VW Golf SE 1.4 TSI 3-door | Road Test Review

“VW’s Golf is truly a legend in its own
lifetime. To date, over 26 million have
been sold in 120 countries around the
world. And now the latest sixth-
generation Golf has been voted 2009
World Car of the Year...”

ALTHOUGH THE LATEST GOLF RANGE was available for ordering from last October, customer deliveries to the UK started in January and since then the Golf has received numerous awards from the motoring press. And none more important than the latest: World Car of the Year — a huge accolade bestowed by 59 international automotive writers from 25 countries.

I wasn't one of them but when I scripted my first drive editorial about the new Golf at the end of last year, I did make it my car of the year. For me the new Golf came out narrowly ahead of the highly-successful new Ford Fiesta which, interestingly is currently the best-selling car in Europe ahead of the new but larger Golf.

I am always being asked for my opinion on what is the 'best car to buy' or the 'best car to drive' — and there is no single model range that meets all requirements. But for now the Golf is as close as you can get to being 'the best car'.

Everything about it feels just right; really together in every way. The Golf has great poise, the balance is near perfect, it feels solid and well made, it is comfortable, it is nimble and there is a choice of three- and five-door models, a wide choice of engines and transmissions and S, SE and GT specification levels. And the range goes on evolving with the arrival, on 22 May, of the Golf GTI models priced from Ł22,410 followed, on 22 June, by the GTD 'hot' diesel versions with prices from Ł21,850. The taller-bodied Golf Plus 'MPV' models added to the line-up in early April are based on the sixth-generation Golf platform.

Core Golf hatchback models have prices starting from Ł13,585 for the cheapest three-door and Ł14,170 for the lowest price five-door. Both these models have the 1.4-litre, normally aspirated 79bhp petrol engine which is underpowered. However, there is a full line-up of petrol and diesel engine options including the BlueMotion 1.6-litre TDI 105g/km low emission models.

Given today's market conditions — the traffic congestion we now take for granted, more and more speed restrictions, fuel prices now increasing again — the most sensible model in the new Golf range is the SE 1.4-litre TSI 120bhp (122PS) three-door hatchback priced at Ł15,930 on-the-road.

This Golf, or the five-door version which might suit more owners but comes with a Ł16,520 price tag, is the coming together of two great products. Firstly, the latest sixth-generation Golf body shape and, secondly, probably the finest mass-market engine currently produced.

This is the 1.4-litre, 120bhp, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit. Not only is it fuel- and CO2-efficient, but its new turbocharger technology produces real 'grunt' — 148lb ft of torque from as low as 1,500rpm. That's as good as, if not better than, a diesel. This really is a remarkable engine — not to mince words, it's the best in the world. So in one product we have the current World Car of the Year and the best engine in the world for mass-market customers. Around 22% of all UK Golf sales — mostly retail customers — will take up this engine option.

“Word-of-mouth
recommendations are
keeping the order books
healthy despite
the downturn in the
market...”

For those wanting more power from a small capacity petrol engine there is a supercharged and turbocharged version of the 1.4-litre unit with 158bhp/177lb ft of power/torque available in GT specification.

The latest Golf is an evolution of the last Mark V version in terms of styling, but the torsionally rigidity of the bodyshell, the overall balance of the car, the hugely improved build quality and improved specification make the Mark VI Golf the best yet. Most noticeable is the much improved sound deadening, both from wind and tyre noise intrusion thanks to better insulation, new door seals and a sound reflecting windscreen. Safety equipment has also been improved with seven airbags, Electronic Stability Control and a Euro NCAP 5-Star safety rating all standard.

Other standard equipment includes the already-mentioned traction control along with remote central door locking, split folding rear seats, multifunction computer, front electric windows, air conditioning and stereo sound system. Load space, incidentally, is 350 to 1,305 litres.

In addition, the most popular SE trim comes with an alarm, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, upgraded sound system and 16-inch alloy wheels. GT versions gain, among other items, a lowered sports suspension, 'cornering' front fog lights, sports seats, leather trim features and 17-inch alloys.

The styling changes are hardly noticeable; a new grille being the easiest to spot. The bodyshell is actually a shade shorter (at 4,199mm) and a little lower (at 1,479mm) than its predecessor but it is significantly wider at 1,786mm. This makes the car feel roomier. Volkswagen's view was not to change the new Golf too much in terms of looks — customers liked the styling so why alter it? However some of the media questioned if the new Golf was different enough to make people want to change their cars?

Luckily for VW, owning a Golf is a ritual: as owners are finding out that the new one is so much better than the last generation, word-of-mouth recommendations are keeping the order books healthy despite the downturn in the market.

In almost all areas the new Golf impresses: for out-and-out quality and refinement, ride comfort, balanced handling and more value for money. It also has the best volume production engine in terms of size versus performance and fuel economy and the iconic Golf body shape. It's a great all-round package. However, nobody can call the new Golf a financial bargain — there are cheaper C-segment cars out there; just none better. — David Miles

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