ROAD TEST: VW Golf 2.0 TDI Highline DSG
The thing about the Golf is that it's just so classy, yet class-less at the same time. In fact, I can't think of any other car that gets this balance so right.
You could date Donald Trump's daughter, for instance, and you won't look like too much of a peasant as you're driving up the tenacious tycoon's diamond-encrusted driveway. On the other hand you could drive through a grubby corner of town and not feel too ostentatious in your Golf. It’s automotive Levi’s.
But is the new one just too conservative? VW's seventh attempt at a Golf has got some tongues wagging because it looks too similar to the ones that came before it. I get that, and I do wish they'd sharpened some of the lines and added some more zing here and there, but somehow I still like it just the way it is. It's just so well proportioned and elegant, especially in Highline trim.
Like its Audi A3 cousin that also follows an evolutionary path, the new Golf's design is sure to age well.
There's no design revolution inside the new Golf either, but it is a notch or two more exciting now that they've angled the dash more towards the driver.
PRECISION CRAFTED
The last two generations of Golf have been known for their quality feel inside and improving on this was a hard act to follow but VW seems to have done it once again. The build quality is in the 'carved from granite' league and the textures look like they belong on a car that costs twice as much. Every little detail looks like it's been precision crafted.
While my Highline test unit looked a little sombre and grey inside, there are different trim options for those that want to spice things up a little.
This flagship trim also brings VW's Composition Media audio system into the equation, which boasts a 5.8-inch touchscreen that pre-emptively loads the menu you're looking for when it detects your finger approaching. It also syncs well with smartphones and has all the necessary USB, SD card, aux and Bluetooth connections that you'd expect in a modern car.
The Highline is also decked out with cruise control, auto headlights and Alcantara sports seats that are heated up front.
It's practicality as a family car has been thought of too, and there is a generous amount of rear legroom by class standards - there's space to stretch and headroom is ample.
GREAT TO DRIVE
The Golf's evolutionary not-so-new look might imply otherwise, but the Golf 7 is built on a brand new platform. Those who've driven the sixth-generation would wonder why this was necessary as that was a very good car to drive. It seems the redesign has more to do with putting it on a new modular platform that will save VW money in the long run, and with cutting weight to meet economy regulations. To that end, the new Golf is around 100kg lighter than before.
They haven't messed with a winning formula though, and the Golf still boasts a very compliant ride, neat road holding and good steering feedback. Everything about the driving experience feels positive, refined and comfortable.
The 2.0 TDI featured here is the most expensive engine in the range, but it does offer the best balance between performance and economy.
With 110kW and 320Nm from as low as 1750rpm, this TDI - which comes standard with a smooth-shifting DSG gearbox - is rather gutsy and refined but it does dawdle a bit off the mark, this aggravated by the idle-stop system that can take a while to restart the engine, which then has to fight a smidgen of turbo lag. You eventually learn to pre-empt your pull-offs by momentarily releasing the brake pedal ahead of time.
VW claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.5 litres per 100km but in real-world driving I managed 6.2 l/100km in mixed conditions, which is rather reasonable for a diesel engine of its size.
VERDICT
I'm the first one to complain about car prices, but looking at this Golf, I really don't feel it's too unreasonable in light of what you're getting. The new Golf is a class act in just about every respect. That said, the 2.0 TDI will give you a R334 800 knock; looking at the range, you'd probably get the best value-to-desirability ratio with the surprisingly peppy 90kW 1.4 TSI Comfortline, which comes in at R264 900.
PRICE
VW Golf 2.0 TDI Highline DSG (110kW/320Nm) - R334 800
ALTERNATIVES
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Trend AT (120kW/340Nm) - R275 100
Honda Civic 5-dr 2.2 i-DTEC (110kW/350Nm) - R356 400
Mercedes A220 CDI (125kW/350Nm) - R355 000
Volvo V40 D3 Excel (110kW/350Nm) - R339 800