Volkswagen Golf S 1.6 TDI 3dr Car Review - June 2013

The Volkswagen Golf range, as a whole, consists of models who all have commendable handling characteristics. While the Golf S 1.6 TDI has a slightly more humdrum suspension than more expensive models, it nonetheless is well balanced and responsive, and is at least the match of its rivals in terms of drivability. The 103bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine isn’t as gutsy as the 2.0-litre model, but is very flexible and still gives a credible 184 lb-ft of torque at 1500-2750rpm. The driving position is excellent, and the cabin as a whole is ergonomically pleasing with a thoughtfully angled dashboard and clear, easy-to-operate controls. The driving experience is enhanced by excellent levels of vision throughout, with minimal obtrusion from pillars.

The Golf has, throughout its life, managed to strike a balance between intelligent engineering and classy styling, with the latest generation of the model continuing in the same vein. The styling for the latest Golf is a case of evolution rather than revolution, but the designers at Volkswagen have managed to produce a car which is lighter than the previous model despite a slight increase in its dimensions. The S trim represents the entry level to the Golf range, but still comes with power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric windows, driver passenger and front side airbags, immobiliser, and CD player with MP3 connectivity, and bluetooth. There is also a lengthy list of optional extras to choose from, including alloy wheels for £420, metallic paint for £525, cruise control for £240, rear parking sensor for £450, and an alarm for £230, although choosing all of these will add a significant sum to the purchase price.

With a plethora of airbags, and other driver aid such as stability control as standard, the Volkswagen Golf was awarded a full 5-star rating by Euro NCAP, the independent consumer organisation who conduct safety and crash tests on all new cars released onto the European market. This will give enormous peace of mind to any potential buyer, as will the manufacturers 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty included with all new Golf’s. There is plenty of room in the Golf, even for rear seat passengers, and although the 380-litres of luggage capacity is unremarkable, it rises to 1270-litres once the standard fit split-folding rear seats are fully lowered, and also features an adjustable floor which makes the more accessible.

The £19,120 Volkswagen Golf S 1.6 TDI costs over £2,500 more than the entry-level petrol model in the Golf range, but does come with substantial benefits when it comes to running costs. The frugal diesel engine boasts a combined fuel economy figure of 74.3 mpg, and with less than 100g/km of CO2 emissions the tax-busting Golf S 1.6 TDI falls into the lowest Vehicle Excise Duty band A. A Ford Fiesta Zetec S 1.6 TDCI is considerably less to buy and boasts similar running costs, but is no match for the Golf in terms of refinement. A class act all round, the Volkswagen Golf will also perform strongly in the used car market, with residual values staying high, and as a result is the much better prospect when considered as a long term investment.