‘The Golf dealt very competently with everything I could throw at it in daily use’
a boon beyond measure, because it dispensed with that manic fumbling for keys in various pockets as I approached the car at the end of a busy day. In short, the Golf had all I could need and most of what I would want.
Top of the Golf’s list of desirable features, though, was its impressive fuel economy. The official average WLTP figure is 50.4mpg, and my overall 47.1mpg got tantalisingly close to this. I regularly saw 50mpg on the digital readout on long runs, and even on my daily commute – a journey that has blighted many a diesel-engined car’s economy hopes in the past – I saw figures in the low 40s.
The Golf may not show off or shine brightly in any one particular area, then, but it dealt very competently with everything I could throw at it in daily use.
For example, no other car I can recall has had such a deft and almost unnoticeable operation of its hill start assist function, which holds the car stationary until the moment you let out the clutch to get it rolling, or needed such a light touch on the door handle to initiate that keyless unlocking of the door, or had such an unobtrusive engine stop-start system. It’s equally rare to find a car whose weights for its primary controls – steering, accelerator, brake pedal, clutch and gearshift – and its minor switches and dials were all in such perfect harmony, subconsciously making for an enormous sense of well-being in the driver.
So, now it’s gone and I’m sad, but I shall move on. In the meantime, if you desire a used family car for a good price, I know one I can recommend most highly.
LOGBOOK Volkswagen Golf
1.5 TSI Evo 130 Match
Mileage 5445
List price when new (2019) £21,885
Value on arrival £18,950
Price new with options £24,570
Test economy 47.1mpg
Of cial economy 50.4mpg (WLTP)
Dealer price now £18,365
Private price now £17,405
Trade-in price now £16,100
Running costs (excluding depreciation) Fuel £365