Test Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 150 CV Sport, is it still the king?

The three traditional markets at European level have always been the B-segment utility vehicles, the compact segment C and the medium D-segment sedans. With the tremendous rise of SUVs, sedans have plummeted, while the other two remain stable. In Spain, almost a third of total sales are shared between cars in segments B and C. Today we try the one that for many years has been the king of compacts, Volkswagen Golf.

And it is that the Volkswagen Golf has more than four decades being one of the most popular models in the Old Continent since its first generation debuted in the 70s, and it is also one of the best selling cars around the planet since the dawn of the automobile. Traditionally, this German model has never been the best in any of its aspects, but it has been very good in all of them. We are going to check if today this is maintained with this Volkswagen Golf TDI 150 hp and Sport finish. Join us.

It must be said, before starting the Golf test in depth, that the compact segment it is probably the most versatile. C-segment cars usually enjoy quite acceptable qualities, its dimensions and trunk capacity make it suitable both for daily life in the city and for the typical summer vacation trip, ride comfort is good and fuel consumption it is not elevated. Although it is not the best category for any type of use, performs well in all situations. For this, the C segment is one of my favorites.

If something works, don't change it... in a decade and a half?

Design Volkswagen Golf, both inside and outside, has always been quite conservative. He has never stood out for taking risks, for being especially beautiful or for transmitting sensations with his aesthetics. Nevertheless, he has always known how to "fall well" to most of the public. If you ask, few people will tell you that they fall in love with you, but there will also be very few who will tell you that they find it unpleasant.

What is undeniable is the lack of innovation in aesthetics, Well, the bases of our protagonist today, the restyling of the seventh generation, change little with respect to those of the fifth generation, which reached the market back in 2003, 14 years ago. Looking at Volkswagen's point of view, as they say, "if something works fine, don't change it”. It seems that this expression is engraved on fire in the design department of the German firm.

The changes introduced in this mid-life update are brief. Nail slightly different shapes in the front bumper and headlights redesigned front lights that in our case are LED (before they were xenon). As usual, the brand's logo presides over the front and two completely horizontal slats are added and finished in chrome, one at the height of the headlights and another lower, just above the lower air intake.

On the side of this Volkswagen Golf we find the usual design line of the model from the aforementioned fifth generation. The tires, which are optional, are from 18 inches and its design is five double spokes. Personally I think they suit you quite well, as they combine a point of sportsmanship with another of elegance.

Y behind more of the same: horizontal lines and very conservative design. Pilots are also now turning to the LED lighting getting a more worked shape when they are activated. The bumper changes timidly and in the lower part there is a "diffuser" with a set of chrome that pretends to simulate two exhaust outlets, one on each side, but they are just that, a simulation, since they are not real exhausts. The tails are inside the bumper and point towards the ground, being totally camouflaged.

Welcome Digital Cockpit

Having seen the exterior design, I hope you did not think you would find an aesthetic revolution in your cabin. few changes compared to the predecessor model. As always in German cars, and even more so within the Volkswagen Group, we find a horizontal design and with everything quite at hand, in a logical location. We also have various storage compartments where we can empty our pockets and place soft drinks or water bottles; We even have a handy compartment under the driver's seat.

The main improvement of the updated Volkswagen Golf with respect to its predecessor is, without a doubt, the introduction of the digital instrument cluster. It is true, it is not a cheap element and if one day it breaks down we will remember a lot about it, but the versatility when it comes to displaying multiple information, its configuration possibilities, its fluidity and the screen definition They have convinced us, both in this Golf and in other Group models in which we have tried it. The fluidity, touch and handling of the central screen of the dashboard have also been improved.

If we do not doubt that the instrument panel is the best novelty of this restyling, we also do not hesitate to say that the large surface in piano black it's all a mistake. Both in this car, and in all the others on the market that abuse this shiny black plastic, we repeat the same thing. It only looks nice when it is clean – if you manage to clean it completely – but after a few minutes fingerprints and dust appear all over; therefore, it does not seem to us a very practical solution. Also, it tends to scratch easily.

Regarding the qualities of the interiors, we can not make a complaint to Volkswagen. The touch is very good in all the elements and controls that we usually touch the most, be it the steering wheel itself, the screen, the climate controls or the window regulator buttons. In this sense, it transmits a lot of quality. It is true that there are harder pieces, where we usually play less, but the adjustments are still good. Golf is above average in this sense, although some rivals begin to approach.

With note, but without highlighting

The exterior dimensions of the Volkswagen Golf are Meters long 4,26, 1,79 wide and 1,49 high; offering a wheelbase of 2,62 meters. These exterior dimensions place it more or less in the middle of the C segment, so its interior habitability and cargo space will also be approximately in the middle of the table.

We put aside the design and focus on the true practicality of the cabin. In the front seats of the German compact we will not have space problems, accepting extensive adjustments in the seats (manual in this case) and also in the steering wheel, with adjustments in height and depth. In addition, the seating of this unit upholstered in sheepskin they are comfortable and have the appropriate side support for when we decided to increase the pace on winding roads.

If we go to the second row of seats we find some correct side squares. In this sense, four people close to 1,80 in height will be able to travel without being in trouble and without touching their legs on the front seat or their heads on the roof. This does not mean that it is the best in the category, since it is rather in the middle zone.

if we want to travel with a fifth occupant we have it more complicated, because the side seats have a certain shape to try to hold and adapt a little more to the body, leaving the central one higher, harder and narrower. In addition, the transmission tunnel is very large and uncomfortable and difficult for the occupants to place their feet.

As we are seeing in practically all the description of the interior of the Golf, in the trunk it will not be especially wide, but not for that reason small. The trunk cubes a capacity of 380 liters, passing to 1.270 liters if we lower the second row of seats. We have a double-height floor, cubic shapes and a thick loading mouth that is somewhat raised from the floor.

Volkswagen Golf mechanical range

The "normal" range of the Volkswagen Golf offers powers between 110 and 150 CV, and we say normal because there are also GTE (plug-in hybrid), e-Golf (100% electric), GTI, GTD and R variants; although these are the least common.

In the family of engines gasoline we have a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder that develops 110 hp, a 1.4 TSI with 125 hp at full capacity and a 1.5 TSI Evo 150 hp. These last two are four-cylinder and, in addition, the new 1.5 automatically and imperceptibly deactivates two of them in low demand conditions to save fuel. All three mechanics are available with 6-speed manual transmissions and 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearboxes.

La diesel range It is made up of a block 1.6 TDI by 115 CV, as standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox and optionally a 7-speed DSG; and a 2.0 150 TDI with 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DSG as an option. In our case, we tested the 2.0 TDI with the manual gearbox.

2.0 TDI 150 hp engine

This engine is already a Veteran within the Volkswagen brand and also within the group, being used in a good part of VAG models. In addition, it has several variants, testing in this case the 150 hp version. It is a four-cylinder turbodiesel with direct fuel injection by common rail. It has a variable geometry turbo, 16 valves and, of course, an intercooler. It develops a power of 150 hp at 3.500 rpm and a maximum torque of 340 Nm (which is pretty good) between 1.750 and 3.000 turns. Their Homologated mixed consumption is 4,3 l/100 km.

We start

It's time to face the dynamic test and see how the Volkswagen Golf behaves, so here we go. We start cold and the 2-litre TDI engine with 150 hp comes to life. We will find out about it idle and cold the German giant's TDIs are usually made notice in the cabin, although not due to vibrations, but due to noise. Once it takes temperature it softens, although in strong accelerations or at high regimes its sound continues to reach the interior.

Otherwise, it is a engine with certain sporty airs. Below 1.500 rpm it does not have a great thrust, but from there it begins to gain power to transmit explosiveness once it exceeds approximately 2.500 rpm. This is why it seems to us something sporty, because of its kick in that medium regimen that can really surprise more than one.

It reminds us, in this sense, of older supercharged diesel engines, such as the 1.9 TDI of the fourth generation Golf, for example. Of course, we will gain little more than noise if we try to stretch it to regimes close to the red zone of the tachometer. As we said, its "good zone" is the medium regime.

And since we have reached this part of the engine, I will tell you that in addition to its explosiveness it will also stand out for consumption. The Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI with 150 hp makes do with little fuel and it is also not overly sensitive to the type of use. In urban routes and carrying out a totally normal driving we will be around 6 liters, while on motorway trips the legal maximum will be somewhat below 5. At the end of our test, with almost 1.000 km traveled, the Digital Cockpit marked a average consumption of 5,2 l/100 km.

And now we leave its engine aside to talk about how it feels on urban roads, how it handles on roads where curves abound and how it responds to a trip on fast roads. In town it is relatively agile, not as much as the Polo, but it defends well. With the proximity sensors and reversing camera tight maneuvers will be a piece of cake. In addition, and despite its 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires, the suspension does not respond dry before the projections or sewers that we find, filtering correctly.

En twisty roads It is comfortable, stable and transmits good sensations at normal rhythms. Our unit does not have the dynamic chassis control, but if we want to increase the rhythm we can select the Sport mode for more weight in the steering and more lively throttle response. At the limit it is understeer, but to get to that point we will have exceeded the legal margins and also those of logic. The change paths help, because although they are not very short, they are not too long either.

And if we go out expressways we meet a car very suitable for long runs of kilometers comfortably and without spending too much fuel. The suspension filters well the irregularities that we can find in the asphalt and the aerodynamic soundproofing is good, penetrating only and timidly the rolling noise by some big tires (and the engine noise in strong accelerations). I emphasize again that the seats help a lot in this section of comfort.

Conclusions

If you've ever driven a fifth- or sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf, all of the above is sure to be quite familiar. The Golf is a very complete car that, despite not standing out especially in anything, it does everything quite well. That is why he has earned his fame in these more than forty years, and it does not surprise us at all that those of the “town car” don't want to vary your recipe too much.

Now comes the most debatable part of the German model: its price. The Volkswagen Golf is a good product and the feeling of quality that it transmits is above its “generalist” rivals; but its price is also noticeably higher. Is it really worth paying that extra for the most complete car in the category or does it simply live off fame and have they taken the opportunity to inflate its price?

I don't believe one thing or the other, but I must point out that, in terms of qualities it is no longer so superior to its group brothers like the Seat León or the Skoda Octavia; not because it has gotten worse, but because the other two have improved. If you opt for the compact Spanish you can save a few euros with equal equipment (although it does not offer everything that the Golf, the digital instrument panel, for example) or spend the same amount with more equipment. If you bet on the Czech, you will have a very well resolved car with a remarkably greater habitability and trunk.

In the end, it is the buyer who really chooses which weight falls to each side of the scale. As we have already stated, the Golf seems to us to be a very well-rounded product with qualities superior to those of the rest of the general competition in this C segment, but It will depend on you and your preferences if it is worth that extra investment. in favor of this German compact. Anyway, the people speak and it is currently among the five best-selling cars in Spain so far this year.

Equipment Volkswagen Golf

Edition

• Front assist with pedestrian detection
• Leather multifunction steering wheel
• 8-inch Composition Media Radio
• AppConnect
• Mirrors with electric and thermal adjustment
• Body-color mirror caps and door handles
• Front fog lights with turning light function
• "Pre-Crash" system
• daytime running lights
• 3 rear headrests
• 8 speakers
• On-board computer

Advance

• Cruise Control
• rear windows darkened
• Premium multifunction display
• Light and Vision Package
• park-pilot
• Folding mirrors

Sport

• ACC (adaptive cruise control)
• 17 inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Ambient lighting
• sports suspension
• Comfort-sport seats
• Volkswagen Digital Cockpit

Sport R Line

• R-Line package with bumpers and side skirts
• Alloy wheels with exclusive design in 17 inches

Volkswagen Golf Prices

Editor's opinion

Image gallery Volkswagen Golf