Volkswagen Golf SV
FIRST UK DRIVE Verdict as three-cylinder petrol MPV hits Britain
Three-cylinder MPV driven on British roads
“With lighter engine at the front, petrol SV feels more agile than diesel”
DIESEL power isn’t for everyone, and Volkswagen is now catering for drivers who want fuel-sipping efficiency with a cleaner petrol engine by offering an expanded Bluemotion range throughout its model line-up. And the family-focused Golf SV is the latest car to benefit from this treatment.
Last year we tested the SV with the Bluemotion diesel engine (Issue 1,364), and despite its lofty efficiency claims, it didn’t really deliver on its eco-car promise. But now you can spec the compact MPV with VW’S 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, which has already impressed us in the Polo supermini and the standard Golf hatchback. Yet the SV is longer, wider, heavier and a full 120mm taller than the regular car. So does that dent its eco credentials?
In short, no. The official economy figure drops from 65.7mpg to 62.8mpg, which isn’t bad. Company car drivers may be put off by the fact the SV sits one tax band higher than the Golf – it emits 105g/km to the regular hatch’s 99g/km – but no petrolpowered versions of the Mercedes B-class or BMW 2 Series Active Tourer can beat that.
Enjoyable
More important, though, is the way the petrol SV Bluemotion delivers away from the lab testing cycle. We found 45mpg easily achievable in mixed town and motorway driving, while over 50mpg is within reach on a longer run, making this car almost a match for the dieselengined version in day-to-day life.
But the petrol SV offers a more enjoyable driving experience, too. Other than the typical pulsing thrum at idle, the three-cylinder engine is very refined and smooth at most speeds, with only a pleasingly off-beat note as the backing track at higher revs.
You don’t get the instant low-end punch that you would in the diesel, although extending the petrol unit into the mid-range is no hardship. The 0-62mph sprint is taken care of in 10.4 seconds (the regular Golf is seven-tenths quicker) so it never feels fast, but you’re rarely left wanting for power. The six-speed gearbox helps; some eco-specials are lumbered with long-geared five-speed units, but the extra cog and closer ratios prevent the Golf from bogging down.
Having the lighter petrol engine at the front also ensures the SV feels more agile than it does with a diesel. Still, it’s composed rather than fun, with a good balance of ride and handling (particularly on the small 16-inch alloy wheels this Bluemotion spec necessitates), accurate steering and a slick gearshift. The low-rolling-resistance tyres bring some road roar, but it’s not intrusive.
It’s a pity that the tall-sided exterior is so bland to look at, but the interior is typically VW. While it plays it safe in terms of design, the quality of materials and switchgear is exceptional for a car in this class.
Even so, the SV isn’t that impressive as an MPV, as it can’t match cheaper rivals such as Citroen’s C4 Picasso for seating flexibility. In many respects it feels like a slightly bigger Golf, but that means most buyers would be better with a proper five-seat people carrier.
There’s no seven seat option, either – for that you’ll need to step up to the pricier VW Touran, which isn’t available with the punchy 1.0-litre. It’s a more versatile choice, however, and still comes with a wide range of capable and economical petrol and diesel engines.