Why yes, it has been only three weeks since our last Volkswagen Golf feature story. Why do you ask?
Maybe it’s because the little VW is on fire. The car is nearly single-handedly bringing back hatchback sales with the introduction last year of its 7th generation model. Winner of numerous national and international auto journo awards, MkVII Golf sales in the U.S. are up 230% through June over the same period last year, and are tracking towards a record-setting 84,000 sales for 2015.
There are two 2015 Golfs in my driveway this week: my own two-door GTI 6-speed and today’s tester, the above four-door TDI SEL with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. This is not a comparison test but the variation between the two cars’ equipment levels makes for some interesting perspectives.
The wide range of 2015 Golf models and drivetrain options available is one reason for all the hype and sales growth. From the base Golf to the sporty GTI, the all-electric e-Golf to the 292 hp all-wheel drive Golf R, and even this TDI Clean Diesel, Volkswagen has all hatchback prospects covered.
The Golf TDI’s turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder diesel motor produces 150 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at only 1,750 rpm. Our tester came with Volkswagen’s slick dual-clutch six-speed DSG transmission. A handful of diesel TDIs are produced with a 6-speed manual transmission, but are actually slightly slower in acceleration than DSG-equipped cars. (A friend at a West Coast Volkswagen/Audi store thinks that VW only builds stick-shift diesels to satisfy the TDI “evangelist” — owners who are on their third diesel and sit around his showroom while their cars are in for service, telling everyone how their 200,000-mile TDI is still on its original clutch. He says they are the same folks who ask about “that European diesel that gets 70 mpg that Volkswagen won’t sell in the US.”)
The car comes in three versions, all available as a four-door model only. The base S model starts at $22,345 and comes well equipped with heated outside mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, side curtain airbags, a hill holder (!), split folding rear seats, rear wiper and washer, and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
Step up to the $25,895 SE model and you add 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a power glass sunroof, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front fog lights, a rearview camera and a 400-watt Fender audio system.
Our tester is the top of the line SEL model wearing an MSRP of $28,329. It adds 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a navigation system, automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button start and a 12-way power driver’s seat. Our tester had pleasant grey and black “pleather” seats. (In the strange world of Volkswagen option packages, leather seating is only available on the sporty GTI and R models.)
Our car also came with the $995 Lighting Package, which features bi-xenon headlights and an adaptive front-lighting system I found far superior to the standard lighting on my GTI. The $695 Driver Assistance Package, which includes front and rear parking distance control and a forward collision warning alarm, was a bit sensitive. I also think the package needs to add blind spot warnings in the mirrors to make it a worthwhile value.
The total MSRP of our TDI was a heart-stopping $32,005. According to auto broker TrueCar, the average discount available nationwide on this model is around $1,050. Volkswagen is currently offering 1.9% APR financing for up to 60 months on all TDIs, as well as a $249/month lease special for 36 months on the base model TDI.
A full 76% of the TDIs available for sale within 200 miles of me are the base S model. My Volkswagen dealer friend says the SEL variant sells well but availability is scarce so, like I learned with my GTI, getting the exact options and color you want will be near-impossible unless you are willing to order one and wait 6 months.
The TDI’s 18-inch wheels and Night Blue Metallic paint actually makes the hatchback look downright luxurious. (I wanted to use the phrase “screams luxurious” but then I would have to determine what my two-door GTI “screams” and all I could think of was “USC exchange student.”)
I have previously lamented how I should have purchased the 4-door variant of the GTI and the TDI drives the point home: while interior volume is identical on two- and four-door Golfs, ingress and egress to the roomy back seat can be a pain. Fold down the rear seats and you have the cargo room of a small CUV.
I have also learned why I’m apparently the only Golf owner who likes the 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment center: my GTI does not have navigation. This TDI has this option and, between the too-small screen and its too-low location (not to mention its silly graphics), the system is awful. Word is that an 8-inch touchscreen is coming next year on all VWs. As I said about my GTI, the dash and controls are near Audi-worthy.
The TDI’s keyless start/stop button is located on the console next to the shift lever — exactly where it belongs — rather than on the dash. You can push the button and grab the shift lever in one simple move. Why do most other carmakers put it on the dashboard?
At idle, the torquey diesel is barely louder than a direct injection Mercedes. Hit the accelerator from a standing start and you discover what may be the TDI’s biggest glitch: a hesitation followed by a too-sudden drivetrain engagement, enough to squeal the tires at three-fourth’s throttle. Our esteemed Managing Editor noticed the same thing in his test of a TDI Jetta. After a week in the saddle, I barely noticed it.
The TDI has been clocked at around 8 seconds for the 0 to 60 sprint. For most traffic situations, the car responds instantly to your right foot. It could use a little more highway passing power, but that is the price you pay for great fuel economy. The DSG shifter lived up to its hype: shifts are crisp and quick whether in automatic or manual mode.
While not quite a GTI, the TDI is also a lot of fun in the curves. It remains stable and firmly planted, though does share the slightly-sloppy steering of other Golf models. I did miss the World’s Largest Dead Pedal from my GTI in the turns.
The TDI eats up the miles on the open road with little tire or wind noise. My only complaint was a bit of monkey butt after a few hours from the seats being a bit too hard, but I will take that as the seats are super-supportive.
The TDI is EPA rated at 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. This car’s fuel consumption indicator showed 41.0 mpg after a spirited mixed-use 350 mile run. I was skeptical of this number and sure enough, upon fill-up I hand-calculated the drive at 38.6 mpg. It turns out that other media outlets have also spotted this over-optimism of the fuel economy calculator. Let us hope that at least the Golf’s speedometer is accurate. (Perhaps we should add the feature from 1970s buff book tests that measured “Actual” vs. “Indicated” speedometer numbers. I seem to recall “Indicated” speed was usually 3 to 10% higher than “Actual” speed before Japanese brands came along and started hitting the mph number on the head.)
Two- and four-door Golfs have the same exterior dimensions and interior volume.
What kept running through my mind as I was testing the TDI was that this automobile is two steps away — leather seats and better navigation — from being an Audi A3. Apparently Audi agrees as they are bringing back the A3 Sportback this year and among its engine options will be the TDI motor.
My friend at the VW/Audi dealership notes that the A3 hatch may hurt the TDI as Audi’s superior residual values means that lease payments on a higher-priced Audi may actually be lower than those on a VW TDI, as is currently the case on the A3 TDI Sedan. Although few diesel customers lease their cars, this payment disparity is one of the challenges created by Audi and Volkswagen sharing platforms.
The Golf TDI is a sophisticated high-mileage hatch that does a lot of things well. It is the most fun you can have at 40 mpg.
Picks:
- Another variation of the all-around goodness of the Golf
- Smooth and quiet TDI diesel motor
- An Audi in disguise
Nit Pics:
- Out-of-date navigation system and display
- Loaded SEL model is pricey at $32,000
- Off-the-line acceleration hesitation
Wife Sez: So tell me again why we did not get a moonroof in our GTI?
Volkswagen provided vehicle for one week along with insurance and one tank of gas.
Heh.. a little hatch *starts* at 22K+?
Only the lonely.
Well, clearly they’re doing something right. Mk7s are thick as flies around here. If it’s really not worth it, then VW must be laughing all the way to the bank.
Per Mr. Cain’s excellent site, Jan-June 2015 US sales:
Mitsu Mirage… 13,501
Golf GTI…. 11,305
Don’t know VW nomenclature but are the bulk of the Mk7s you’re seeing 22K+ cars?
The GTI is the sporty option of the Golf line. The regular Golf has sales of 30724 YTD, and the Golf R has sales of 1674.
So total ‘MK7’ Golf sales are about 44000 YTD.
I would expect most are going for over $22k, but I don’t have any stats to confirm.
So total Mk 7 sales YTD are roughly 66% of the Nissan Versa’s.
That’s VW’s bread and butter. It’s a small but middle market European car so it’s not a penalty box in terms of ride, NVH, material quality, etc. like a Fit, Yaris or a Spark.
To be fair, the Golf is a C segment and shouldnt be compared to subcompacts lke the Yaris etc.
Its up against the Corolla, Cruze and Focus etc.
And really, drive one. I dislike VAG products but you cant help but be impressed with it.
You cant even compare the driving experience to the domestics and japanese and koreans. It’s not even a fair fight. The Golf is so superior its unfair.
I’m not talking about reliabilty here obviously.
What he said.
I love driving my 2012 TDi. It handles well, is very quiet, and I get that 40 mpg. Torque monster in the city, and 2000 RPM at 80 mph. The car has the top non nav audio system, with great electronics and phone integration.
It is clear this car fights in a much more crowded room in Europe.
I have 84k on the car. My family fights over it in the driveway. I was planning on putting fresh Bilstein HD’s on the car to complement the Michelin Pilot A/S 3 fitted. (great tire, BTW)
Until it tossed a Diesel Particulate Filter, it was bliss.
A DPF, out of warranty, is $2,450.00. VW paid half as I was 3000 miles out of the 80,000 mile Federal pollution warranty-calling customer service revealed they had a great script and were well trained, but no more $.
The car is now on probation, although the most likely replacement would be a GTi in this price range.
Yes, there is a fly in the ointment of the perfect car, the Brown Manual Diesel Wagon….and it is called DPF.
That’s pretty much the going rate for a well equipped compact these days, and they’re all comprehensively equipped.
Pretty amazing how well most of them drive, though.
It’s not that little, it’s much bigger on the inside than a Focus or Cruze.
I just traded my old car in on a ’15 TDI Jetta, the Golf is an obviously more refined vehicle when you sit inside one but the availability of vehicles combined with the ~4k higher price for the same trim/engine due to the Jetta having much higher incentives forced me away. I’ve only chirped the tires in 1st once, I’ve found that letting it get to 2nd (and it gets through 1st in a bit over a second under normal away from light acceleration) before adding throttle helps avoid any issues.
“41.0 mpg after a spirited mixed-use 350 mile run. I was skeptical of this number and sure enough, upon fill-up I hand-calculated the drive at 38.6 mpg”
I wonder if this just seems high since 38.6 – 41 is not a big difference in actual fuel consumption. You also have to measure multiple tanks to cancel out how each pump measures differently and when it shuts off. If you only fill up 10 gallons and one pump is 1/4 gallon more sensitive, you easily get this difference.
BTW, my CRV is always within 1/2 mpg of what the car tells me.
My actual numbers are usually about 2-3 MPG lower than what the display shows on my 2012 Sportwagen. Same thing on my wife’s gas Jetta. It’s always a bit optimistic.
Look at the MPG data via OBD & e.g. Torque. You might notice that the computer records the right data, but VW possibly decided to tune that data to look more … attractive.
My Toyota has always always always reported about 10% optimistic on mpg for any kind of driving and whether I went through a single tank on a single trip or if the tank lasted a week or two.
On the other hand, my old Honda was always within 1-2%. I’m confident that my odometer was accurate (33 mile daily commute, google maps and odometer measured within .1-.2 miles of each other). And I’m pretty confident with a sample of dozens and dozens of different gas stations…
The VW numbers could be operator error but they could also be instrument error.
So anyone hear anymore about the GTD? Have owned a 2012 VW TDI for more than 3 years, about 60k miles, and I noticed the manual calc method vs dash from day one and it hasn’t changed. Figure 43mpg when I see an avg of 45mpg on the dash. Consistently off from 1.5-2mpg.
Over the weekend.. noticed this article .. 81 mpg from a 2015 TDI.
http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/how-to-get-81-miles-per-gallon-and-see-48-states-for-300.html/?ref=YF
My best mpg came from a 300 mile drive heading west from Chicago to Nebraska. The little stretch, 50mpg (minus 2mpg). Have seen 52mpg in town — but non-stop 11 mile commute to work in the early morning when the traffic lights are still flashing. One stop lot drops the mpg down to the mid-40’s. So I know it can be done.. getting high fuel mileage. Worst mileage – running the air in 95+’F temps in stop and go traffic.. 35mpg. Rarely ever see anything under 32mpg.
Hoping to see the GTD, if not, may look at the Audi’s..
The comments about the console-mounted stop/start button remind me of Saab, which always placed the ignition on the console next to the shifter. This was one of Saab’s many “quirks,” but was ergonomically excellent for the reasons stated here. On my 9-5 Aero, the console also included the window switches, so I could start the car, release the brake, shift, and adjust the windows with little movement, and without taking my left hand from the wheel. It was a superior arrangement, and perhaps more manufacturers will adopt it — just as they’ve adopted the turbo fours Saab began using in the 1970’s.
“This was one of Saab’s many “quirks,” but was ergonomically excellent for the reasons stated here…”
The other thing it had going for it was that in an accident, you didn’t shatter your right kneecap on the solid slug of metal stuck in your steering column.
How does the ride compare? I have a 08 GTI and the ride is beginning to wear on me. How much more complaint is the TDI? Or, the TDI vs. the adjustable suspension equipped GTI?
jmo –
The MK7 GTI is lightyears better than the MK5 and MK6 models, even without the adaptive suspension. Extraordinarily compliant. I suppose it helps to have Porsche chassis engineers on your team.
The adaptive suspension, however, is a marvel. For the $800 asking price, it’s worth every penny if you live where the roads are less than perfect. Some people have said that they cannot tell much of a difference between “normal” and “comfort” mode, but I suspect they’re driving on roads that are already fairly good. Drive over poorly maintained roads, however, and the chassis feels more like an A4, soaking up the imperfections like a car with a much longer wheelbase.
My Mpg monitor on my Mk6 is also a bit optimistic. I get 39 mpg per the calculator, and the gadget says 41.
What amazes me most is that road noise in highway cruise is equal or less than (!) my 3 series. Having a few long stints in the saddle, I’m pleased with the seats and ergos. After three-four hours, you know if the seats are cheap or too short, or if the wheel is mis placed. The Golf nails all of this, at half (sorta) the price of the 3-er.
My neighbor has a Mk7, with the tiny screen. The system in the 6 is better, bluetooth/music/etc all work perfectly. I don’t have factory nav-we’ve gotten to the point that a $90 Garmin (with camera Points of Interest) or the smartphone you already pay for (if you can get data in your area) is a much better deal.
The speedo is perfectly accurate compared to both the phone and Garmin.
I had a 98 TDI Jetta for five years, just a marvelous car that I had zero issues with.
i found that with the little oil burner it took about 10k miles to achieve maximum fuel economy. The break in might be much shorter in the new ones though.
I wonder if anyone here could provide some insight on this from a long term stand point?
Lastly, based on the success of the Golf, I am certain VW will correct the deficiencies of the Jetta shortly.
Frustrating that VW has phased out cloth seats on all versions of the Golf save the “launch edition” Golf and base GTI. I’ve had the heated cloth seats in my last two GTIs and they’ve been excellent, if I’m stuck with leather or vinyl in order to get a sunroof that’s a potential deal breaker for me.
+1. I’d rather have cloth than leather, even, at any trim level. Can’t really say “deal breaker,” but all else being equal I’ll have the cloth, please.
Totally agree. I hate leather seats, despise the “pleather” seats. They really should have cloth seats standard. I recently helped a friend get a new SUV. She insisted on cloth seats with seat heaters. A rare combo. She was limited on her choices with that combo. Went with the Subaru Forester, which had a middle trim level (Premium, I think) with a “cold weather package” option.
I realize it’s not has hot, and some people don’t like leather touching their legs, but still!
Cloth holds lint and hair, and stains, and you can never clean it fully. With leather this is not the case.
Leather stains as well, and if its perforated will allow spilled liquid to soak into the cushioning underneath. As for lint and hair, I am human and don’t shed or produce an appreciable amount of lint, so these are non-issues.
There’s a solution if you don’t like leather touching/burning your legs: WEAR PANTS. Do you people just drive around wearing only a shirt and shoes?
Oh, yes! One simply *must* dress appropriately for a spin in the Motor.
Everyone have their goggles and gauntlets?
Oh come on, don’t be daft. The lint pulls off clothing. It is an issue.
And your cloth prevents spilled liquids soaking in, does it?
Though I don’t know if I should spend time talking to a human being who thinks they don’t shed hair.
I drive a 2013 Golf TDI with nice heated cloth seats. Previously had a 98 GTI with heated plaid. My dislike of vinyl seats is an important consideration when buying a car, and I generally prefer a nice cloth to the “leather” in many cars. I know that’s a bit odd, I guess we all have our hot buttons with cars. I won’t consider trading my 13 for a MKVII unless there is a cloth interior at some point.
That must have been some spirited driving, or the engine isn’t broken in yet. I have a 2004 Golf TDI auto and I still get average of 6.3L/100km (37mpg)
You also are driving a car with minimal emission controls, at least compared to a modern TDI. Current TDIs are always going to be less efficient than their predecessors due to the current emission requirements that make regens a necessity to keep the DPF from failing.
The fuel economy numbers have increased this year slightly due to the fact that all TDIs now require DEF. Best I’ve ever done in my 2012 Sportwagen is 43.7 on a long trip. In my old ALH TDIs I’d get 45-50 on a regular basis.
I guess it’s the price of progress… Although in the defense of modern diesels, I put my finger in my exhaust pipe the other day when I washed it and there was no soot on my finger. Try that with an ALH. :)
I also have a 12 sportwagen. On trips with the cruise set at 80 I get 39 mpg. Most of my driving is in town and even though I show it no mercy and drive it hard all the time, the damn thing refuses to get less than 30 mpg. Amazing little machine. BTW the stock Sachs shocks that came on 2012’s are junk. Replace them with Koni FSD’s and you will be amazed and the improvement in handling.
Diesel “tax” seems low, only $1,350 at the S level, $1,000 at SEL. Even then, it seems like more of an “I want a diesel” option than a money-saver. Even at the rated MPGs it’d take >100k miles to break even, right? Drive both gas and diesel and pick the one you like, I guess. I could see it going either way.
But $32k for an SEL? No way, not for me. I can see value at the lower trim levels but not up top. Optioning up an value model like this to AUDI-ish spec isn’t going to make me want it.
I’ve got a lot of seat time in both the new GTI and the new A3. While the fit+finish+materials in the Golf are good, the A3 definitely kicks things up a notch or three. Grab the A-pillar in the A3 and it will feel like it’s one solid piece with the interior panel feeling like it’s glued to, or part of the steel pillar. In the Golf you can definitely tell it’s an attached piece that gets snapped on – it doesn’t feel as solid.
The HVAC controls in the Golf are nice, but feel plasticky and lightweight, whereas the A3’s knobs have really nice taptics.
The Audi MMI system as compared to the current VW system is, without question, lightyears ahead. That said, the updated 6.5″ and rumored 8″ versions coming for MY2016 are substantially better.
If you’re comparing the GTI to the A3, the GTI definitely feels more fun. The A3, especially with the sport package, is a great ride, but a little bit too buttoned down and serious for my liking.
Now that all said, the real question people have to ask is whether those cosmetics, the slightly longer warranty, the (potentially) better dealership service experience and the brand cachet make the A3 the better buy, especially if you’re opting for the quattro model. Both cars have identical shoulder, leg and hip room, but the Golf feels substantially more ‘airy’ thanks to its higher roofline.
You can find 2.0T Quattro A3 Premium Plus and Prestige models certified pre-owned for $33-$37k right now. Unless you need the Golf’s utility, I think that the combination of the certified warranty, AWD and 2.0T make the CPO option a better deal.
Great write up. I recently drove the GTI, A3 1.8, and A3 2.0 quattro back-to-back-to-back. The Audi interiors are so nice, but where the Audis were extremely nice to drive, the GTI just felt so much more connected and responsive, even with the non-adjustable suspension.
When I had my 2012 Passat S with the 2.5 liter gas 5-cylinder and a 5-speed manual, I was consistently getting 36-38 mpg on long summer drives. And usually about 32-34 mpg in cold weather (below freezing, winter gas.)
With diesel fuel prices so much higher than regular unleaded, it does not make any sense at all to buy a diesel. Not in this country.
How did you manage that in a 2.5 Passat? I had one of those things as a loaner and I was astounded at how thirsty it was even when I was gentle with it.
My Passat was unbelievably fuel efficient for such an enormous car. I hated its ride and handling in everyday driving but for long family road trips it was superb.
since oil prices dropped, in southern NJ, regular and diesel are on par with each other. When gas was $3-4 a gallon diesel was running more than premium.
Wait until winter. Winterized diesel is very expensive.
Same here in Indiana. For a short time early in 2015, ULSD was almost a buck more per gallon than 87 octane regular. Now it’s actually 10 cents less than gasoline. A huge swing.
Yep, also the same in CO. Diesel is currently cheaper than regular and significantly cheaper than premium, but six months ago it was completely opposite.
FYI IN NJ Diesel is cheaper than RUG unleaded so it depends on where you live I guess. I paid $2.35 yesterday for Diesel full service , gotta love NJ for that, one of the issues with the computer vs. hand mileage is it takes a long time to fill a diesel, there is a lot of foam compared to RUG, so unless you take the extra few minutes to let the foam die it is near impossible to do a true fill up each time. Also Diesels have better range , a big plus to me and they have better resale than their gas counterparts.
I had forgotten but a friend pointed out that until recently the wagon in the lineup was a Jetta wagon; renamed the Golf wagon with the new generation.
I wonder how many sales are of the hatchback and how many are of the wagon.
They are nice sales numbers for VW either way but it would be interesting to see them broken out.
As far as I know, the wagon was always a Golf model everywhere but in the US, where it became part of the more popular Jetta line.
That’s very true. I agree, as far as I’m concerned it’s always been a Golf.
But it’s US sales numbers that were quoted and it’s the US where the name was just changed.
I see a lot of vw’s on the side of the road with the hood up.
Is this a safety feature?
I have 110,000 on my 2011 VW and it has never left me on the side of the road in the 4 years since I bought it new, it is not a Honda but that is pretty good .
I don’t.
Is this a fun meme to troll with?
For me its recent Chryslers, just saw a brand new Cherokee getting towed somewhere.
So Mr. Steve Lynch are you ever gonna talk about things besides Golfs again? Do VW products still smell like crayons when you park them in the sun?
Also, I find the current Golf interior a mass of unrelenting grey. There’s no trim bits to break up the grey-ness. Needs wood. And window tints especially for you, a desert dweller.
This I would agree with, not sure if the new ones have this setup but my 2011 I have a beige interior and it does break things up a lot, it is sort of a two tone dash, the down side is it is a light interior so it shows dirt pretty easy but I figured with the big sun roof a dark interior would be to hot.
I miss the 90’s when VAG would give you some nice cream and black together.
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2012/02/07/00/42/1993_audi_90_4_dr_cs_sedan-pic-4263314216625872455.jpeg
“Do VW products still smell like crayons when you park them in the sun?”
No.
I think that ended with the MkV in 2005. I rode in a coworker’s mid-90s Jetta some years ago (parked in the Arizona sun and fully fragrant because of it) and that crayon smell made me nauseous.
Good, it’s a nasty smell. It was always there in my sister’s 02 Jetta. She denied it smelled like crayons, but I KNEW.
See, poor kids were lucky to get an occasional 8-box of crayons, never the 64-box with the sharpener in the back.
I love how crayons smell.
*sigh* Cornflower Blue
My mom would never spring for that, even though the sharpener was a new thing, and THE thing to have. She said 24 colors was “more than she ever had,” and it was enough. Also the required supplies list from the school only indicated the 8-pack.
I’m sure I cried at some point.
“I love how crayons smell”
You still wouldn’t love how those VWs smelled. It’s not like a fresh Crayola being fervently scribbled across the page by your cute toddler.
It’s the nasty off-brand crayon you found lurking deep in the heat register after collecting years of stale household dust.
A stale, peach colored Roseart crayon. Lying amongst the shattered bits of tortilla shell and misplaced hairs.
All slumber peacefully; at rest in the rear side storage cubby of a 1999 Caravan Sport.
Eww.. so, Crayon Musk.
OK, no thanks.
They smelled like crayon and on hot days the sound deadener in the doors would melt and run out of the door drains onto the rocker panels.
A friend is experiencing repeated and expensive mechanical failures on his ~2000 Jetta, the stereotypical MkIV nightmare story. I’ll have to ask him about the sound deadener, that would be the melted hydrocarbon cherry on top of the sundae.
So that’s what that was. Thanks for posting this, I have always wondered.
Actually during model year change time the pickings are slim at my local press car company so you take what you can get. I am in an Expedition this week.
Not sure if is a crayon smell but there is a unique odor!
My two-tone heart be still! Hopefully it’s an upper trim Limited or King Ranch.
Alas, only the Platinum edition.
That’s a real thing? I thought Titanium was still tops. I saw some tacky-ed up F-series the other day with chrome “Platinum” badges, and figured they had to come from PepBoys.
Of course, most Fords are looking that way to me (looking at you, Escape, with your ugly little fender vents).
Do you have to add DEF? If so, how many starts until a no start when near refill? How is the upshift on climbing a grade? Does it seem delayed?
I do not recall upshifts being delayed on grades but passing power is a bit weak in that situation.
Adblue is to be added every 10,000 miles or each year or whichever comes first.
This is forseeable…all of the reviewers say to get the GTI in the base model, because most of the goodness is in there, but that’s also what makes it worth getting the car more optioned-out…because you’re building on a good base.
So you got the base 2-door, and now you’re wishing you got the 4-door with the better headlights and a sunroof.
In AZ, a white car is nice, but a white car with a sunroof is better…it extends the non-A/C driving season because it vents the car better, you can leave it parked with the rear edge of the sunroof kicked up so that it stays cooler (inside sunshade has louvers in it), then when you first get into it, you open it wide and it gives the A/C a huge boost by venting all the hottest air within about 15 seconds.
I’m going to say that the speedo is slow. Reason being is European car regulations don’t allow the speedo to every read above the actual speed. As a result the speed is slow as its must never show even a tiny bit above the actual speed throughout the whole speedo range.
Odly enough fmvss has no regulations on how accurate or inaccurate a speedometer should be for whatever reason.
“…the TDI’s biggest glitch: a hesitation followed by a too-sudden drivetrain engagement, enough to squeal the tires at three-fourth’s throttle.”
I’ve noticed that in 2 of the 3 VW w/DSGs I’ve driven and it pisses me off to no end. In the Mk6 GTI I scorched the crosswalk at a light because the throttle response was DEAD for the first half second or so then came to life abruptly and broke the tires loose. Downshifts on the move were pretty laggardly too. The Mk7 was much better, not sure why the disparity exists.
The DSG may be a trackday wizard (odd it’s in a TDI, then), but for normal street driving I’ll gladly take a Camry’s 6spd torque converter auto. At least the responses are linear and predictable.
Oops, used a naughty word and got my comment put in moderation limbo, so here’s try two:
“…the TDI’s biggest glitch: a hesitation followed by a too-sudden drivetrain engagement, enough to squeal the tires at three-fourth’s throttle.”
I’ve noticed that in 2 of the 3 VW w/DSGs I’ve driven and it *irritates* me to no end. In the Mk6 GTI I scorched the crosswalk at a light because the throttle response was DEAD for the first half second or so then came to life abruptly and broke the tires loose. Downshifts on the move were pretty laggardly too. The Mk7 was much better, not sure why the disparity exists.
The DSG may be a trackday wizard (odd it’s in a TDI, then), but for normal street driving I’ll gladly take a Camry’s 6spd torque converter auto. At least the responses are linear and predictable.
You can say that again!
Have driven the TDI for more than 3 years, yes, as you said, some hesitation, but have you shifted vs leaving it in automatic? The shifting has shown none of the issues that the automatic starts have..
So use to it now and rarely squeal the tires. Part of the squealing now is .. tires need to be replaced.. close to the wear bars after nearly 50k.
Took me about four starts on my first DSG to remember that the clutch has to auto-engage from a dead stop. That takes about a half-second. If you expect it to be engaged from a dead stop, you’ve not thought out how it works. Come off the brake pedal a little early, the clutch will start to engage even at idle revs, and by the time you gas it, all’s well.
Makes for tricky backwards and forwards maneuvering when parking, though, waiting for that darn clutch each time you go from R to D. You’d think Acura’s version with a torque converter would be better at parking, but it takes its own sweet time just selecting either R or D. OTOH, just driving off from a stop sign, there is no lag.
The DSG in my 2013 CC can be a laggy bastard at times, especially when cold. Once moving it’s lightning fast but pulling away from a stop…meh. I’m not a huge fan.
Wait, I have go to the top line model to get a flippin’ keyless entry? Or is that just the whoopee ‘don’t have to dig out the key to mash the unlock button’ entry?
Yes, pretty much all VWs except the cheapest Jettas have keyless entry, but the keyless start and all that is only on top-level Golfs.
Pity. How did I ever live with the task of finding my key and inserting it correctly?
All joking aside, I love keyless go. One of the best unexpected features in my Outback.
I love keyless- when it works, but two of my cars with keyless entry had power lock problems starting when they were about five years old… and then I have mixed feelings about keyless. Yes, my relationship with keyless entry is “it’s complicated.”
Thanks for the interesting and even-handed review of a car many of us might actually afford.
Speaking of German cars, commenters, am I the only reader who finds reviews of BMWs and other high-priced Teutonic rides by a certain New York Times reviewer (actually, at this point he’s the only car reviewer there) fawning and embarrassing in the extreme? How somebody who’s been around so long be so gee whiz?
We have a ’15, an SE (mid-level) model, with 6-speed manual. Ordered it when they first came out last fall, and waited about 4 months for it. Wanted specific color, manual, SE, lighting package (which is spectacular and a must-have option). On a trip from Phoenix to south of Tucson this past weekend, the trip computer indicated 47.5 mpg on the way down (climbing from about 1200 ft altitude locally to about 4500 at destination) and 50.3 coming home. Haven’t taken a “real” measure but it’s easy to believe those numbers are optimistic. Even if they’re 3 mpg high, that’s still outstanding, for doing 75-80 the entire way, with the AC blasting the entire time.
No problem getting the 6MT off the line, but where the lag is, is upon shifting to 2nd. There’s turbo lag there and it’s annoying when accelerating in traffic. Other than that, it’s a joy to drive, and is one of the best screwed-together cars I’ve ever seen – body panels, interior panels, paint quality, etc., are all world class. The Puebla assembly plant seems to really have their act together nowadays.
The review should have mentioned that unlike gas powered Golfs, the TDI has a rigid rear axle, apparently due to the AdBlue tank taking up some extra space back there.
So, is everyone okay with the Puebla and/or VW’s decision to go/build south? My TDI was built in Wolfsburg and really prefer a car out of Germany vs what “maybe” happening in Mexico. If they can guarantee the suppliers are the same and VW is not substituting inferior products, then would consider purchasing again.
How difficult is it to order a VW from Germany vs Mexico? I would pay a little more to get some Euro features and wait for the car 4-8 months is not a big deal.
KevinC – You’re correct, and all Sportwagons, regardless of fuel type, heve a solid rear axle.
That’s not true. 2015 1.8 TSI Sportwagens have multilink IRS. Only the TDI has the torsion beam because of the location of the urea tank.
Variant,
I got my info from the VW website. Perhaps it’s incorrect but here is the link to the site:
http://www.vw.com/models/golf-sportwagen/trims/2015/1-8t-sel-trim/