in the construction of this car.

Equipment

Every model has air-con, a CD player and front electric windows while alloys become standard at the Match onwards. Leather isn't standard on any model but it can be bought as an extra on the Sport GT and GTI.

Safety

All examples come with six airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control as standard. There are also active front head restraints to minimise whiplash injuries, just one the reasons why the car scored a maximum NCAP five stars.

Owning

The biggest positive about buying a Golf are the excellent residual values since it's on track to keep almost 40 percent of its original cost after three years. The engines are economical and thanks to excellent emissions are all in relatively low tax brackets.

Value

These certainly aren't the cheapest cars in the class - the base model is £1,000 more than the entry Focus 1.4 Studio.

Verdict

It's a fantastic allrounder, providing driving thrills for those out looking for them, practicality for those that aren't and reliability for both. And with its all-encompassing cache, it sits happily outside estates at both ends of the social scale.

Fancy something bigger?

VW Golf Estate

Good looking estate version of VW's ubiquitous hatchback. T here's the typical Golf spaciousness for the passengers while the boot is a good shape and a good size at 1,550 litres. Stay away from the under powered 1.6 petrol and it'll be a great family car.

Fancy something hotter?

VW Golf GTi

With 197bhp on offer from its 2.0 turbo engine, the Golf has certainly got the grunt to match its rivals and is once again the class-leading hot hatch. A DSG-equipped GT i will crack 0-62mph in just 6.9secs with a 146mph top speed. It looks subtly cool too.

Or

VW Golf R32