2004 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Those who need a sensible car, yet who also enjoy spirited driving will find the Volkswagen Golf does a good job of meeting these apparently conflicting needs.Even by Australian standards the Golf has grown in size with each new model, going from small to small-medium and finally to medium in overall dimensions. This is partly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection though there is some more interior room as well.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs. In Europe, the VW Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it's not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Golf is chiefly sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A 'Golf' four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space in the sedans is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult with the smallish boot lid sitting very low at the rear. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn't too bad. Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it's rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The mk6 Golf R, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R - somehow it wouldn't have been right to replace the R32 with an R20.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004. However, in those early days the dual-clutch DSG was often slow and awkward at very slow speeds, making it a pain in tight parking situations. Later DSGs have been improved, but still aren't as good as conventional automatic transmissions.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will cost you a lot more.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust isn't common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. Have the car inspected professionally, or find another one. Older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops and rear parcel shelves.Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it's cold. Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn't crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.CAR BUYING TIPAn area to check early in the piece is the top of the rear bumper. Careless owners may have rested luggage on it while loading the car. And careless luggage packers may also be careless drivers, even careless about having servicing carried out according to schedule. 

Volkswagen set the bar high with last year's seventh-generation Golf, combining a brilliant chassis, ergonomic efficiency and responsive turbo engines.

NEW - If the BMW 3-Series was once the way of buying European prestige without breaking the bank that particular baton has been passed to the VW Golf.The Golf has become a popular choice for buyers wanting something more than the Japanese and Koreans can deliver, particularly in terms of driving excitement. Like all Europeans the Golf has exceptional road manners, it feels safe and solid with responsive steering, agile handling and comfortable ride.Available as a five-door hatch it's a fine all-rounder for anyone living within the confines of our traffic-choked cities. Its external dimensions are compact, but there's still decent room inside for four.Five is a squeeze, but then few of us ever drive with a full complement of passengers on board anyway. Behind the seating lies a good-sized boot for carrying whatever it is we need to haul around with us.There' s a good choice of engines, both petrol and diesel, including an economical 1.6-litre petrol four, a spirited 2.0-litre petrol four, and 1.9 and 2.0-litre turbo-diesels. It needs to be noted that the petrol engines require premium unleaded and there's no shortcutting that requirement without risking serious internal damage to the engine.VW also offered a wide choice of transmissions, with five and six-  speed manuals, a six-speed auto with tiptronic shifting, and a six-  speed DSG auto-shifting manual. With a five-star rating from ANCAP the Golf is right on the mark for safety, boasting a full complement of front, head and side airbags, with ABS braking, emergency brake assist and traction control.NOWVW enjoyed an extended honeymoon period after the company re-entered the market in its own right a few years ago. I t was an affordable way of buying European prestige, but the love affair has struck trouble in more recent times.The German carmaker has invested heavily in technology and its cars bristle with the latest engineering advancements, but it seems its advanced technology focus has brought with it a few issues that have caused owners considerable angst.The DSG gearbox, a wonderful gearbox when it's working properly, has been one subject of regular complaint here at Carsguide and owners have regularly complained that they have had difficulty in getting their issues resolved.Complaints about the DSG gearbox have typically been rough shifting, erratic shifting where it seems the wrong gear has been chosen, selecting neutral at the most inappropriate times. We have been given a copy of a technical bulletin issued to dealers advising them of a problem with oil fouling the wiring loom controlling the gearbox, which appears to be the cause of the shifting problems.When driving a DSG-equipped Golf it's vital that you conduct a thorough assessment of the gearbox looking for the above problems. There have been reports also of engine issues with owners having to replace engines at relatively low kilometers. VW claims the failures were due to owners using the incorrect fuel, but the jury is still out on that being the real cause.When considering a VW it's important to note that you must run the fuel specified by VW and that could mean higher running costs. Cutting corners could lead to even greater expense down the road.Window regulators have been known to fail, so make sure you check the operation of all windows, front and back. While the failures have been spectacular the build quality of the Golf is generally good.Before buying a used Golf find a good independent service specialist and you'll save heaps on servicing and repairs. It's also worth having a VW specialist go over any potential purchase to give you an independent report of the condition of the car.SMITHY SAYSA good driving car let down by some fairly serious mechanical flaws. Must be approached with caution, can be very expensive when things go wrong.VW Golf 2004-2009Price new: $27,990 to $35,290Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 75 kW/148 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 110 kW/200 Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 77kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 103 kW/320 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 6-speed DSG, 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 8.2 L/100 km (1.6), 8.5 L/100 km (2.0), 5.8 L/100 km (1.9 TD), 5.7 L/100 km (2.0 TD)Body: 5-door hatchVariants: Comfortline, Trendline, SportlineSafety: 5-star ANCAP

The soaring price of petrol in the past year or so has had motorists looking at every possible alternative, including diesels that might save them a few bucks at the pump. If LPG has become the champion of used car buyers, the diesel has become one of the most popular alternatives for new car buyers.Increased sales of new diesels, like the VW Golf TDi, in recent times means that there are more used diesels coming on the market. The diesel is now a used buy worth considering by anyone wanting to save on their fuel bills.MODEL WATCHDiesel sales have soared in Europe in recent years as motorists have been slugged with higher fuel prices. The ugly phenomenon has recently reached Australian shores as local motorists have copped a similar whack at the pump. VW is a leader in diesel engine technology in Europe, boasting a range of diesel engines right across its entire model range from humble Polo to the prestigious Passat. In the middle of the range sits the ever-popular Golf, and it’s the Golf that VW has used to power its push into the growing oil-burner market here.The company hit the ground running in 2004 with the release of the 1.9 TDi in two trim levels — the Comfortline and the Trendline — and a 2.0-litre TDi Comfortline. Outwardly the diesel Golfs look like any other Generation 5 Golf. It’s only the TDi badges that distinguish them from their petrol cousins.Modern diesels shouldn’t be confused with the oil-burners of old, which were noisy, smelly, usually followed by clouds of thick black smoke, and generally holding up the traffic. The only time they came into their own was when they rattled past a servo as their petrol-powered cousins stopped to replenish their tanks.Today’s diesels are quiet, don’t smell or belch out clouds of black smoke, and aren’t left standing when the lights go green. Even better news is that they are still economical. The 1.9-litre TDi engine was a single overhead camshaft four cylinder turbo diesel that delivered 77 kW and 250 Nm — compare that to 75 kW and 148 Nm for the 1.6-litre petrol Golf model — while the 2.0-litre TDi was a more modern double overhead camshaft four cylinder turbo diesel that punched out 103 kW and 320 Nm at its peak. Compare the latter to the 2.0-litre FSi engine VW also offered that gave 110 kW and 200 Nm.The key to the diesel performance, and achieving the best fuel economy, is the massive torque that it offers. Drive to make best use of the torque and you will not only realise its potential to save fuel, but you will also realise its performance potential. Both diesels were available with VW’s DSG six-speed auto and a six-speed manual gearbox.On the road the diesel’s low-end and mid-range performance was easily able to account for its petrol equivalent. It was really only the petrol car’s top-end performance that out-gunned the diesel.IN THE SHOPVW build quality is generally high, as high as any other brand and higher than some. That said they can still have issues with build quality, but with VW handling the local distribution now those problems that do occur seem to be handled more effectively than they might have been in the past. Make sure your used car choice has a good service record with regular oil changes.IN A CRASHThe diesel Golfs have the same array of airbags as their petrol cousins so the crash rating is the same. An agile chassis and powerful braking provide plenty of active safety in avoiding a crash.AT THE PUMPThe diesel Golf will return fuel economy numbers in the region of 6.0 L/100 km. That’s about 20 per cent less than you would see from an equivalent petrol engine. The fuel economy equation gets a little tricky here because diesel is usually a little more expensive than regular unleaded, but the gap varies so it’s a moving target. At the time of writing diesel was three cents per litre more expensive than regular unleaded, but 10 cents per litre less expensive than 98-octane premium unleaded.Compared to a car running on regular unleaded it would take almost 90,000 km before the lower economy of the diesel would bring you to a break even point, but if you compare it to a car running on 98-octane unleaded you would gobble up the diesel’s average purchase premium in around 65,000 km.OWNERS’ VIEWSKeith Sanders and his wife tested the diesel Golf soon after its release and were quickly convinced it was for them. They chose the 1.9 TDi Comfortline with DSG gearbox because it was a willing performer and adequate for their needs. Now, after four years and 62,000 km they say it was a great choice. They have had a few issues with a faulty cruise control switch and a water leak through the windscreen, which have been fixed under warranty, but overall they’re happy with the diesel Golf and would buy another one without hesitation. Typically they get 6.3 L/100 km in average daily driving and low to mid-fives on the highway.Roland Nicholson drives a 12-month-old Golf TDi GT Sport with DSG, leather and sunroof. He was looking for better fuel economy when he bought it, but still wanted to have a sporty feel. He says it’s satisfying to see the trip computer showing 4.9 L/100 km on the freeway, and still have the quick acceleration when needed. The downsides to owning a diesel, he says, are the high price of diesel fuel and the lack of decent, clean refueling facilities at some service stations. His only complaint is that off the line the diesel/DSG combination is a bit hesitant and jerky. The vehicle itself is excellent, he says, the finish is very good and things like heated front seats are a great option.Nick Smithwick bought a 2006 2.0-litre TDi Comfortline brand new and loves it. He acknowledges that diesel is more expensive than petrol, but says 85 per cent of his driving is in traffic and around the city and he still gets over 850 km to the tank. On the highway he gets more than 1100 km.Stephanie Harris owns a 2007 2.0-litre TDi Golf and says its fuel economy is really good. She is not happy with the price of diesel, but on a trip she can get between 1100 and 1200 km and 900 km around town. She adds that it is very comfortable and has plenty of get up and go when needed.LOOK FOR• Good Golf build quality• Fuel economy savings• Higher purchase price a downer• Good performance• Ace drivability• Dirty refueling facilitiesTHE BOTTOM LINE• Diesels drive and perform well, but their higher purchase price has to be covered before any economy benefits can be enjoyed and that can rule them out.RATING• 85/100

That responsibility now goes to the Golf, the biggest-selling VW by a country mile.The small hatch is so popular that other carmakers have attacked it from all sides.Euro rivals include the Holden Astra, Ford Focus and Peugeot 307, and Japan has chipped in with the Mazda3 and the cheaper Toyota Corolla.So VW has returned fire with the fifth-generation Golf.The Golf V five-door has regained leadership of the small-car class in Europe and VW is hoping it will sell strongly here.Diesel power has been brought back to the Golf range after eight years on the bench.VW is introducing two diesel engines for the Golf, hoping buyers will be prepared to pay a bit extra for the improved mileage given the current cost of petrol.The 1.9-litre turbo diesel model is available from $29,990 and generates 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque.There is also the new hi-tech 2.0-litre turbo diesel model available from $32,490.This engine has 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque and 2.0-litre TDi.Both diesels are available with a six-speed manual or six-speed direct-shift tiptronic automatic gearbox (DSG).Though the diesel models will constitute only about 7 per cent of the predicted 7500 Golf sales next year, VW is hoping that figure may increase in future.If you don't like diesel, the Golf is available with a regular 75kW 1.6-litre engine with a five-speed manual from $25,490.This is the most popular model and accounts for more than half Golf sales.If you have extra cash, a 110kW 2.0-litre FSi (fuel-stratified injection) is available from $32,990 with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic.Though VW is not prepared to talk about it, the Golf's "kissing cousin" relationship with the prestige Audi A3 makes it a very attractive proposition in terms of price. They share both petrol engines, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel and its optional DSG automatic, a large percentage of the base mechanicals, suspension and the hydro-electric power steering.With six airbags, new body-shell engineering and a revised chassis-welding procedure that produces what VW claims is an 80 per cent body stiffness, the Golf has topped the tough Euro NCAP testing program.The 12-star total – five for passenger safety, four for child occupant safety and three for pedestrian safety – is claimed by VW to be the highest so far recorded by any car in any class.ON THE ROADTHE Golf has always been a bit of a Corolla – doing the job capably, but not an outstanding drive.The latest model, however, is much more fun to drive and more comfortable to boot. VW went out of its way to make this an agile machine and it shows.The new all-round independent suspension is a treat and combined with the stiffer body produces a very compliant ride. The car corners well and is steady over bumps.The steering is crisp and communicative.The test car was the 1.9-litre diesel model with the Comfortline trim pack.We didn't know what to expect when we slid into it, but were worried that driving such a small oil-burner would be a real chore. We quickly realised the concern was baseless.The engine, combined with the six-speed manual, offers more than enough go.You have to push it along and work the gears, but the off-the-line urge was impressive.The engine is noisy and can sound a bit truck-like at low speed or when being worked hard, but is quiet at highway speeds.It works best on undulating roads where the torque allows you to speed up or slow down without changing gears often.Fuel consumption was impressive – 5 to 7 litres/100km on a run that included some highway and plenty of twisty turns.The Golf's interior is sensible and everything is in the right place. It is not going to win any style awards, but everything is easy to use.The plastics are good for the price range and the cupholders and storage areas are practical.The steering wheel can be adjusted up-down and forward-back.Boot space is respectable, but not huge. There is a space-saver tyre rather than the full-size spare that should be standard.The test car had satellite navigation ($2990), heated leather seats ($3290) and a sunroof ($1890).There is no doubt the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is a better engine, but the 1.9-litre is $2500 cheaper, which matters in this market.The new Golf has moved forward from the old boxy shape to a more chic, rounded style. Not a wild shape, but smart enough to please.THE BOTTOM LINEA COMPETENT and stylish small car that mixes driving enjoyment with practicality.

Also, Australian diesel fuel has been of poor quality so the possibility of engine problems down the track did not engender confidence.Times have changed – and along with them, improvements in fuel quality and great leaps forward in diesel engine technology. So companies are bringing diesels back to Australia – and Australians are slowly responding.Among the first is Volkswagen with this week's test car, the 1.9 litre turbo diesel. There is also a two-litre turbo diesel offered in this bigger and more stylish fifth generation Golf line-up.Golf considers itself a premium small car so it is not the cheapest in its sector but it is only one of few offering diesel engines and the price brings with it Volkswagen's acclaimed quality and a comprehensive equipment list.This latest Golf has a more stylish look than the previous model, reasonable boot space and more head and legroom for rear seat passengers than before.Included in the price is climate control aircondition- ing, 60/40 split folding rear seats and power operations. Safety features include front and curtain airbags as well as traction control and anti-lock braking system with brake assist and electronic brake pressure distribution. There is also a feature that leaves the headlamps on for a set time to illuminate the walkway after dark.Pricing for the 1.9 litre TDi starts at $27,990 for the Trendline or there is an upper-specked Comfortline for $29,990. From a value-for-money perspective, Comfortline's extra $2000 is worth it, adding such features as cruise control, alloy wheels, leather-wrap steering wheel with audio controls, leather gear stick knob, rain sensor wipers, velour seats and trip computer.Front seats get height adjustment with the driver also getting lumbar adjustment.The four-cylinder 1.9-litre turbo diesel is not the most sophisticated diesel on the market but it does the job. Power develops to 77kW at 4000 rpm, which is not sparkling but more importantly, torque (pulling power) peaks at a handy 250Nmm at a low 1900rpm and has the car pulling strongly away from a standing start without having `plant' the right foot.In fact, revving the engine hard to get performance is a waste of fuel and energy. It will pull away nicely even if you are moving slowly and need to overtake, will continue pulling up hills in low gears and will travel comfortably around town in fifth gear.Engine clatter, that much despised characteristic of older diesels is audible in this 1.9 litre but not overwhelmingly so and disappears as the engine warms up. The old problems with turbo lag, the time needed for the small compressor to speed up and boost power after the driver touches the accelerator pedal, is relegated to the past.Mated to the engine is a highly efficient and smooth changing six speed manual gearbox. There is the option ($2300) of Volkswagen's six-speed DSG automatic tiptronic-styled transmission that has the next gear already pre-selected before being engaged so that the change is even smoother and quicker.Despite the price of diesel being so high in this country, the car is economical at the bowser. We were getting a miserly 6.3L/100km in a mix of freeway and suburban driving from the 55-litre fuel tank.One of the reasons for the popularity of diesel engines in Europe where about half new car sales are diesels, is the low price of fuel which is government subsidised or not taxed as highly as it is here.Volkswagen says the two-litre diesel (81kW and 320Nm) mated to the manual gearbox gets 5.7L/100km, which again, is great going for an engine of its size.Driving around town is a comfortable and easy affair in the Golf. Although it is slightly bigger than the previous model and a little heavier, it remains nimble and agile and if you are in the mood, is happy to take you on a sporty drive in the country.

Reet petite and oh so neat, the Volkswagen Golf is the car that opened the hatch on a revolution – 30 years, 23 million vehicles and a lot of grateful city folk relieved to know their wagons can slip into the last sliver left in the carpark.The biggest seller in its class in Europe, with 25 per cent of the market, the Golf is already at the top of the charts. But can it do the same for Stevie Wonder CD sales?The new Golf V was unveiled in Sydney to the endearing bop of Wonder's 1976 hit Isn't She Lovely? which, when it lights up our TV screens, is likely to provoke a stampede for CDs if not Golfs.Glossy as a sugar-lolly and just as curvy, the Golf V is lovely indeed. But how else can one tag a car that has different virtues for different people?Hence the problem faced by VW Australia when pondering how to promote its bright new offering.According to managing director Peter Nochar, Australia's median Golf buyer is 39, tertiary-educated and living in the inner suburbs.But there are lots of Golf drivers in their early 20s zipping to their first jobs and another big group in late middle age. It seems you can't woo one without irritating the other, but "lovely" is hard to argue with.Externally, the Golf V looks much like its 1997 predecessor.It's what's inside that matters. For such a compact car, it has a surprisingly large boot – 350 litres, an increase of 20 from the Golf IV.Passengers in the rear get an extra 5.2cm of leg room, 2.4cm of headroom and a read-out, on the stereo screen, of the radio station the driver is inflicting on them.The most radical update to this reliable car, though, is that you can buy a diesel version.As the price of petrol settles above $1 a litre, VW expects to sell about 40 Golfs a month – 6 per cent of its projected Australian sales of 7500 in 2005 – with the 1.9-litre two-valve and 2.0-litre four-valve turbo-diesel engines."Diesel has a reputation for being dirty and smelly and something to run trucks on," Nocher says."What we have to do is prove that diesel can be a clean option. Our diesel engine will give you 1000km to the tank, or 5.5 litres per 100km."The TDIs have been purring since 1995 in Europe, where petrol costs well over $2.40 a litre.Golf's petrol engines are the 75kW 1.6-litre and the 110kW, direct-injection, 2.0-litre unit. There is a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, both with six speeds.Which, to a road-plodder such as I, is like having a stereo that cranks up to 11. Nimble on the autobahns, no doubt, but would our speed cameras smile on them?On the roadCROWDED city streets and narrow, winding roads are where the Golf V comes into its own.The VW handles the constant stops and starts of the Sydney suburbs, during the press launch, with grace. However, the real test of poise – the car's and mine – is the Bulli Rd.This twister down the Illawarra Scarp towards Wollongong was once the worst death-dive in Australia. How fares the Golf V?Agile as a mountain goat, it cruises those dangerous curves with ease.Sadly the drive program does not give the Golf more opportunities to shine.The steering feels particularly crisp and communicative and the 2.0-litre FSi engine is lively.The 1.9-litre diesel gives an initial impression of being a little coarse, but noise intrusion on the highway is minimal.Not surprisingly, the Golf V has come up trumps in the Euro NCAP ratings, which pronounced it the safest car tested.A maximum five stars for front and side impact tests, plus three stars for pedestrian safety, makes this a trustworthy newcomer, and lovely indeed.

Volkswagen had no such qualms at the launch of the fifth-generation Golf in the NSW southern highlands last weekend.And that is because when the two are beside each other, the old model looks positively Spartan and ugly.The old Golf is angular and fussy. It's new kin is cute. Or, as VW would have you believe, "lovely".VW is advertising the new generation Golf by using the 1970s Stevie Wonder hit, Isn't She Lovely?. And it is.Styling is more rounded, smoother and simpler than its bland predecessor.It has cuter and bigger seal-pup-eye headlights and taillights, flared wheel arches, a higher rear door sill, a discrete hatch spoiler lip, blinkers integrated into the door mirrors and a VW emblem on the hatch which doubles as the handle, making the rear less cluttered.Golf V comes in four engine variations, including the 1.6-litre petrol powerplant from the previous generation in the base model.A powerful 110kW two-litre fuel stratified injection (FSI) high-octane petrol engine from the Audi A3 also has been added as well as two diesel variants -- also from the A3 line.The 1.9-litre turbo direct-injection diesel pumps out 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque, while the two-litre TDI yields 103kW and a massive 320Nm starting at just 1750 revs.That is the sort of pulling power you would expect from an Australian-made, family, six-cylinder car.On the road, this torque thump translates into safe passing and red-light derby victories. But you will pay an extra $4500 for the privilege.The 1.6-litre has a five-speed manual or auto/tiptronic while the two-litre FSI has a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic/tiptronic for $2300 extra.The diesels have a direct-shift auto gearbox which uses two-weighted clutches, operating alternate gears for swift and near-seamless changes.All auto boxes have a normal or sport mode, which is a little hesitant. If you really want rapid response, use the tiptronic selector.The 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel are available in the base Trendline and mid-range Comfortline trims, the two-litre diesel only comes in Comfortline and the two-litre FSI comes in mid-spec and top-end Sportline.Most include cruise control, tripmeter and traction control, and there are many options, including a high-quality sound system, leather seats, sunroof, satellite navigation and metallic paint.The instrument panel is straight out of the new range of Audis and looks top-notch with its classy blue and red illumination.Its handling behaviour is typical of a sporty, front-wheel drive. There is manageable understeer with little body roll and adequate damping.Brakes have anti-skid control and EBD which equalises the pressure across all four discs, but despite hydraulic brake assist, they require a fair old push to yield good results.Road noise is low for this size of car.Drivers will appreciate the down-sized steering wheel, pin-sharp electromagnetic speed-sensitive steering, adjustable seat and two-way steering wheel adjustment.Rear passengers will appreciate the head room, thanks to the straight roof line, the ample legroom and the generous seat squab that comes out all the way to the back of your knees.But few country motorists will appreciate the lack of a full-sized spare.The 125mm 80km/h-limited space-saver tyre allows a flat, boot floor, but leaves no room to put the flat, 235mm tyre when it is taken off the car.Unfortunately, this Golf retains that rear three-quarters blind spot care of the combined C and D pillars and lack of a window between them.And the rear blinker can be difficult to see when the brake lights are on, as it is small and surrounded by huge stop lights which tend to 'drown it out'.The car achieved record 12-star ratings in the Euro NCAP crash tests, thanks to better intrusion design, a 30 per cent stiffer chassis and six airbags standard across the range.

This hot three-door hatchback, a latecomer from Germany, is forever encouraging a quick blat, forever suggesting there is more to motoring than A to B and back for a latte at barista John's hole-in-the-wall.Bored on a quiet piece of country road? Drop back through the six-speed gearbox and run the V6 through to the redline. At least in second, elsewhere the redline may see illegal speeds.Bored on the milk run to the shops? Drop the windows and hold a lower gear for maximum aural effects.Bored on a Sunday morning? Roll the Golf machine out to the nearest bit of mountain road and allow the all-wheel drive chassis to impress.Maybe the Golf R32 is ultimately not as engaging as Alfa Romeo's 147GTA. And maybe the new generation Golf at the end of 2004 will date this hot machine's style. Maybe $63,000 is a bit too much for a small, three-door machine with limited accommodation.Then again, maybe we should all be driving fridges.THE Volkswagen Golf R32 lives up to most of the hype as the fastest, most powerful Golf on the planet.The 3.2 litre V6 pulls out 177kW at 6250rpm and loves going there. The twin-pipe exhaust note is tuned for enthusiasm, on a cruising throttle there is always this insistent, but sweet, drone drifiting in from behind the driver.VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system brings out the best in the chassis. Unlike front-drive Golfs with too much happening up front, the all-drive here turns the Golf into a pleasant, very capable, drive car.For all the go, the VW is big on understated show.The fans recognise it, many give it nary a second glance, handy in some situations.It sits low with front and rear spoilers and sideskirts, the exterior menace is left to healthy air intakes, the twin pipes and those so pretty 18-inch alloys hunched up in the flared guards.There is a timeless sports style and just that discreet hint of muscle to the bodywork.Inside is dark and German.The seats are leather and Konig up front with plenty of support and adjustment. There are some bits of brushed aluminium here and there, airconditioning, CD player and stereo plus trip computer, cruise control and a meaty steering wheel for maximum grip.There is little room in the back seat and some luggage space out back. It would do for a week for two.The joy, the reasoning is in the driving for this R32 Golf has a decent degree of performance, from that willing engine to a compliant but balanced chassis happy to cope with hamfisted efforts to turn 320Nm of torque into go-forward motion.It moves off the line without fuss, jumps from standstill to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds according to the factory. Top speed is an autobahn respectable 247km/h.All the way through the gears the V6 is quick and flexible. From 100km/h in sixth gear, with around 2500rpm on board, the Golf accelerates with little drama; from 10km/h in first it rockets and then on and on, all the while with that sweet exhaust note.Then there is the attraction of attacking corners, backed by all-wheel-drive, electronic differential lock, traction and stability controls.The R32 can be tipped in with decent entry speed, little hint of understeer, and rocketed out with the right gear.Perhaps that rack and pinion steering is slightly slower than the Alfa 147GTA but the upside is less front wheel fight and a softer approach where the Italian may bump harder.For the biggest surprise with this tied-down Golf is the compliant ride.For all its race-bred grip and handling there is a decent compromise on ride quality, the VW is smooth (if not always whisper quiet) over rough and nasty pieces of bitumen although it will still bump-crash into the potholes.This compliance helps keep the Golf's wheels on the deck and helps keep front wheel fight at bay.It is a controlled and composed package, always willing and hard to upset.It takes some effort to unsettle the package although the short wheelbase here and there leads to some pitching.The Golf is perhaps not as involving as Alfa's 147 GTA but it is a very credible street fighter, with a more relaxed approach than its rival.Latecomer or not, the Volkswagen Golf R32 is a little (and expensive) bundle of motoring joy.

The other is Alfa Romeo's 147 GTA that we also reviewed recently.Both cars are similarly specified with big, powerful 3.2-litre V6 engines that develop mind boggling amounts of power for a hatch.Apart from styling the real thing that separates the pair, in terms of performance, particularly in the wet, is the VW's all-wheel drive system.The front-wheel drive Alfa suffers badly from torque steer. The R32 is a low key kind of car, with dual exhaust outlets the big giveaway there is something more going on under the bonnet.Then there's the badges, big wheels and painted brake calipers plus the lower, more aggressive front air dam.The low-key approach continues inside, with high back, high-sided leather clad sports buckets, brushed aluminium highlights and more badging.The doors (it's a two-door hatch) are large and heavy and require room to open fully. Getting in and out can be a chore, particularly sliding into the driver's seat, between the wheel and high-sided hip huggers.The driver's seat has height adjustment but the seat base cannot be tipped backwards while the wheel has both reach and height adjustment.A lift and slide mechanism provides easy access to the rear seats and is one of the better solutions on the market.Maximum power from the race tuned 3.2-litre V6 is a staggering 177kW at 6250rpm and peak torque of 320Nm is delivered between 2800 and 3200rpm.0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.6 seconds and top speed is 247km/h. It's still not as fast off the line as a WRX, nor for that matter as the Alfa at 6.3 seconds – but that's not the point. This, VWphiles – is a Golf with drive!The R32 weighs in at 1477kg, 117kg heavier than the Alfa – that might explain the slower acceleration figures.The note from the twin exhausts is worth bottling.The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is built around a a Haldex centre coupling that distributes torque between front and rear axles according to available traction. Handling is excellent and stability control can be switched off if desired.A close ratio, six-speed manual transmission is standard. It has a short action and is generally easy to use, but at times you can become lost between gears.With so much torque on tap the car can be driven around in top gear most of the time but becomes a handful in heavy traffic.Big ventilated disc brakes, 334mm front and 256mm rear, are supplemented by ABS, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP).Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags.Standard features include cruise control, xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an in-dash six CD player.Fuel consumption is on the thirsty side and it likes the good stuff. Claimed consumption is 11.5L/100km, but we got about 420km from the 62-litre tank before the low fuel light made an appearance.