The Volkswagen Golf is the swat at the front of the school class. The long-term employee who is never ill.
You can drive a Golf into Mayfair and hold your head up high. You can park it on the estate (Council or Country) and not draw attention to yourself.
Like all just-so combinations, you wonder if it has a hidden flaw. Something to take the pressure off everything and everyone else. With a Golf, you check out the bloated looks and sensible trim and instantly think, ‘a ha! It will be a dull ride!”
Not so. Despite its chunky external appearance the Golf handles really well. It feels like a much smaller car. It encourages confidence to go for the gaps in traffic and whiz up car-park ramps. Around twisting roads it is extremely neutral and straightforward. No flaws in the handling.
It makes an interesting contrast with the Volkswagen Jetta tested last month. The Jetta felt agile too, but the hatch back is the better handling car. Which surprises me, as normally saloons have a better weight balance. It makes me wonder if the Jetta is really a totally different car, or just too much of an after-thought, given the importance of the Golf to the company’s sales.
Lot’s of the cars we test are diesel and for good reason. You tell us that you like the economic benefits and at present they are the greener option. After testing a few diesels, even petrol heads like me, start to like diesels; impressed by the economy and new levels of refinement.
But the 1.6 Petrol engine in this Golf threw all those weeks of slowly convincing me away. It is so smooth, requires far fewer gear changes, pulls away with the little bit of much-needed zip just when you need it. And even if you have been in one of the best diesels, petrol is still more versatile, quieter and lighter on the clutch. Even though I gave last month’s Jetta the thumbs up for its diesel engine, the petrol just feels superior.
Inside, you notice that the door panels are very slim and seem to be cut quite low; is build quality slipping you wonder? On closer inspection, you realise, no. The low panels just provide for large windows that allow sunlight to flood in. Apparently, as property prices are still so high, young artists are considering using them for studios.
The test-car had an extraordinary cloth trim covered in little pimples. In the best Golf tradition, this is a material that has clearly been cut to last around 100 years. After a little while it really grows on you too; like your Grandparent’s chintz curtains, there is something comforting about it.
All round head and leg room is excellent. How do other manufacturers, when managing to comply with the endless EU regulations on safety and environment, still drop the ball on these fundamentals? Volkswagen never lose sight of the need for a car to do the basics perfectly. Four (may be five) adults could sit in Golf all day without it getting fractious or anyone getting cramp.
The build quality is what you expect. Although I wonder about the air conditioning controls. They were perhaps only 99% solid, compromising the rest of the car’s 110% solid rating.
You have to feel sorry for the other players in the market. They have all made such strides in quality, performance and styling. But Volkswagen still manage to create something that feels perfect. Even though I think it looks chubby, I accept that it looks stylish and sophisticated. Like someone who wears their weight with all the confidence their endless success in life has given them.
The only real flaw, and this won’t worry Volkswagen, is that it is an average of £3,000 more expensive than the equivalent 18-month--old Vauxhall Astra or Ford Focus. That is a lot of money for a car that while better is only a few percent better and in almost intangible ways. As much as I like the Golf I would not spend the extra money just for the badge. I would spend the money on extra specification on my Astra or Focus.
If you like the looks and don’t mind – or perhaps even want to - pay for the brand image, you will buy and love your Golf.
I can’t see the Golf ever letting you down. It may well be the 21st Century man’s new best friend.
Summary
The most competent family car in the market. It’s looks are bloated and it price is always strong, but that’s because it has no real flaws. It is truly effortless to live with.
Road test details
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Match
OTR: £15,320
MPG: 42.2
0-60: 10.8 secs
Words: Matthew Tumbridge