NEW VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

The iconic Vokswagen Golf. A global favourite for 50 years with over 37 million sales, and it’s still VW’s best-seller in many key markets thanks to its quality, practicality and enduring appeal. If the new car pictured looks familiar, that’s because it’s a facelifted version of the Mk8 introduced in 2020 and it delivers a raft of mid-cycle advancements to raise the game and pique buyer interest.

While the family-friendly Tiguan is the model that claims the most Volkswagen sales locally, the refreshed Golf is expected to account for one in four sales next year. Volume will be split across three model lines bookended by Life and GTI. Occupying the middle ground is this $50k R-Line and it’s distinguished by unique bumper and sill treatments and front grille badging. It sits quite low on 18-inch alloys and almost looks sporty enough to pass for a GTI.

Tech highlights include a 12.9in colour touchscreen incorporating sat-nav and phone apps, and Volkswagen’s IDA voice assistant that mostly makes button-pressing unnecessary. Options are bundled into a $5000 Touring package that brings a heads-up windscreen display, Harman/Kardon premium sound (8 speakers, 480 watts output), and sporty ergoActive front seats in Vienna leather with electronic adjustment, heating and even ventilation. You get decent lumbar adjustment, too.
R-Line buyers also get automatic air-con and 30-colour ambient lighting. The Anemone Blue metallic of our test car is a no-cost choice from the revised colour palette, while a five-year service plan will cost $2695.

So there’s plenty to generate a feelgood factor on every journey, even though the 1395cc four-cylinder majors on efficiency and refinement rather than rev-heavy thrills. The motor puts 110kW through the front axle and the adoption of a regular 8-speed auto (replacing a 7-speed DSG) results in smoother take-offs and low-speed running. It may also reduce long-term running costs as scheduled DSG fluid and filter replacements are far from not cheap. Claimed economy is 7.0L/100km – not bad considering this is no mild hybrid and kerb weight exceeds 1300kg. The DSG is retained for the $67,990 GTI where shifting speed is more critical to the driving experience.

More than ever before, the Mk8.5 impresses as an ergonomic triumph and it’s hard to fault the general comfort. We instantly found an ideal driving position and were treated to impeccable driving manners. The blend of agility and refinement is top-drawer, as is the sense of security in a compact hatch that still measures less than 4.3m. Handling clearly benefits from a low centre of gravity, precise steering and adaptive suspension. The only thing we wished for was a fraction more energy. The new Golf hierarchy has established a yawning power chasm between the 110kW R-Line and 195kW GTI, thus encouraging keen drivers to pay a $17k premium and plump for the true driver’s car. Sorely tempting!