Insurance Group: 21
MPG: 53.3
CO2: 138
0-62 Mph: 9.3 secs
BHP: 138 BHP
Range: 645 miles
PROS: The Golf has plenty of practicality and is a great car to drive, while the Match level of trim brings a reasonable level of equipment without compromising the price.
CONS: The additional cost of the diesel engine may not be recouped in fuel efficiency unless you do a lot of mileage, and the insurance costs are a little more expensive for this version too.
The Golf is an absolute pleasure to drive, with steering that is accurate and communicative leaping into corners, and stays stable and has plenty of grip at all times. Although the steering is responsive and the body stable, the ride is still comfortable, giving drivers the balance of a fun driving experience without sacrificing comfort. Inside the drivers seat can be adjusted for height as well as moved back and forth, and the fully adjustable steering wheel helps drivers find the perfect position, while still offering great visibility too.
The automatic gearbox does affect the performance of this particular Golf slightly, but acceleration from 0-62mph is still achieved in a competitive 9.3 seconds. The top speed of 129mph means that the car is happy cruising on the motorway, where the cabin remains refined and calm, with wind, engine and road noise all kept to a minimum.
The Golf is a car that has been evolving for many years, and the current model has an attractive front end where the headlight clusters blend into the trademark Golf grille. The lines are smooth and curved without compromising interior space, and the rear of the car is in great proportion to the rest of the vehicle. Inside the plastics are of high quality with a dashboard that is easy to read and a centre console with simple, chunky controls.
The Match level of trim includes electric windows in the back as well as the front, and also includes alloy wheels that help to improve the exterior appearance of the car. Air conditioning and cruise control are also present, with a high quality CD stereo that has a multi CD changer built in. Bluetooth connectivity is also a welcome addition with the Match trim.
One of the main attractions for many people when they are considering a Golf is that it is one of the most flexible cars on the market, with a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate four adults. The boot space is also good, with seats that can fold forward should you need to carry a larger load. The reliability record of the Golf is also very impressive, meaning years of worry free motoring.
The Golf is also a car that is suited to the safety conscious, as it is supplied with a good range of airbags including curtain airbags for the passengers in the rear and a driver’s knee airbag. There are also plenty of driving and stability aids that help to keep the car under control at all times, and these have all helped the Golf to get five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.
With a list price of £22,500, this version of the Golf certainly isn’t the cheapest available, but it does come with the powerful diesel engine and the nice automatic gearbox.
Running costs are still fairly competitive considering that it has the automatic gearbox, with the 2.0 litre diesel engine able to deliver an average 53.3mpg. The insurance group is a little higher than some of the smaller engines, meaning higher premiums, but this version of the Golf still holds its value very well. The Golf is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also comes with a one year roadside assistance policy, which is fairly typical of the package on offer from cars in this class.
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