VW Golf purchase advice

The VW Golf has also been the bestseller in Germany and Europe for years because it is available in so many variants that almost every potential buyer can find a suitable one. The offer ranges from the sparse station wagon for business trips to the comfortable family model to the extreme top athlete. An overview.

In brief

Wolfsburg lace is not just great in terms of variety, it also has a lot to offer in terms of maturity and sophistication. Even if the workmanship and ambience in the eighth generation no longer convey the charisma of earlier days, every button and every key on the Golf is still in place, the operation is simple and largely well thought-out (now with a few minor drawbacks), the ergonomics excellent and the space available in a class comparison at the upper level. Driving behavior and drives are beyond doubt, at least on the tangible side. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Group's efforts to cut costs, which can be foreseen in places, will result in increased repair costs in the long term.

VW Golf purchase advice - meanwhile no more convertibles

There is not much left of the former diversity - the Golf used to be available as a Jetta with a notchback, as a convertible and as a three-door model. The North German is thus in line with the industry trend - almost all manufacturers are reducing this Complexity of the offer. The 4,28 meter long five-door and the estate variant with 4,63 meters have remained. The one that is still available Golf Sports Van based on the Golf VII, a direct successor is not planned. Despite the rather compact dimensions for today's time, the Golf is one of the more spacious models in the competition, which is also reflected in the sedan's 381-liter trunk. With the rear seat folded down, the Variant even holds up to 1.642 liters and thus puts many a mid-range station wagon on the fur.

Engines of the VW Golf

From diesel and gasoline engines to mild and plug-in hybrids to natural gas engines - the drive range is extremely diverse. The core of the range are the three and four-cylinder petrol engines, which are available with a displacement of 1,0 and 1,5 liters and output values ​​between 66 kW / 90 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS, some with 48-volt support to reduce fuel consumption . The surcharge of around 2.500 euros compared to the standard variants should hardly be possible in practice. However, the mild hybrids are combined with a dual clutch transmission, which is currently not available for the other petrol engines. So if you want automatic, you have to resort to the expensive models.

The plug-in hybrid ("eHybrid") with a system output of 150 kW / 204 PS is of particular interest to those entitled to company cars. The e-car premium of 40.000 euros gross is deducted from the basic price of just under 7.110 euros; company car drivers also benefit from a tax bonus. If you don't have a charging facility but want to do something good for the environment and your wallet, you can use the natural gas model with 110 kW / 150 PS for a good 30.000 euros. But then there is no bonus. For frequent drivers there is a choice of three diesels with 81 kW / 110 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS, while sporty drivers can choose from various GT models with diesel (GTD), gasoline engines (GTI) or plug-in hybrids Select (GTE). The top performance is the Golf R with 235 kW / 320 PS and all-wheel drive.

Different interior variants

While the previous Golf still had the classic equipment structure from “Trendline” to “Highline”, VW has modernized the name. In addition to the nameless basic model, the price-performance-oriented “Life” equipment, the more chic “Style” and the sporty “R-Line” variants are available. You specify the basic character of the model, which can then be adapted to your own taste through packages and individual options. The basic model is already equipped with the most important things for 19.880 euros - unlike many competitors, VW does without an unattractive lure offer on closer inspection. However, the Wolfsburg-based company also restricts the possibility of booking additional extras for the basic model. If you want attractive items such as the matrix LED light, an adaptive chassis or the cruise control, you have to reach for the next higher line, where the upgrade is possible with an additional payment. The price can quickly be driven up to astonishing heights via the long list of options - around 50.000 euros are no problem even below the sporty top models. Of the compact car covers a very wide range of costs and offers something for every budget - also a reason for its high sales figures.

Suggestions

For savers VW Golf (base), 81 kW / 110 PS, gasoline engine, front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission, price from: 22.049 euros.

For families VW Golf Life, 96 kW / 130 PS, gasoline engine, front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission; Optional equipment: rear side airbags (package), price from: 26.553 euros.

For frequent drivers VW Golf Style, 110 kW / 150 PS, diesel, front-wheel drive, seven-speed dual clutch transmission; Optional equipment: head-up display, navigation system, matrix LED light, adaptive chassis, price: from 38.390 euros.

For wallbox users VW Golf Style, 150 kW / 204 PS, plug-in hybrid drive, front-wheel drive, six-speed dual clutch transmission; Special equipment: Type 2 charging cable, price from: 39.950 euros.