Volkswagen Golf 92TSI
ER, STOP US IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE…
WHENEVER the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is thrown into a comparo, we have lofty expectations of it. And for good reason; it’s a former COTY champion and happens to win a hell of a lot. Why? Because when it comes to small cars that offer driveability, efficiency, comfort, luxury and quality in near-perfect equilibrium, there’s no vehicle that’s more complete than a Golf. Especially the brilliant base model.
The 92TSI’S performance in this Megatest only serves to reinforce that notion. Sure, its 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four may have been eclipsed by the Astra’s similarly sized engine for smoothness and quietness, but the Volkswagen unit continues to prove exceptionally fuel efficient (averaging 7.7L/100km on this test), and it torques out more than enough performance.
Impressive as the new Astra is, though, it can’t quite match the Teflon-coated slickness and all-round excellence that continues to make the base Golf shine four years after its international launch. It remains the benchmark when it comes to interior finish, overall refinement and packaging efficiency in this segment.
The Volksy’s foibles are few, limited to 15-inch eco-biased tyres that don’t grip as well as they ought, some dual-clutch snatchiness at low speeds and a price tag that’s at the upper end of the spectrum – topped only by the more heavily featured Peugeot.
The base Golf’s 6.5-inch touchscreen isn’t the biggest here and there’s no sat-nav, but it does at least compensate with Apple Carplay/android Auto. It also comes with AEB, as well as a heap of surprise-and-delight features that none of its rivals can defeat. Cue its brilliant height- and length-adjustable front-centre armrest (no one does it better) and its dual-level boot floor that can stow the parcel beneath it.
Golf’s interior may be the ultimate expression of German conservatism, but for tactility and function, it’s incredibly hard to fault. Front seat comfort is excellent for a wide range of body types (even the passenger gets a height-adjustable seat squab), the glasshouse is expansive, the view outside unencumbered by thick pillars, and the slick switchgear is worlds apart from the plasticky buttons and insubstantial stalks found in some other cars here.
And it gets better in the back. Sculpted seatbacks on all three positions of the rear bench mean the Golf can legitimately carry three abreast in roughly equal comfort – provided they’re either kids or relatively slim-hipped adults.
Rear air vents are a rarity at the lower end of the small-car hierarchy, but Volkswagen has prioritised them over a fold-down centre-rear armrest or seatback map pockets. Seems that even VW has to keep costs down somehow, as the neatly stitched vinyl backs of the Golf’s front seats attest.
Finally, there’s the driving experience. The Golf’s effortless, torque-rich drivetrain combines beautifully with its supple, fluid and calm road manners to make this feel like a proper little luxury hatch.
It doesn’t have anything like the tyre grip of most rivals, but the Golf 92TSI has a lovely adjustability to it, utilising its sophisticated rear-end to maintain its balance and adhesion in virtually all situations. And it still feels impervious, like no distance or surface challenge can shake it.
While its rivals are catching it and there’s no doubt the humble Golf is starting to age, it remains the best allrounder of this dozen-strong field. If you aren’t put off by the conservatism of its styling, you’ll love the flair in this car’s engineering. TOK