Test drive VW Golf: 100 kilometers
Test Drive

Test drive VW Golf: 100 kilometers

Test drive VW Golf: 100 kilometers

Is a modern drive strong enough? And everything else too?

The emotional radiance of the VW Golf is more like a serious news anchor than a witty presenter. Spontaneous applause? By the sixth generation they are gone; Golf should work - that's all. However, when since September 2009 a test Golf with a TSI engine and a power of 122 hp has passed. settled permanently in one of the places in the editorial parking lot, a hail of overly emotional comments poured over his rather unsightly United Gray varnish. The reason is the truffle-brown leather seats, which were conspicuous from behind the windows like a chic contrasting shirt collar and cuffs sticking out from under a gray sweater. It is extremely rare for an eternal hero of the compact class to be dressed so elegantly.

In the list of options

Since leather upholstery is only available in conjunction with very comfortable sports seats, VW is asking for a surcharge of € 1880 for this. For that matter, the test car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, sunroof, xenon headlights, navigation system and adaptive dampers subtly raised its price to an impressive € 35, which also sparked lively discussions.

We can agree that only a small number of model representatives have the opportunity to row so uncontrollably out of a bag with accessories, but many buyers still allow themselves this or that attractive addition. They are probably wondering if the rearview camera continues to work reliably under the VW logo even after 100 kilometers. Will an active parking assistant be able to drive the car into any gap? Does the DSG gearshift continue to shift as quickly as it did on the day of purchase?

The most important thing

First, the cabin was remarkably quiet, in part due to the unusually smooth operation of the turbo engine. Reader Thomas Schmidt at first even tried to "start at every traffic light" his Golf with the same engine, because at idle the four-cylinder unit is almost silent. In addition, the direct injection unit turned out to be extremely temperamental - a quality that is not yet inherent in standard engines in this power class. Here, the 1,4-litre engine plays the role of a forced refueling goat, giving it a peak torque of 200 Nm at a low 1500 rpm.

True, accelerating from standstill to 100 km / h in 10,2 seconds, the test car was 9,5 seconds behind the factory data, but no one complained about the lack of power. However, at 71 kilometers, a few horsepower seemed to be drowned in the waters of Lake Constance, near which our Golf was moving at that time. Exhaust check indicator light forced us to visit an off-schedule service, and they diagnosed a malfunction in the levers that control the turbocharger. The treatment required replacing the block with a new one - not because the turbine was damaged, but because, in order to reduce production costs, the failed components were already an integral part of the turbocharger design and had to be completely replaced. The repair cost almost 511 euros and was covered by the warranty, but after so many miles it benefited very few customers.

Always on the go

Individual Golf owners have also reported problems with the boost technology of two 1.4 TSI variants with 122 and 160 hp. However, the manufacturer did not take the cars to the service, since the corresponding breakdowns occurred very rarely. Despite the unfortunate accident, the participant of the Golf Marathon did not have to get to the service station with the help of outsiders, which positively affects the balance of defects. So we backed out and mentioned something we only needed to say at the end to keep up the pressure – especially since some colleagues were wary of problems with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission due to its extremely complex design.

Indeed, from the very beginning, many drivers complained about rough starts and impacts in the powertrain during parking maneuvers. However, about a quarter of all 1.4 TSI owners provide upshifts to the € 1825 automatic transmission, which works very well overall. Gears are shifted with lightning speed, whether electronically or by the driver via the steering wheel plates. In addition, a software update after 53 km brought a little more harmony to the DSG's low-speed performance.

In addition to increased comfort, a complex and expensive gearbox must provide lower fuel consumption. VW's claimed standard consumption of 6,0L/100km is two centimeters lower than the six-speed manual version. Unsurprisingly, the average test consumption of 8,7L/100km far exceeded the manufacturer's figures, but with slightly more restrained driving, some drivers managed to get close to them, reporting 6,4L/100km. The high average is of course linked to the driving pleasure of this Golf. On the one hand, due to the mentioned drive dynamics, and on the other hand, thanks to the variable chassis settings, which seem to cope with everything.

Adaptive dampers, combined with light, precise steering, help the compact car achieve the kind of road handling that the first GTI would have done – even with the red grille surround and golf ball shifter. Most often, drivers chose the comfort mode, because most of the road surface irregularities are skillfully filtered, despite the 17-inch wheels. As usual, this pleasure is quite expensive - at the beginning of the test, VW wanted 945 euros for the adaptive suspension. Therefore, they order it relatively rarely, and in their articles, readers practically do not criticize the basic chassis of the model.

in winter

However, their opinions about the heating system vary greatly. Most often, versions with modern high-performance smaller bikes freeze passengers. This situation did not change even after the blower at the driver's feet was properly fixed - the adjustment was made for all Golf VIs as part of regular maintenance.

Not only did the travelers' feet stay cold for a long time, but the entire interior was warming too uncertainly. Reader Johannes Kienatener, owner of the Golf Plus TSI, suggested that “during testing in the Arctic Circle, engineers drive pre-heated cars” and therefore did not report unsatisfactory heating performance. The seat heaters have had to work hard to create even a little coziness in the elegant interior.

Aside from this coldness of character, the Golf handled winter conditions well, although starting on slippery roads with DSG requires a little more flair. Bright xenon headlights cut through the early descending darkness, and the combined cleaning system reliably washed dirt from the headlights of cars in front of the headlights. What about rear view? No matter how dirty the rear window got, precise parking was never a problem. The rear view camera only protrudes under the VW logo during operation, but otherwise remains hidden and protected from dirt - an expensive but smart solution.

An automated parking aid is significantly cheaper. With it, the Golf maneuvers almost alone, adapting to lateral, parallel gaps. The driver participates only by pressing the accelerator and brake pedals, and the reasons for this are related only to legal liability. And this piece of additional equipment did not reveal any weak points throughout the test.

Stock market decline

This can serve as an instructive example for the creators of the expensive navigation system RNS 510. From the outset, its salty price of 2700 euros (including the Dynaudio audio system) was questioned by the time it took to calculate and plan routes. By the end of the test, short-term system failures increased. However, its simple operation via a large touchscreen has received positive reviews. I was even more pleased with the music package delivered by the Danish specialist company Dynaudio, which can be ordered separately for 500 euros. With eight speakers, an eight-channel digital amplifier and a total output of 300 watts, the system has a much more authentic sound than standard speakers.

However, this extra service also does not contribute to the best car price when selling a used car, which is also the case with most other extra offers. At the end of the test, a peer review was conducted, which found obsolescence at 54,4 percent, the second-worst result of any participant in the class. This is not related to the visual impression because the paint looks fresh and the upholstery is not worn or perforated. In addition, all electrical devices work and the cladding is still securely fastened. However, not all Golf owners own such a trouble-free car - in some articles, readers share the anger at loose roof panels around windows and problems with electrical systems.

At first glance, the cost per kilometer of 14,8 cents is much higher than other models that have passed the marathon test. However, this is due to the fact that most of them are diesel. When calculated without fuel, oil and tires, the Golf comes in second in terms of cheap maintenance. In the damage index rating, he even comes out on top. Because, as a VW ad once said, the test Golf kept going, going, going, and never stopped, and besides the turbocharger, only one damaged rear shock was replaced.

text: Jens Drale

a photo: military cartographic service

Evaluation

VW Golf 1.4 TSI Highline

Replacing the guardrail in the compact class - The Golf VI replaces its predecessor as the most reliable member of its segment in the long test of automotive motor and sport. However, the result could have been different, as some written testimonies from less fortunate golf owners show. However, no one complains about the powerful and smoothly running engine, the DSG transmission was also criticized extremely rarely. The reason a test car is fun under almost any circumstance is because of the many, partly expensive extras that can't be paid for when selling a used car.

technical details

VW Golf 1.4 TSI Highline
Working volume-
Power122 k.s. at 5000 rpm
Maximum

torque

-
Acceleration

0-100 km / h

10,2 with
Braking distances

at a speed of 100 km / h

-
full speed200 km / h
Average consumption

fuel in the test

8,7 l
Base Price35 625 EUR in Germany

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