30-sec Summary:
What's nice:
- Frugal and fun without compromise.
- Timeless interior works.
- It's the right size.
What's not:
- Soft throttle is asleep. Maybe small diesels are this way.
- Limited option combinations
- Good luck finding one that's what you like; availability limited.
- No metric speedometer (Ok, this is only relevant to me)
The review for those interested:
So last week while I was down back at UVa to say a couple farewells and get a few business items tied up, I took some time out to test drive a VW Golf TDI again, mainly because Charlottesville is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge with many nice roads that test a car's chassis and handling composure. Guess where my X3 has been living the last 3 years?
Why the TDI? After all, aren't young, hip people supposed to gravitate towards the GTI? Well for starters, I place an emphasis on making responsible choices, and the diesel emits fewer COČ and consumes far less fuel. I don't regularly accelerate quickly unless the situation calls for it, like merging or overtaking. Plus, the GTI is a bit too.......shouty. I don't like to attract attention. The salesman at Flow VW was even kind enough to let me take it out alone, but to soothe any worries I said he could come with me.
Things got off to a rocky start about 100 metres from the dealership, when I started off from a steep uphill red light.......and stalled. Boy, I miss the Start-off Assistant from BMWs. Annoyingly, perhaps due to the fact it's a diesel, the throttle response is very soft. Something one can get used to for sure, but coming from the linear yet exciting response in the X3, it's a bit of a sponge.
Hitting the side roads of rural VA though, the rest of the car was superb. Unlike many new BMWs, the steering is well-weighted and communicates. The solid chassis talks to you in the bends and absorbs mid-corner bumps without float. Brakes are strong and easy to modulate, and the car is quite tossable in the corner despite its front-drive layout.
But on the rare chance that you drive on an Interstate in Virginia, the Golf makes a terrific long-distance cruiser. The 2 litre, turbodiesel is super-quiet and smoother than the performance 3 litre diesels from BMW, making it an ideal companion to loaf around at 120-130km/h all day, turning just over 2250rpm at those speeds. But that 4-zylinder has got more than sufficient punch, and a dip into the well of torque will have the speedometer soaring past the speed limit. And without even trying, I averaged just 6,1 l/100km (38 US mpg) on the 30min, 35km test drive which was mostly backroads.
And while enjoying the backroads in Virginia, I felt completely at home and comfortable in the Golf's cockpit. The standard sport seats are just right, with good bolstering and quality cloth upholstery. The view around the car is great, the boot/trunk space easily accommodates one's belongings and a bike and golf clubs. Just the right size, honestly. The controls can be operated by anyone with a modicum of common sense and logic.
Well, except the radio. Now I'm sorry, but touchscreens just don't work. They get smudged, they're distracting, and are more confusing than simple controls. I could forgive VW if it was limited to sat-nav vehicles but the RCD 510 system comes standard in the US. Considering that VW has plenty of non-touchscreen radio systems like the RCD 310, it's just plain irritating that there's a touchscreen for radio functions and presets.
The standard climate controls are better though, although the tactile "feel" could be a bit more substantial from the knobs.
This brings me to the biggest drawback of the Golf TDI: the limited options availability for North America. What prevents me from signing an order right now is the lack of luxury touches as options. No rain sensor or automatic headlights. No headlight washers. No limited-slip diff or DDC. No Park Assistant. Limited colours. I know VW doesn't want to step on the toes of Audi in the US market and therefore limits options, but c'mon, Golf people only want a Golf. They're not cross-shopping with the Jetta or the A3 (which is DSG only). Free up the options list.
But overall, there is a lot to like about the Golf TDI. The standard equipment list is generous, and the price isn't bad at all. VW America has pushed out some bland wallpaper paste recently, but luckily this quality piece ain't going anywhere soon.
The verdict: Jeremy Clarkson once said "The only car anyone ever needs is a Golf". He's talking absolute sense.
Misc. Info: The test drive took place primarily on hilly, rural, two-lane roads with some suburban and highway sections in Albemarle Co, Virginia. Pavement was good; the weather was 14°C and clear with wind.