KIA STORMERS
cutting on this new generation Golf. Some is subtle – lack of gas struts for the bonnet and matt rather than body-coloured paint on its underside. But inside there’s quite a lot of hard plastic, and the door bin is lined with felt where you can see it, but not on the edge that you can’t, so oddments will still rattle about.
A wide range of powerplants is available and there’s a pure electric version on its way – the upcoming VW ID.3.
There are a couple of 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder, and a twolitre diesel unit with a choice of two power outputs. The petrolpowered cars are available with mild hybrid and it’s one of these that we’re testing.
Fitted to our £26,390 Life-spec test car is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder producing 148bhp, via a seven-speed
DSG auto gearbox. Four-wheel drive is available as an option on certain Golf models.
It’s an excellent powertrain, especially if you’ve been put off from buying a diesel car and don’t have off-street parking which makes owning a plug-in hybrid impractical. The eTSI powertrain
Good to drive, brisk and practical. Expect a good discount.
Big warranty, good value, simple.
Attractive styling and good value for money. As with the Ford, expect a healthy discount. (as it’s badged) features a belt driven 48v starter/generator unit that enables brake energy regeneration, a more efficient start/ stop function and also adds extra torque to aid with acceleration.
The 1.5-litre engine also features cylinder de-activation which knocks the motor down to two cylinders under light load.
These tricks to improve economy really work too, as we easily managed mid 50s to the gallon during our test. But that said, the diesel will better those numbers almost regardless of how you drive it.
Quality is still top notch but you do, especially in the belt-tightening times that we’re about to face, have to wonder how much technology and soft furnishings you really need in your life.
Should Mk7 owners go for an upgrade? If you’re not swayed by digital screens and features like onboard wi-fi, probably not.
The new Golf is a little bit more precise in its handling but then since 1974 it’s always offered safe and dependable behaviour.
Other cars might be more fun to drive, but few can beat the Golf ’s all-round appeal.
Here’s yet another special edition Lotus sports car. This one is the Exige Sport 410 20th anniversary and it celebrates two decades of the Exige model which the Norfolk company launched in 2000.
The 20th birthday car is available in a range of retro colours that were available on the Mk1 and include Chrome Orange, Laser Blue and Calypso Red.
For £79,900 you get a specification that includes forged alloy wheels and Alcantara steering wheel.
The eTSI is excellent if you’ve been put off diesel and can’t use plug-in hybrid
Kia has expanded the options on its range of e-Niro electric cars – starting with a lower capacity 39kWh battery which gives a range of up to 180 miles and costs £29,595 (after the plug-in car grant).
This new entry-level model is the ‘2’, and the ranges above it, both of which use a 64kWh battery and have a range of up to 282 miles, are the 3 and 4+. The latter comes with goodies such as a tilting sunroof but, more importantly, a 11kW three-phase AC charger. The 4+ will cost you £36,145.