You can't really see the difference, but this is the new sixth generation Golf and it's much improved!
The three or five-door hatchback gets a new grille and light clusters and these are the main visible changes to an exterior shape that has remained pretty much the same over the last 30- odd years. Subtle is good for many Golf buyers as the German car continues to be a classless icon that can often be seen in the poshest of driveways without looking out of place.
Inside, the Golf remains foremost functional. The materials used are sturdy and classic VW in style, but an opportunity has been missed to add a sense of occasion to the Golf, which means you will always know you are in a 'C' class small family car.
The new Golf grows on you and with time the functionality of the interior and the car's understated appearance wins you over. The ride has been improved, too, and I actually found myself taking the twisty way home on more than one occasion as the car is more spirited than its predecessor. There is seating for five plus a reasonable boot with 350 litres of cargo room. If you fold the seats, there is up to 1,350 litres available.
The latest Golf is a safe car, having scored highly at the Euro NCAP with 37 out of 38 for occupant safety. So, the NCAP 'Five Star' Golf ticks a lot of boxes, but I keep asking myself why couldn't VW have made the design a little more daring?!
Of the new toys available, the rear camera assist is one to take note of as an option. It features a camera mounted inside the rear VW badge. The emblem pops out a little to reveal the reversing camera when needed. Specification levels are divided into 'Trend', 'Comfort' and 'Highline'.
My test car featured the latest 7-speed DSG gearbox. The automated manual box continues to be my favourite VW feature. The gearbox is more economical than a conventional manual gearbox, plus it shifts gears quicker than you humanly can. 0-100km/h takes 8 seconds but generally the car wants to behave itself and is quite content making modest progress.
The engine range for Ireland starts off with an 80bhp 1.4 litre petrol with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Two higher powered 1.4s (6-speed manual/7-speed DSG) are also available with either 122bhp or 160bhp (my TSi test car). Two 2-litre diesels with 110bhp or 140bhp (6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG) fill out the range. Of course, the diesels just sip juice and deliver a combined average fuel consumption of just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres travelled or 57.6mpg in old money. Emissions are low, too, with the Golf hitting VRT tax bands 'A', 'B' and 'C', depending on engine and version. Prices start at €20,755 and rise to €32,925 without ticking any additional options.
The new Golf has received the 'Environmental Commendation' from TUV Nord (I've never heard of it either!) - that apparently means the Golf over its entire lifecycle from birth to recycling is pretty green.
This car is a quality 'grower' that in a short week has grown on me; VW just needs to hire a few Italian designers.
Michael Sheridan
