Volkswagen hones its bestsellers to perfection, and the Golf range takes here of course centre stage. The Golf also caters for a wide array of users, also for those among us which still choose for a “classic” combustion-engined drivetrain, albeit here with the electric support of a 48 V battery and a belt driven starter/generator.
This choice can be the right one for many reasons, last but not least for example the poor availability and density of the charging infrastructure and of course the type of use of his/her car. Frequent and almost daily high-speed long distance runs on Autobahnen and autoroutes or longer trips in remote mountain/rural areas on this globe can make the choice for an efficient petrol engined car the right one.
We wanted to find out with this test how they behave in terms of consumption and efficiency in our present day “green” world…
We also took a close look at the practical qualities of the Variant version, which also tops in the popularity charts. Did you know that Golf Variant has already impressed more than 3 million customers since its debut in 1993?
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Timeless looks and top notch build quality…
The Golf Variant runs of the production line in the “home” factory in Wolfsburg, and this is true for the entire Golf range now. The Golf stands out with excellent finish and quality of the materials used. The vast experience of the group in achieving high standards of finish in its mass produced cars certainly shows. There is further the attention to detail and every aspect of the styling of the Golf range, which is also a good example of how to combine timeless contours and proportions with an overall elegance which appeals to (almost) all of us. The 2024 edition has received a further facelift by the way, with revamped infotainment. But interior dimensions remain unchanged.
Stepping into the cabin is as one might expect totally easy, even for the tallest among us. Also two adult rear passengers find more than adequate leg- and headroom. See further more about the practical qualities of this Variant.
We like the dashboard layout and the no nonsense design of the round instruments you can choose in the digital display in front of you, clearly readable in the good VW tradition. The central touchscreen is also well oriented and clearly readable. After the most recent facelift the now free-standing touchscreen is further enlarged, with a screen diagonal up to 32.8 cm.
What is truly impressive is the enormous plethora of information you can display on both the central touchscreen and the instrument cluster in front of you. Don’t get too enthusiastic when trying this out, as you can wind up with a drivers’ screen which informs you about too many things…
As with any car, it certainly pays to read the instruction manual carefully, something which hardly anyone does, much to their own expense. You will learn a lot, and the manufacturer has gone to great lengths to inform you, no efforts spared. For example, the manual of my trusted Lexus CT 200h is…696 pages long! Instead of looking at You Tube films to know more about using your car, read the manual first…
We reconfigured the Variant drivers’ display to indicate also the oil temperature, and this gave us again some very interesting information. It reminded us that one needs to drive at least 10 minutes and/or up to 15 kilometers to get an oil temperature at working temperature. Water temperature is much sooner at its “ideal” level, as the thermostat brings it there rapidly to ensure ideal thermal efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. So don’t floor the accelerator too soon and don’t rev the engine too high on short (urban) runs…
An ideal driving position is soon found, with plenty of adjustment range available in seats and steering wheel column.
One of the Achilles heels in the present day generations of VW’s are the haptic touch buttons to use the different infotainment functions of the car. It certainly needs a sensitive hand and index finger to get acquainted with them. But practice (and patience) makes perfect…. The slider controls for heating and ventilation are illuminated too, which is welcome at night.
Driving
The Golf has always been an excellent drivers’ car in its segment, and this Variant 1,5 eTSI DSG7 is no exception. The 130 HP 4 cylinder engine is smooth and willing, and well matched to the 7 speed DSG auto box. There is the addition of a mild-hybrid system and a powerful brake energy recuperation function, paired exclusively with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).
The energy stored in the 48 V lithium-ion battery supplies the 12 V vehicle electrical system and drives the 48 V belt starter generator. Below 20 km/h, when coasting, the engine will shut off automatically, and it does also under braking.
The belt starter generator also starts the combustion engine – which as we said is switched off as much as possible while the vehicle is moving – in a barely perceptible way. Driving at normal throttle openings, the engine will change quickly into higher gears, keeping revs low. This belt-driven starter-alternator not only takes on the role of the alternator and starter but also operates as a small, lightweight electric motor that instantly boosts the drive torque when moving off.
The good torque characteristics of this unit still warrant brisk accelerations. Mind you, the Changes are smooth and jerk free, making (urban) driving most relaxing. Performance is up to scratch, with the “classic” 0 to 100 km/h sprint absolved in 9,6 seconds, and a top speed of not less than 206 km/h.
How does this translate in fuel efficiency? Again, much depends, as always, on your driving style. But the starter generator helps you. In low speed stop and go urban traffic expect a consumption in the range of 7,3 liters/100 km. On the open road, it is easy to get below 5 liters/100 km, and autobahn runs at legal speeds cost you seldom more than 6,5 liters. Indeed, the “coasting” function with automatic engine shut of when you lift the throttle at speed is smooth, very relaxing and indeed saves fuel.
VW claims that the assistance of the starter/generator reduces average fuel consumption by some 0,4 l/100 km. If you adapt your driving style to the philosophy of this eTSI, this is certainly true. The CO2 emissions according to WLTP standards are 129 g/km, the emission standard is Euro 6d (WLTP).
Handling and comfort beyond reproach.
Needless to say that the Golf platform, it uses the Modular Transverse Toolkit (Modular Quer Bau) is currently Volkswagen’s most widely used technology platform, and allows for the Golf to offer customers a choice between petrol, diesel, CNG, electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Golf Variant offers most excellent (high speed) stability and impeccable handling, behaving very predictably in all thinkable situations. We tested the car in very snowy conditions, and it proved to be masterful in every respect, of course when driven sensibly…
Practical There is another strong point of the Golf Variant, and that is offering room for its occupants and luggage. The Variant is now 4,633 mm long and now boasts a wheelbase of 2,686 mm (respectively a 66 mm increase compared with its predecessor). Much to the advantage of the interior: the legroom thereby also increases by 48 mm. There is also room for your luggage: when loaded up to the top edge of the rear seat backrest, it offers 611 litres of stowage space.
With the vehicle loaded up to the roofliner with integrated luggage compartment net and the front seat backrests, the volume increases to 1,642 litres.
We drove the posh “R Line” equipment version, but it is good to know that the Golf Variant standard features already include the Lane Assist lane departure warning system, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, the new oncoming vehicle braking when turning function, XDS electronic differential lock, the Car2X traffic hazard alert, the keyless comfort start system Keyless Start and automatic lighting control. Always as standard in the vehicle interior: Digital Cockpit Pro (digital instruments), Composition online infotainment system touchscreen, We Connect and We Connect Plus online services and functions, a multifunction steering wheel, Air Care Climatronic automatic air conditioner and a Bluetooth telephone interface.
Conclusion
This Golf Variant eTSI A formidable practical companion, bringing you swiftly and economically in all types of weather and roads, with a useable range of 750 kilometers from its 45 liter tank, offering lots of passenger room fore and aft and for massive luggage too.
It is everything you would like a car to be, dependable, timeless, iconic, classless, standing indeed the test of time.
In its starter/generator configuration it makes clever use of e-power, not adding much weight in heavy batteries, which is also an advantage as European governments now soon want increasingly to tax cars on their weight. The Golf is also reasonably compact considering the room it offers, so it will have for many years (literally) its place in urban areas.
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Autoprova - for the Connaisseur 