2012 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Although convertibles and cabriolets with hardtop roofs have become common in recent years, there is still plenty of demand for traditional soft-top convertibles.Purists of open-top cars have no interest in driving something that looks like a closed coupe when the roof is up, so will find the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet most attractive.DESIGN AND EQUIPMENTVolkswagen’s Golf Cabriolet combines the best of the traditional soft-top, with modern folding-roof thinking. The roof is ultra fast and you can put it up and down three times in 60 seconds. The easy-to-use one-button function lets you get it up and down at the lights with time to spare.When the top is down there is no separate cover for the folded roof, rather the upper surface of the front roof bow becomes the top of the roof stowage are. Because the folded roof sits on top of the boot rather than inside it there’s good luggage space of 250 litres.However, the boot lid is small and low down and loading/unloading is not easy. The rear seatbacks in the Cabriolet can be folded flat to significantly expand carrying space. Previous models only had a small ski hatch. We found the Golf Cabriolet’s windscreen angle ideal, providing protection from the wind without interfering with the open air feel. Purists will rejoice.Interior space in the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is good with plenty of leg and headroom for the front seat occupants and reasonable space for adults in the back. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, the back seats less so, but for heavens sake this is a car designed for two and who cares about those in the back.The interior is pleasingly quiet with the roof in place thanks to a special insulating filler layer. Bluetooth connectivity for both phone and audio, USB and Auxiliary sockets and Media Interface unit all make it easier to entertain and communicate while on the road.SAFETYStandard safety features include five airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist. All previous Golf convertibles have used a fixed roll bar to provide protection in the unfortunate event of a rollover.While the Golf may have a traditional roof, the new model has a modern electronic system of looking after its occupants. Two recessed bars triggered by the car’s airbag controller spring upwards in about a quarter of a second if an impending rollover is detected. The front windscreen frame is reinforced to also act as a roll-bar.However, the chances of rollovers are minimal thanks to the installation of various electronic systems able to sense when a car is starting to slide sideways and do everything possible to bring the errant Golf back on course.DRIVINGDespite the absence of a fixed roof, clever body design means the car is rigid and we found almost no evidence of the scuttle-shake that used to affect convertibles. Purists may have liked that aspect of convertibles, but we must admit that a solid ride suits us better. And the lack of body movement gives the suspension a nice platform to work from.There’s good feedback through the steering wheel and handling is sharp and positive. It’s no sports machine but it comes close and it’s most enjoyable to drive. Our road test Golf Cabriolet had Volkswagen’s clever 1.4-litre TSI twincharger engine mated to a seven-speed double-clutch DSG transmission.Double-clutch transmission can be notoriously temperamental at very low speeds and this one proved no exception. Having said that, we did a fair bit of heavy-duty commuting with our review car and the automatic changes were much appreciated. The model designation of Golf 118TSI refers to the engine’s peak power of 118 kW, at 5800 rpm, while the maximum torque of 240 Nm runs through an excellent spread that goes all the way from 1500 to 4000 revs.Fuel consumption is typically in the seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres range around town, dropping into the low sixes on a trip. This is pretty good for a petrol engine with the sort of performance provided.VERDICTNew Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet’s attractive looks, lithe performance and very competitive pricing could well see a swing away from folding hardtop convertibles back towards the soft-top era.

Australia's favourite car in 2011 was the Mazda3.  The Japanese compact also topped the small-car class despite a solid challenge from the Toyota Corolla and opposition from more than 20 other babies.But does that make it the best small car in Australia today? There is only one way to find out, which is why we have the Mazda3 lined up against its toughest showroom rivals for the first in a series of Carsguide title fights.Picking the top four for this punch-up is - relatively - easy. We might like the idea of an Alfa Romeo, or the patriotism of a Holden Cruze, or the space in a Mitsubishi Lancer, but we would not recommend one of those to our best friend.And, apart from personal preferences and bias, that's what car choice really comes down to. Which car would you choose to drive away if it was your life and your money?The Mazda3 is an automatic choice since it's the reigning champion, and the Toyota Corolla gets an automatic spot as the number one contender. We also have to take the Volkswagen Golf because it's the best car in the small-car class - if not the best value - and the final spot goes to the Ford Focus because it's the sweetest drive and was a finalist in last year's Carsguide Car of the Year award.VALUEYou can spend just over $20,000 to put a quality small car on the road, but it's easy to go much higher with high-performance models such as the $39,490 Mazda3 MPS and $52,490 Golf R. So we settled in the midrange, where most private buyers spend their own cash, with four fighters with prices covered by only $2000. The Corolla Levin ZR comes in at $29,990 and the Golf 118TSI Comfortline is $31,990.All come with a host of creature features that just five years ago were standard only in luxury cars. Apart from being the cheapest, the popular Corolla is also a valued asset because it is easier to sell at trade-in and is the only one here with the security of capped-price service costs. It also doesn't scrimp on features with a totally keyless entry and start system that detects when you approach the car and automatically unlocks, Bluetooth, an MP3 compatible CD player, front fog lights, cruise control, moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on HID headlights and climate control airconditioning.Our Mazda comes with much the same gear, but this luxury version adds $3000 to the $27,990 price for Bi-Xenon headlamps, a sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim and a 10-speaker Bose 242-watt sound system. The Focus Sport includes a spoiler, sports seats, auto wipers, Sony sound, leather steering wheel, dual-zone airconditioning and, since December, satnav as standard.The Golf is the only one here with daytime running lights. It also has an optional park assist system at $1400 and rearview camera at $500.TECHNOLOGYThe newest engine here is the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre with an auto stop-start system called i-stop. It's not the most powerful unit at 113 kiloWatts, well down on the 125kW Focus However, Mazda's engine is married to a new Skyactiv six-speed transmission which is not only silky smooth but, together with the i-stop function, helps the vehicle achieve the best fuel figures of 6.1-6.2L/100km.It is marginally lighter on fuel than the VW which has the smallest 1.4 engine, but boosted to 118kW with a turbo. It manages 6.2L/100km due also to the transmission, a seven-speed DSG auto. Toyota's ageing 1.8-litre engine is the weakest with only 100kW and is relatively thirsty at 7.3L/100km because it only has a four-speed auto.On the electronics side, the Mazda and Ford have voice recognition and satnav, although the high-mounted screen in the Mazda is almost impossible to see in direct sunlight or for anyone over 50. On the low-tech side, the Corolla is the only vehicle with a full-size spare.SAFETYCarsguide takes safety seriously and all four cars have a five-star ANCAP rating. The Toyota and VW lead the pack with seven airbags, adding knee protection for the driver, while the Mazda and Ford have six airbags each. All have parking sensors to avoid carpark bingles, but the Focus and Golf have an optional self-parking feature which is a real show-stopper.DRIVINGJumping back into the cars is a reminder that small-car buyers have never had better choices than they do today. All four of the so-called babies have plenty of space, good performance and the sort of equipment that used to make time in a Mercedes-Benz special. But there are significant differences.Looking first at the champion, the Mazda's cabin feels surprisingly cramped and dark, there is lots of noise from the tyres, and there is also bumping and thumping on poor surfaces. The Focus is a nicely sporty drive, but the cabin controls are complicated and confusing and it doesn't seem all that big.The Corolla has the roomiest feel and update work last year has made the cabin a nice place, while the suspension is great. It's just a pity about the four-speed gearbox. And the Golf? We expected to drive best and it goes, but the cabin is dark and not particularly inviting, and the DSG gearbox - once a first choice with Carsguide testers - now has us worried. We get lots of owner complaints and poor feedback, and that's not good.VERDICTNo drum roll, no fanfare, just the bottom line: it's the Toyota Corolla. The world's favourite small car is my choice - back at the top again, after a long run down the field - as the best small car in showrooms today.The Mazda3 is still the people's choice, and consistently Australia's favourite, while the Volkswagen Golf is the class of the field and the Ford Focus is the most fun. But picking a winner in a very tight contest means I have no friends and must consider everything.The Golf is quality but you pay the price, the cabin is like a cave, and I cannot help wondering and worrying - after a string of owner questions and complaints - about the DSG transmission. It's a lovely car, and one I love to drive, but I could not buy one. The Mazda3 is, plain and simple, showing its age. The cabin is cheap, there is too much road noise and suspension thump, the engine is nothing special, and - even though it's a little thing - the satnav screen is tiny. It's nice, but not as good as I remembered. And the Focus, a COTY contender last year? The thing it does best, corners, is the one thing most Australians don't care about. It's a good car, but not a great car. And the messy dashboard and confusing switches drive me batty.In a field of four, the Corolla is ordinary but extraordinary. It sneaks up on you with surprising strengths that reflect a deep and long-term understanding of the real needs of small-car buyers. It's only got a four-speed automatic, but that is easily offset by capped-price servicing through the warranty period. The Corolla is the car I would be happiest to drive away and own, and that makes it my winner.Paul Gover Rating1. Toyota Corolla2. Volkswagen Golf3. Mazda34. Ford FocusToyota Corolla Levin ZRPrice: $29,990Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: capped-price for 3 years or 60,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 1.8L 4-cylinder 100kW/175NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4245mm (L), 1760mm (W), 1515mm (H), 2600mm (WB)Weight: 1280kgTransmission: 4-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 7.3L/100kmVW Golf 118 TSI ComfortlinePrice: $31,990Warratny: 3 years, unlimited kmService: 15,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD, BA and hill startEngine: 1.4L, turbo 4-cylinder, 118kW/240NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4199mm (L), 1785mm (W), 1479mm (H), 2574mm (WB)Weight: 1330kgTransmission: 7-speed auto DSG, FWDEconomy: 6.2L/100km, 144g/kmMazda3 SP20 Skyactiv luxuryPrice: $30,990Warranty: 3 years / unlimited kmsService: 6mths/10,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2-litre 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmBody: 5-door hatchDimensions: 4460mm (L), 1755mm (W), 1470mm (H), 2640mm (WB)Weight: 1346kgTransmission: 6-speed Skyactiv auto, FWDEconomy: 6.1-6.2L/100km Ford Focus SportPrice: $30,190Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: 15,000km/annualSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, hill launch, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2.0L 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4538-4362mm (L), 2010mm (W), 1451-1484mm (H), 2648mm (WB)Weight: 1900kgTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 6.6L/100km, 154g/km

You win some, you lose some. Or so it would seem when it comes to Volkswagen's new ultra fuel-efficient Golf BlueMotion, which is priced from $28,990.ECONOMYThe win in this case comes in the form of outstanding fuel economy, which at 3.8 litres/100km, is about as good as it currently gets _ surpassed only by Ford's smaller Fiesta Econetic at 3.7. It's even better than Toyota's benchmark petrol-electric Prius. With a 55-litre fuel tank and economy of 3.8 litres/100km, the Golf has a theoretical range of 1447km.ENGINEOn the downside we bid goodbye to the current, 1.6-litre 77TDI diesel. It's been axed to make way for the new BlueMotion model. The car features the same 1.6-litre turbo diesel as the 77TDI, but with several refinements to improve fuel economy.The diesel delivers 77kW of power at 4400 revs and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 2000 revs. A stop/start system is also part of the setup that shuts down the engine at traffic lights, provided the car is put into neutral and the energy normally lost during braking is diverted to the car's battery.TRANSMISSIONThe thing is BlueMotion is available only in manual form. If you want a diesel with VW's acclaimed DSG `manumatic' transmission you'll have to cough up considerably more for the more expensive 2.0-litre diesel. It's paired with a five-speed manual gearbox (not a six-speed), with gear ratios that are said to do a better job of keeping revs in the torque band where it is at its most efficient. The engine management system has been revised to reduce idle speed and a visual prompt tells the driver when to change gears for maximum economy. As well as this a number of aerodynamic improvements have been made to reduce wind drag. The fact that Volkswagen is not offering an automatic doesn't quite fit with the company's claims of no compromise. But VW Australia boss Anke Koeckler explained it was keen to make a "green" statement, to show that it has plenty of know-how using existing diesel technology.It's a pity because I for one will miss the 77TDI, a car we had for several weeks. Equipped with the DSG transmission, it was as practical as it was economical, one of the few fuel misers that we've tested over a longer period to return more than 1000km from a single tank. The 75 per cent of Golf buyers who chose an auto over a manual may also be less than enthusiastic.DESIGNGolf BlueMotion comes as a five-door hatch. A deeper front air dam is fitted along with a rear wing to push air over the car, the ride height has been dropped 15mm and lightweight 15 inch alloys with low roll resistance tyres added.Underneath it all, however, BlueMotion is still a Golf like any other Golf, with seven airbags, plenty of driver assistance systems and a maximum five-star safety rating. But the spare wheel has been replaced by a reinflation kit to reduce weight, which is down to 1234kg.The car is well equipped and comes in four colours including environmental blue, but misses out once again on Bluetooth which remains optional.DRIVINGOn the road it is easy and pleasant to drive, but the driver must remain vigilant to change gears as instructed and to make use of the start/stop system. If you don't put the car into neutral it will not activate and you'll miss out on fuel savings.Although it is often difficult to achieve official economy figures, we came close at the launch this week returning 3.9 litres/100km. Former rally driver and self-styled economy expert Ed Ordynski went one better, getting the figure down to 3.3 litres/100km on a 1000km economy run.In summary Golf BlueMotion will appeal to those serious about making an environmental statement. But we reckon they'll soon tire of changing gears, especially if they're city dwellers.

When Volkswagen launched the first GTI back in 1976, they were planning on building 5000 of them. The rest is history. The GTI has become the most successful sports models in automotive history and will soon notch up 2 million sales world wide. To mark its 35th anniversary, VW is offering a very limited Edition 35 model with more power and extra goodies for another 3 grand - and it's a cracker!ENGINEThe 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged engine is shared by the GTI and all wheel drive Golf R. But it's a detuned version of the R's engine, rather than a hopped up GTi one (what's the difference?) It runs the same compression ratio but the boost has been turned down on the turbocharger.Compared to the standard GTI power is up 18kW from 155 to 173kW, not quite as much as the R's 188kW but a significant increase. Torque has also been increased, up 20Nm from 280 to 300Nm _ not as much as the R's 330Nm.The engine also takes on the higher revving characteristics of the R, with maximum power delivered at 6000 revs and maximum torque at 2400 revs.PERFORMANCERemember the GTI Pirelli? Well this one's even better with 173 versus 169kW, but it does the dash in the same 6.6 seconds. Golf has moved on a generation since then and there's no doubting this is a much better car. It feels tighter and smoother with better grip and handling.Power is fed to the front wheels through the GTI's trick XDL diff, with 0-100km/h taking 6.6 seconds for both the manual and DSG. That's 0.3 seconds quicker than a standard GTI, but still short of the R's 5.9/5.7 secs for the manual/DSG.THE CHOICEThe Edition 35 comes in five doors only, in a choice of colours and with a choice of six speed manual or six-speed DSG transmissions, the latter for an extra $2500. It's priced from $43,490. That's $3000 more than a standard GTI but $6500 less than the R).OUTSIDEUnderstated. In a word. The only visible badging is the number 35 on ahead of the door on either side. GTI watchers will however note the deeper front air dam, with bi-xenon lights and dynamic cornering and LED daytime runners. The exterior mirrors are also finished in gloss black and the side sill extensions match the body colour. All Edition 35s are also equipped with smoked LED rear lights, LED-illuminated license plate and smoked rear windows.INSIDEThere's a classic golf ball look/feel gear shift, special scuff plates with the Edition 35 logo, seat belts with red stripes and a 35 integrated in the front head rests. The logo also appears on the backs of the seats and all decorative seams are red.HOW'S IT GO?Spectacularly. Very strong acceleration, especially in the mid range. But what we really like about these cars is their practicality. You can pedal them around like a shopping trolley most of the time and they don't feel any different to a standard Golf. But put your foot down and the differences becomes immediately apparent. The other big plus about the GTI is the fuel economy. This thing can still returns 8.3/8.2 litres/100km in manual/DSG form if you don't push it hard.VERDICTThe Golf GTI is the perfect balance of sport and practicality and the Edition 35 model is just better again. Better get one before they run out?VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI EDITION 35Price: about $45,000Body: 5-door, 5-seater hatchEngine: 173kW/300Nm, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrolTransmission: 6-speed manual or DSGSafety: 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, 5-star crash ratingWeight: 1400kgEconomy: 8.1L/100km (manual), 8L/100km (DSG)CO2: 189g/km (man), 185g/km (DSG).