The venerable Volkswagen Golf remains to be among the finest small vehicles that cash should purchase – it’s only a disgrace you want a good bit more cash to purchase one lately than in years passed by.
The ‘base’ mannequin examined right here is slightly below $40,000 earlier than on-road prices, and a bit greater than that to get it into your driveway.
In reality, on the time of publication, this 2024 Golf 110TSI Life is a $41,990 drive-away proposition, and we’ve even received a white one with no choices, so that is precisely the automotive you get at that promo worth.
So, in a world the place you could possibly as a substitute get a totally electrical hatchback for much less cash, or perhaps select a petrol-electric hybrid, does the VW Golf nonetheless stack up?
You guess it does – learn on to seek out out why.
How does the Volkswagen Golf evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen Golf in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Volkswagen
Golf
How a lot does the Volkswagen Golf price?
On take a look at right here is the entry-level Golf Life – presently marketed for $41,990 drive-away.
| Mannequin Variant | $RRP |
|---|---|
| 2024 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life | $39,190 or $41,990 D/A |
| 2024 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI R-Line | $42,290 |
| 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI | $56,090 or $59,990 D/A |
| 2024 Volkswagen Golf R | $70,590 |
To see how the Volkswagen Golf traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Volkswagen Golf like on the within?
Basic VW Golf. Premium, elegant and principally easy.
Properly, aside from the media system, which I nonetheless wrestle to become familiar with even after being uncovered to this setup for a couple of years now.
As with most anybody who has pushed a present Golf, the bits that take some studying embody the haptic quantity and temperature controls, and annoyingly there isn’t a dial or button for fan pace (if you happen to’re a fan fiddler like me, you’ll hate that).
You possibly can leap into the local weather display screen through the use of the little temp show, and or hitting the ‘Clima’ management button beneath the display screen – but it surely’s all stuff that buttons and dials did higher within the final gen.
Not less than there’s a set of precise buttons on the steering wheel, as a substitute of haptics. These are welcome!
Past these controls being rather less than excellent, the display screen has a heap of menus and data panels, together with built-in sat nav, in addition to a number of shows to regulate settings and driving options.
There’s additionally wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even this base mannequin has a wi-fi cellphone charger, too.
Plus there’s a totally digital instrument panel which is crisp and appears sensible, and has manageable and learnable controls by the use of the steering wheel buttons.
The cabin has good storage up entrance, together with a pair of cupholders between the seats (adjustable to show into an open stowage gap as a substitute, if you want) and there’s slightly tiny storage pocket underneath the centre armrest.
Entrance doorways have giant pockets with bottle holsters moulded into them, and they’re lined for rattle-free driving.
The seats are nice. Tremendous comfy and supportive, and although they’re handbook and never heated, there may be ample peak adjustment and bolster modify.
It is a bizarre remark, however I’ve made it to VW execs up to now — my Mum has actually brief legs, and finds the seat base too prolonged for her to get cozy. That will or might not issue into your choices if you happen to’re greater than 4’11” (slightly below 150cm)!
Within the again there’s ample room for 2 adults to suit, and three in a squeeze. That’s primarily because of the enormous transmission tunnel intrusion that eats into foot house, as a result of in any other case it’s broad sufficient to suit three regular-sized adults.
I can match behind my very own 182cm/6’0” driving place, however my knees brush the seat forward and I’ve a restricted quantity of foot house.
I believe it’s nice to see VW supply three-zone local weather management on this entry mannequin, with directional vents for rear riders. And naturally there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tethers.
There’s spectacular stowage within the again with map pockets on each seat backs, and a pair of higher pockets for gadgets or tissue packs or lollies – neat!
There are additionally lined door bins for bottles, a flip-down armrest with cup holders, and a ski port even on the bottom mannequin!
A few of the again door plastics are a tougher selection than up entrance however a minimum of the ambient mild strips circulate to the second row.
The boot is an efficient dimension for slightly automotive, with 374 litres of cargo capability on supply with the seats up, which expands to 1230 litres with the seats folded down.
They don’t go completely flat however with the boot ground in its highest place there’s a flat sufficient house for an IKEA run, or you possibly can decrease that boot ground all the way down to maximise room if you happen to’re utilizing the again seat.
There’s a space-saver spare wheel underneath the boot ground, and purchasing bag hooks to cease issues flying round within the boot.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life |
|---|---|
| Size | 4284mm |
| Width | 1789mm |
| Peak | 1456mm |
| Wheelbase | 2636mm |
| Boot capability | 374-1230 litres |
To see how the Volkswagen Golf traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The entry-level Golf runs a 110TSI powertrain, and on this occasion it’s a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.
As you might have guessed, the facility output is 110kW (5000rpm) and there’s 250Nm of torque (from 1500-4000rpm). This mannequin has an eight-speed torque-converter automated versus a dual-clutch DSG auto that’s employed in different Golf variants. It’s front-wheel drive.
Towing capability is 660kg unbraked and 1500kg braked, which is sweet for a small automotive like this (higher than some small SUVs, in reality!).
It requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, and has an official mixed cycle gas use determine of simply 5.8 litres per 100km.
On take a look at, I’ve seen a powerful return of 6.3L/100km, together with a couple of longer freeway stints that noticed the show drop to 4.6L/100km, so it could be an ideal alternative for many who do distance commuting.
How does the Volkswagen Golf drive?
It’s such a snug and stress-free drive expertise.
As a result of this model of the Golf doesn’t have a DSG twin clutch auto – as a substitute it has an eight-speed torque converter – it’s much less fussy to remove from a standstill, and there’s much less potential for concern about selecting a niche in visitors in consequence.
The draw back of this auto is while you ask a bit extra of it in open highway conditions, it may well really feel a bit confused. It’s not horrible, simply not as snappy as a DSG while you go to overhaul or out of the blue want extra from the powertrain. There’s additionally no Auto Maintain button so you need to maintain your foot on the brake at a cease.
The engine is an efficient one, too, with simply sufficient zest and grunt to get issues shifting with a full load of household, and it’s zippy in city driving if you happen to’re in your lonesome too.
Whereas it won’t be a GTI, it has an ideal highway method to it as effectively.
The suspension is effectively calibrated and affords a snug and managed experience, with predictable dealing with and correct steering making this a straightforward each day automotive, but additionally handles itself effectively if you happen to want or wish to ask slightly extra of it.
Even this base mannequin has unbiased rear suspension, so it may well deal with itself, and whereas the Nexen NFera Sport tyres aren’t the final phrase in efficiency rubber, it truly is a predictable and likeable factor to drive.
The brakes nonetheless may take some acclimation. They’re a bit grabby and likewise fairly loud – like, you possibly can hear the brakes over anything at decrease speeds.
You solely get a reversing digital camera, but it surely’s an excellent one, and there’s a wide-view show as effectively. There are additionally entrance and rear parking sensors as normal, in addition to an auto parking system if you wish to use it.
There’s a superb Manoeuvre Braking system which might detect obstacles or folks and hit the brakes if the system thinks you received’t. It did that for me with a passing pedestrian, and boy was {that a} reduction.
One other plus is that the protection aids on this automotive aren’t overbearing, with none of that beeping-bonging nonsense that different vehicles have.
The adaptive cruise management is sweet, however if you happen to’re in a left or center lane and attempting to keep up tempo, it received’t go sooner than the automotive in the proper lane, even when it’s a slowpoke.
I perceive there’s a German “you don’t hog the quick lane” stage of fine intent from this tech, however the actuality is that lane self-discipline is just not an Aussie sturdy swimsuit, and it may be irritating as a result of you possibly can’t flip that ‘security’ characteristic off.
One other criticism frequent to this era of Golf fashions is there’s fairly a little bit of highway noise on the freeway, particularly on coarse-chip surfaces.
What do you get?
On take a look at right here is the entry-level Golf 110TSI Life variant.
Golf Life highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automated LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Energy-folding aspect mirrors
- 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7-speaker sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Tri-zone local weather management
- 10-colour inside ambient lighting
- Keyless entry and begin
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Material upholstery
- Consolation entrance seats with lumbar adjustment
- Baggage partition
- Ski port
- Area-saver spare wheel
- Puddle lights
- Illuminated exterior door handles
Is the Volkswagen Golf secure?
The Golf vary has a five-star ANCAP security ranking from 2019 assessments.
It scored 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 76 per cent for weak highway consumer safety, and 80 per cent for security help.
Commonplace security tools contains:
- 9 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Multi-collision brake
- Applies brakes if you happen to’re in a crash, stopping additional chaos
- Lane maintain help
- Journey Help
- Entrance cross-traffic alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Park Help
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Emergency Help
- Secure exit warning
How a lot does the Volkswagen Golf price to run?
Like all Volkswagen fashions bought in Australia, the Golf comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km.
2024 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI service pricing:
| Service Interval | Value |
|---|---|
| 12 months/15,000km | $520 |
| 24 months/30,000km | $763 |
| 36 months/45,000km | $506 |
| 48 months/60,000km | $1176 |
| 60 months/75,000km | $506 |
That may appear dear, however Volkswagen affords a pay as you go service bundle for 3 or 5 years, which reduces the fee by a bit. The three-year plan is $1610 (saving of $177), and the five-year plan is $2950 (saving of $518).
There’s one yr roadside help included without cost, which is able to renew while you service with the model. Additionally, if you happen to finance by means of VW Australia, you’ve the choice of setting a assured future worth to your automotive – may very well be a pleasant fallback, if you happen to’re planning to take out a mortgage anyway.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Golf
It mightn’t be electrical, and even hybrid, however the VW Golf remains to be a contemporary and compelling alternative for a hatchback purchaser who needs one thing that feels a bit particular inside and drives actually, actually properly.
Personally I’d spend slightly bit extra to get into the R-Line, however if you happen to’re cool with this extra comfy, much less audacious alternative, then you definitely’ll be pleased with it, I reckon.
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