German Workhorse (VW Golf (1998 on) in general)

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Product:	VW Golf (1998 on) in general
Date:	05/12/00 (352 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sound construction

Disadvantages: Poor acceleration, heavy steering

Family hatchbacks: what are they? They’re cars like you and me buy, that’s what. One-point-fours. One-point-sixes. You get modest comfort, a fair but hardly lavish specification, and…well, that’s about it. The missing factor is fun. Can you enjoy driving these budget-busters, or are they just dull run-arounds for fetching sprogs from school?

VW’s Golf, the car that can claim to have started the hatchback boom, is particularly disappointing funwise. The current 1.4 takes a leisurely 16.4 seconds to reach 60mph from rest, and this modest performance is further blunted by high fourth and fifth gears; an attempt to give the Golf motorway-cruising ability which it hasn’t the power to exploit. The 1.6 is not much better, either.

The engine is generally smooth and quiet, although there was some very downmarket buzzing through the bulkhead when the clutch was depressed, which undermined the traditional solid VW feel. The gearchange itself is easy, but the spongy-feeling brake pedal travels a long way before much happens.

Power steering is a must. Without it, the extra grip of the standard wide 175-section tyres makes the steering much too heavy. Which is a shame, because the chassis is well sorted and has enough grip to be almost sporting

The cockpit is an exercise in simplicity. Superb fit and finish along with doors that shut with a satisfying clunk all help. Indeed, the VW has a real air of quality about its construction, but dismal acceleration, heavy steering and too much road noise in the cabin spoil an otherwise sound package.

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