The Consumer Reports first drive of (a Euro-spec) Volkswagen Golf leaves nothing to question, just like the car itself. It makes it clear that you can’t really fault it on the mundane stuff (space, practicality, economy or drive), and that American buyers should give it more of a shot than they previously, as this seventh incarnation coming in early 2014 is bigger inside and out, yet lighter than before and very efficient.
The Golf, like most other US-bound VWs, ditches the 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated petrol engine as the range base, replacing it with a new 1.8-liter turbo unit that offers the same power as before (170 hp), yet a bit more torque, most of which is served low in the rev range.
As usual, whenever a car reviewer climbs aboard a modern VW, he or she raves on about how everything is nice to the touch and feels well screwed together – the new Golf is no exception, though I do feel that it’s a step down in perceived solidity from the brick-like Mark V model.
To me it just felt a bit flimsier than before, and the seat no longer goes down as low as it did in the older models thanks to the MQB platform (SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia both have the same issue).
However, Golfs destined for the American market are not going to be imported from Europe, being built instead at the group’s Puebla plant, in Mexico.
By Andrei Nedelea
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