Entry-level Volkswagen Golf offers impressive frugality and standard equipment, but the petrol models make more sense
The cheapest Golf in its most frugal format. Historically, Volkswagen buyers eschew the entry-level S trim for the better-equipped SE, but with the standard kit now including the excellent 5.8-inch multimedia touchscreen, DAB tuner and Bluetooth connectivity, the base model deserves closer inspection.In this case it is powered by the manufacturer’s 1.6-litre diesel engine, itself freshly updated for installation in the new flagship. The oil burner adds a £2.5k premium to what you’d pay for the petrol-driven 1.2-litre TSI, but for that sum you get 74.3mpg potential and CO2 emissions below 99g/km courtesy of stop-start and all the other eco trimmings that were previously reserved for BlueMotion-branded cars.All reasons to be cheerful, but underneath there is a prospective rub: rather than blessing its entire range with the sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, Volkswagen has opted to save some money by fitting its lower-powered Golf’s with a cheaper torsion bar instead.There’s also some box-ticking to do right out of the gate. The S trim comes on 15-inch steel wheels as standard, which is essentially like equipping you car with four discs of sell-on price kryptonite. Business buyers and rental companies will turn the other cheek, but if it’s your own money going on the deposit, we’d recommend you opt for an £825 upgrade to 16-inch alloys, forcing the price for the five-door model just north of £20k.
Entry-level Volkswagen Golf offers impressive frugality and standard equipment, but the petrol models make more sense
The cheapest Golf in its most frugal format. Historically, Volkswagen buyers eschew the entry-level S trim for the better-equipped SE, but with the standard kit now including the excellent 5.8-inch multimedia touchscreen, DAB tuner and Bluetooth connectivity, the base model deserves closer inspection.In this case it is powered by the manufacturer’s 1.6-litre diesel engine, itself freshly updated for installation in the new flagship. The oil burner adds a £2.5k premium to what you’d pay for the petrol-driven 1.2-litre TSI, but for that sum you get 74.3mpg potential and CO2 emissions below 99g/km courtesy of stop-start and all the other eco trimmings that were previously reserved for BlueMotion-branded cars.All reasons to be cheerful, but underneath there is a prospective rub: rather than blessing its entire range with the sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, Volkswagen has opted to save some money by fitting its lower-powered Golf’s with a cheaper torsion bar instead.There’s also some box-ticking to do right out of the gate. The S trim comes on 15-inch steel wheels as standard, which is essentially like equipping you car with four discs of sell-on price kryptonite. Business buyers and rental companies will turn the other cheek, but if it’s your own money going on the deposit, we’d recommend you opt for an £825 upgrade to 16-inch alloys, forcing the price for the five-door model just north of £20k.