Volkswagen Golf V

Test Model: Volkswagen Golf SE 1.6 FSI 5 door
Reg: AK06 YVC
Mileage: 2470

Official 0-60: 9.7 secs
Official max speed: 118 mph

Before you start to read this review I will have to state that I am a self confessed VAG group fan. And I have loved the new Golf design since the first time I clapped my eyes on it. So after being car-less for a week while I waited for my brand new Seat Leon 2.0 TDI FR (review soon) I was fortunate to rent a new Golf mk V SE 5 door with the 1.6 FSI powerplant.

Having already owned a VW Bora I was already aware of the quality both inside and out of VW cars. And also was in the right position to compare the new golf against the previous shape (well almost). VW have upped the quality a lot in places but also upped the prices in the process. They have also changed the engine line up as well as a complete review of the equipment (not a necessarily good one). The SE model includes semi-climate control (inherited from the Polo) as apposed to the previous shapes climate control, but that maybe due to the introduction of the dual climate control on the higher end models. But you do get cruise control, a CD player, an auto dimming rear view mirror, alarm better trip computer than before and eight air bags, yes eight so in this incarnation safety and comfort is paramount.

Upon getting into the car my first impressions reminded me more of the new Polo, with a very bland looking centre console and quite normal looking three spoke steering wheel and dashboard. However the quality of plastics is of a higher quality than the super mini, with high quality finished soft touch plastics and aluminium effect handles with grey metal affect plastic strips along the door panels and dash. Although the dashboard and associated buttons and dials are of high quality the overall look does not give off the same quality the previous Golf did when you first got into it, or indeed now. Even more disappointing is the far more tacky looking plastics from the steering column/glove-box downwards, with no attempt to create a more high quality finish. The slide out cup holder has now gone, and now there are sculpted holes where the cups go in the rather cheap looking centre console, which I will also add has no arm rest. The seats are comfy and both the steering wheel and drivers seat can be adjusted to set a really good driving position. One major thing I noticed is the increase in rear cabin leg-room, but it has been taken out of the front, there is far less space in the front, opting more for height, the dashboard has shrunk since the previous incarnation but VW have created a lip at the base of the windscreen to give a lengthened appearance, but I was not fooled. Despite VWs attempt to create more space they have changed its personality. The new Golf does not feel like the previous Golf at all, it has evolved greatly and is a lot more fun. You see VW have gave the Golf a more super mini feel but have kept its comfort creating a versatile and practical car.

Now the model I drove was a grey green colour, which had the black plastic strips on, so it was not the best looking Golf V around but it had 15" alloys and to be honest it still looked good. The power-plant was the 1.6 FSI which stands for Fuel Stratified Injection, compared to previous 1.6 engines that VW have kicked out it has gained an extra 8 valves and extra camshaft as well as benefit from the new fuel combustions system hence its FSI name. In brief the FSI system creates more air and fuel in the chamber to raise compression, more power without compromising economy. The engine is a stroke of genius. Other new mechanical additions to Golf V are the electro-mechanical power steering and six speed gearbox. The electro-mechanical steering is very popular on super minis but has been a slow mover with bigger cars. The steering is light at lower speeds but as the car speeds up it tightens up the only problem is that compared to other cars it can become quite off putting and hard work at high speeds. The noise in the cabin is minimal the engine is smooth and responsive it is also very refined and effortless, making this Golf feel far lighter than teh IV. On the outside the engine is a bit noisy but after I investigated under the bonnet I realised it was down to the strange fuel pump/compressor required for the FSI part of the engine.

Down to the nitty gritty. As mentioned above the 1.6 FSI is able, it is a well rounded engine, smooth and refined. The best thing about it is how effortless it feels but the biggest shocker is the amount of torque it churns up at such a low end creating a rocket pull from the start. Yes the car is quick off the mark, and to boot it handles very well indeed. The engine reaches its peak at 6000 rpm with a 6500 red line and it loves the revs even though it is not particularly necessary. The clever six speed gearbox creates excellent power as low as 2800 revs with an energetic burst, right up to 5000, all gears work well in the middle range. It does feel more toy car in comparison to the previous Golf but that is no bad thing, believe me. The ride is soft but the handling is still very nimble and far more capable than before. If I was to pass a negative judgment it would be the lack of actual feel of the road, it is almost like driving a car in a games arcade, although it is just as much fun except you have to put a lot more money in the slot. Talking of money lets break the costs down, this car brand new would have set me back £15700, which really is not bad going in comparison to other cars of this category on the market, but the good thing about the FSI is the economy. Now an average 1.6 would be around 110 bhp and do about 27 mpg to the urban cycle, well the 1.6 FSI boasts 31.7 and guess what it does even after working hard, it is a truly phenomenal power plant.

Overall:

For the money compared to other cars in this category the Golf is a very worthy contender indeed. It has conservative looks with a slightly sporty flair and is a good drive, with a responsive engine and excellent handling. The engine range has a strange variation with an 85ps 1.4 FSI, 115ps 1.6 FSI and a 150ps 2.0 FSI with a 1.9 105ps TDI and 2.0 140ps TDI. New engines in the GT range include a 1.4 170ps TSI (turbo supercharged) and 2.0 TDI also 170ps and of cause we can not forget about the GTI 2.0 turbo FSI 200ps and the R32 3.2 V6 250ps. Obviously the 1.4 FSI is cheapest and I bet very economical, I think it may be a bit underpowered for me but the 1.6 FSI is a good entrant. My choice would probably be the 2.0 TDI 170 GT or the more affordable SE 2.0 TDI 140. So the Golf V has grown up on all sides compared to the previous incarnation, has lost some of its Golf flair in places but has certainly created a new name for its self in others. A fantastic car, reliable, good quality, beautifully screwed together and is certainly more worth its price tag. Economical, and will depreciate nicely but being a VW got to watch the service costs.