Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI 105 hp DSG Advance 5p [Review]

For the past few years the Volkswagen Golf has been considered both by the press and by the general reference signatures and the team to beat. It has earned a name in the market to the point of having better image than by Volkswagen, making the presentation of each new installment into an event.

With the seventh generation already in the market for a few months monopolizing the top sales Europe, Volkswagen has once again proved that if something works do not have to change too. Everything is new, from the platform to the body but yet nothing seems to indicate that there has been a generational change and even many users find aesthetic differences between the old and new. And this is just what I was looking for, keep the essence of the product without previous age.

Conservative? Maybe, but not ugly. I had the opportunity to test drive for seven days and the truth is that I have not found anyone who has described as unattractive. Nor have fallen in love at first sight, but generally meets so many users want: discretion, good looks, sense of strength and a stylish touch.

Enough to keep leader? I think not. True, the Volkswagen Golf already has a name and its resale value is one more argument to consider, but without a complete in every way everything achieved so far would vanish. For this reason each generation of the model has been maintained to the maximum, intended to continue to attract the vast majority of the population. Perhaps offside stop those who want something different, but that already have the Volkswagen Scirocco and Volkswagen Beetle at dealerships.

Though many who think about buying a Golf would dream sports versions (GTI mainly) in Europe indicate that sales are the 1.4 TSI 122 hp on gasoline and 105 hp 1.6 TDI diesel which in greater demand receive. And the latter is precisely what I could try. At least until the arrival of this latest generation, the best-selling Golf in Spain was a 1.6 TDI with 105 hp, five-door body and silver. Quite possibly in this seventh installment repeat the pattern, but gradually DSG boxes are gaining more and more prominence, so to test the transmission has been chosen. Will having all the ingredients to be considered a reference? Keep reading and leave doubts.

Volkswagen Golf Exterior

Continuity, discreet and sober, the Golf is not surprising in the aesthetic. Overall like, but raises passions.

Since its introduction early last September, the Golf has generated a multitude of criticism. For many it is a model too continuo, unimaginative and very innovative in the aesthetic. However this might seem a bad thing for the brand is not. They wanted to just make a line with the model easily identifiable, even between generations may be confused and, if so, they have succeeded.

Seen in profile always keeps the style with a design almost traced between generations doors and hood not excessively long. The fall of the tailgate and front window position also follow the familiar pattern. If you are facing it, evolution is the logic design with larger optical and torn but without breaking the usual schemes.

Maybe it behind, with some optical design staff, to break a bit with the continuity of the strokes but still remains a Golf seen from afar. Other than a product of passion, stealing hearts at first sight or rotate heads, does not mean they have taken care of the details.

Volkswagen Golf Interior

Interior Once inside, something similar happens. German Sobriety feature of the model is still very evident, but conveys a sense of high quality and this is important, strength. It not only has to be done right; also be seen and transmit. At the end of the end user spending hours inside and has to be spacious, comfortable, ergonomic and easy.

With these premises, it is logical that have not drawn a complicated board design winks. Classic day is long, but in the day to day like the logical status of all controls, nice touch them and the multiple holes available to store items.

Instrumentation known pattern holds VAG models, this is, clearly, a lot of information and ease in reading. Depending on the trim level chosen can have a color multifunction display very nice visually. Its handling is done from the steering wheel which, incidentally, are not as intuitive as before.

For presentation and perceived quality, the Golf is still a step ahead of its rivals. Everything inside is meticulously thought.

The center console is slightly angled towards the driver. It is dominated by a color touch screen of 5.8 inches. For easy handling has a sensor that detects when you’re approaching your finger, so that enlarges the size of the buttons. From here you can control various vehicle functions, sound system, etc.. Of the three screens that provides for the Volkswagen Golf, the intermediate unit had tested. There are another five inches baseline levels and another eight for those that include the browser “expensive” they call Discover Pro (from € 1,700). At a lower level are the climate controls, a hole slide and after the shift lever, hand brake and two practical power poses-cans (with lids).

Chosen materials to coat the interior convey quality. Superiors are always soft and pleasant to touch. In the lower parts are hard, but they have a nice feel and does not seem sensitive to scratches. Certain details set it apart from other rivals most generalists, such as the glove and hand-dampening ceiling, the door pockets lined, the multiple hollow glass slide with rubber flooring, lighting all buttons, etc..

Volkswagen Golf Price

Of the three trim levels available on the Volkswagen Golf VII with 105 hp 1.6 TDI engine, Volkswagen gave me a unit with intermediate Advance. It’s probably the most balanced and interesting of the range, very comprehensive and in which there is virtually nothing missing. Standard are dual-zone climate control and speed limiter, rain sensor, automatic lights, parking sensors front and rear, fatigue sensor, 5.8-inch touchscreen, SD card reader, bluetooth and mirror photosensitive interior. There are many options available in both safety and comfort, highlighting the sunroof, cruise control adaptive alert involuntary change lanes or object detection in the blind spot.

The least good thing about Volkswagen Golf Golf is that the base price without considering existing discounts is always high, in this case starts at €24,925 (Golf TDI 105 HP DSG Advance 5p). The tested unit also included alloy wheels of 16 inches (€480), simple xenon headlamps (€710), the bright red paint (€190) and multimedia plug iPhone / iPod (€65), raising the final price up to €26,370. If you receive you to plan finances PIVE and branded this rate can be reduced by €4,000, although still considerably more expensive than its rivals.

Without being the best in terms of space, the Golf is among the best in the segment. It has a loose front seats with good width dimension and more than enough space for the heads. In the subsequent two adults travel to perfection (I have had no problems nor height nor legroom and measure 1.84 meters), while a third will find many points against him, including the high transmission tunnel , the central air vents to steal some space and a seat on-high with fluffy harder. This should not surprise you as is common in the segment.

The boot is good. Boot into a usable 380 liters of capacity that can be expanded up to 1,270 with the rear seat backs folded down. The floor can be adjusted to two heights and can reduce the usual step existing load edge when put in the highest position. By the way, to introduce objects is not necessary to make an on-effort thanks to the loading edge is closer to the ground than usual.

Volkswagen Golf Engine

Motor / engine if there is a well-known element in this unit of VW Golf is your motor / change. The German company remains confident in block 1.6 TDI with 105 hp to achieve a reasonable level of performance with exceptional fuel consumption adjusted. In combination with the dual-clutch sequential transmission is achieved in addition to maximize this mechanic.

The familiar 1.6 TDI CR 105 HP still offers good performance ratio consumption. In combination with the DSG, spreads pretty and rarely will be missed more horses. For the more dynamic, however, offer 2.0 TDI with 150 hp and 184 hp GTD.

With the generation gap of Golf this block is quieter. Cold still sounds like diesel, but do not perceive vibrations in the cabin. Once the situation improves taking temperature but still not referenced in this aspect. Associate DSG, 105 hp give much more of himself than you might think at first. For example to go from 80-120 km/h in “D” needs 8.7 seconds, which is not bad for its power.

Proportionately I am surprised that it easier to gain speed to medium-high rates to below 100 km/h. Going from 120 to 150 km/h only takes a few seconds and the needle will continue to rise steadily to almost 170 km/h speedometer. Also not coming down on the steep slopes and very well kept pace even with four passengers (obviously noticeable, but far less than expected).

DSG operation has improved in almost everything. I say almost all, because now the lever just has strength and can be moved accidentally while running (you could go from “D” to “N” inadvertently). Otherwise it’s fantastic, with rapid transitions between speeds in either automatic or manually (with paddles behind the steering wheel), and a better response in low to facilitate parking maneuvers. The latter was something that occasionally unhinged (complicating the parking lot) and have finally managed to solve. Now is soft and easily titratable.

This mechanism is also associated with the BlueMotion Technology package. Includes automatic retrieval system energy, the Stop & Start and practice driving guide “eco-tips” to reduce consumption. The device start / stop the engine running, but is far from being the best (for me that uses PSA).

Consumption of Volkswagen Golf are contained in all circumstances, but they are no longer referenced. In 120-130 beats highway km / h cruising the average score was 5.8 L/100. In city traffic but jams quite terrible was impossible to overcome the 7.0 L/100 roads while doing normal driving was about 5.0 L/100. If you are looking for the most efficient way such figures can be achieved 4.5 L/100 with relative ease. Ultimately data are good, but not better than the previous Golf VI nor against other rival models. Presumably yes BlueMotion version get a significant reduction in all sorts of ways.

Volkswagen Golf Market

The Volkswagen Golf VII as said earlier is a completely new model even though it does not seem. Thus opens platform (MQB-called view and Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia) and an element which has been criticized among readers: the rigid rear axle. Unlike in the Volkswagen Golf VI, this new generation rear multilink forget those low power units. At first it may seem a step back, but at least as it is set most users will not notice the difference. That rear axle has been combined with a calibrated suspensions rather soft, very comfortable, that let the body swing slightly. This also ensures that the bumps and irregularities pass filtering is exceptional.

More comfortable than effective, noted for its strong footprint and excellent filtering capacity. In sporty driving is not particularly agile. The steering feel has improved, being more precise and communicative than before.

For most dynamic user behavior Volkswagen Golf possibly leave them something cold. There is a car particularly agile, able to link different rotation curves scamper quickly and mountain sections as if by rail. He struggles to recover from steep turns and draws on the strength and sense of security that transmits speed cornering. But of course, it is fair to say that is a suspension Advance “comfort” wheels 16 and a 105 hp diesel engine, a clearly designed for the average user rarely has in mind in pure efficiency.

For those who want a little more pepper, rather than opt for the Sport, and the sport suspension and 17-inch wheels with low profile tires. Will improve the efficiency and lose in comfort. As usual, I made ​​a long trip to check sensations over many kilometers.

On the way between Madrid and Marbella Golf was a fellow traveler sensational for several reasons: a sense of security, quiet ride and comfortable seating. The steering feel (electric) has improved in the turns, being more direct and communicative, but occasionally requires performing more pressure on it to move the wheels (eg those little corrections on the highway).

Already in either city find great surprises. Driving a Golf for this type of road is comfortable especially when associated with DSG, making any deduction less frustrating. The compactness of its body, generally good visibility and parking sensors as standard allowing parking maneuvers are simple.

Could have standard rear camera, but I have not missed you. Finally remark that the lighting xenon headlights “Basis” is good. They have neither directional function are accompanied by LED daytime running lights as before, but the beam and power are good. If you want more technically complex, with everything you said, you should opt for “xenon plus” optional.

Conclusion
Once again the Volkswagen Golf is at an excellent level. It is a balanced car in almost all sections, with spacious, comfortable, with a very neat finish and a full complement and interesting. The problem is that its price is still very high and considered “reference” costing far more than its rivals not strike me as something right. It would be fair to equal price, offer that extra something.

Anyway Golf superiority over its rivals is in many “intangibles”. The feeling when driving or environment that breathes quality are not available to other general (maybe yes in the Astra? Really could not say.’s Something that I can hardly measure). Compared with all of them has a cabin much more attention to detail, everything is very measured and thought to be convenient / comfortable and let the emotional side in the background. Yet it seems that the overall balance and the rational side are keys with which Volkswagen intends to continue winning customers.

The extra outlay required by any Golf may not seem exactly rational, but overall is a very appealing and complete with outstanding resale value and an unblemished image. For my taste comes with homework well done, but still room for imagination. In any case it is the users who have the last word.