2008 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI vs TDI review
1 May, 2008
34 Comments 
2008 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI vs TDI review
Models Tested:
- 2008 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI DSG - $37,290 (RRP)
- 2008 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TDI DSG - $39,790 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint (on grey TDI) $690; Leather seats (on red TSI) $2990
Two outstanding drivetrains, brilliant chassis, room, practicality, ride/handling balance
TSI not quite as good with DSG, which one to pick?
CarAdvice Rating: 
(Petrol & Diesel)
- by Karl Peskett
Photography by Anthony Crawford and Karl Peskett
So this is where it gets really interesting.
You take your standard Mk V Golf, whack in 15mm lower suspension, stickier tyres with new wheels, tweak the chassis a bit, add larger brakes and stick on a GT badge. Now, you have a Golf GT. But that’s not all.
Using a supercharger and a turbocharger, Volkswagen has accounted for the best of both worlds, in 1.4 TSI guise. At 125kW and 240Nm, it’s a pearler of an engine. But it gets better. You also have the choice of a turbo diesel 2-litre which belts out 125kW as well, and a stump-pulling 350Nm from 1750rpm.
So, which to choose? Hmmm…this isn’t going to be easy.
CarAdvice staff gathered in Sydney for the verdict.
Location: Home / Volkswagen, Behind the Wheel / ...
Rate Post: 
(12 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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May 1st, 2008 at 10:39 am
Well, if I hadn’t bought 2 years ago, I’d still go the diesel.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:08 am
Nice comparison, thanks! I’m sure most GT buyers would probably consider both engines.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
No mention of fuel use on test.
Imagine the TSI 1.4 is a false economy. Little motor that performs like a bigger motor but also drinks like a bigger motor. What is the point again?
Me i’d take the diesel too.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:13 am
Did i miss something or is the verdict missing???? also could we have the fuel consumptions for both???
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hi Carl.
Something has happened with the article.
I’ll get it sorted.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:26 am
Karl….Thanx mate!
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Trackdaze, The fuel ecomomy on the TSI is 7.7L to 100km combined, with performance of 0-100 in 7.7s. Not bad for a sports model don’t you think. However the TDI goes from 0-100km in 8.2s with an economy of 6.6l to 100km.
True these cars are not lightning quick, but they are the hot hatches to get if you want to stay green.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
P.S I would personaly choose TDI. The better handling is what swayed me.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:54 am
Jimbo,
Im not doubting the little TSI’s ability as a drivers car. & VW have to be comended for bringing the technology to the masses (twin charging has been on big trucks for some time). It’s just that I can’t help but think the same (if not more)would have been achievable with a downsized 2.0TFSI lets say 1.8.
Its worth noting the 1.6turbo’s from Mini & Peugot produce the same numbers out & return the same or better economy without the added complexity.
Having said all this the technology probably better suits application to the Diesel (as in the prime movers) That’d be something. Torque from zero revs from the supercharger and a bigger turbo for better power up high….& excellent economy.
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May 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
its not all about maximum kw or torque, you may get 90% of power from lower revs making it more useable
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May 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Trackdaze,
Your right, less complexity for the same performance is much more logical. Plus it will keep costs down such as maintanence and insurance.
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May 1st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Is it BigBrother or Houdini?
Cheers
F-0
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May 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Frugal-One - whilst we appreciate much of your comment, can you please post sensible comment on the cars themselves.
With thanks
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May 1st, 2008 at 7:20 pm
And the diesel does it again.
sorry couldn’t help myself there. Bear in mind the VW is the last generation of the direct injection, soon to be common rail injection due to VW not being able to meet emission controls to Euro 5 requirements. A direct injection motor is somewhat noisier than a common rail so driving noise will be reduced somewhat when these are released. Thats a fine motor the 1.4TSI pretty economical to but i’ve heard its a bit harsh at times.
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May 1st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
ive got the gt tdi and have also driven the tsi. just a few things to note that numbers on pages dont tell you. the tsi is slower in-gear than the tdi. the reason for the quicker 0-100 time is that the tsi reaches 100 in 2nd whereas you need to shift to third in the tdi. the longer gearing of the tsi makes it easier to drive everyday if you’re a manual transmission disciple (as i am). also, the gt and gti golfs are waaaaaay too rolly polly from the factory for me. they need bigger front and rear stabiliser bars in my opinion. however i really believe my gt tdi is the best daily driver on the market today, regardless of money. its fun to drive, fairly quickish, has space for 4 full size adults and their luggage, is easy to park and i dont have to sell it when i have kids
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May 1st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
More food for thought:
Load up the car and the TSI becomes gutless and lethargic. It’s 0-100 is quoted when empty save the driver. How many people don’t carry anything???
Load up the TDI and its performance loss is almost unnoticeable (love them torqs!)
I don’t really follow Mischa’s talk of gear changes - the DSG changes gears in 0.04 of a second and keeps the TDI in the thick of the torque band.
I just love VWAG’s diesel technology, come on you Japanese manufacturers - catch up!
Biggest drawback for the diesel - $1.60 a litre is now common!
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May 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
With only 1.1 l/100km difference, there’s a chance the diesel may cost more to maintain. Obviously, fuel is more expensive, and if you factor in the spare parts, which are also more costly in diesel cars, the oil burner alternative may be a hard argument.
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May 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
My concern with the TSI is longevity. We don’t have any models with 100,000 K’s plus to see the reliability of such a small yet ferocious engine.
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May 3rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Awesome article, and spot on opinions.
Funnily enough I had a guy ask me this morning about my GT TDI. He too was tossing up between these two models. I understood all too well his dilemma. I will be putting him onto this very article.
I went in to buy a TSI as the technology impressed me, but one drive of the oiler, and wow, I was sold. And I stepped out of a FPV GT Ford. The real world driving performance of either is indeed amazing.
And it’s a real tough choice.
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May 3rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
If the GT TDI has a weakness it is that is so closely priced to the GTI. I tested a GT TDI today with DSG and the diesel engine and DSG were perfectly matched, and while I acknowledge that not all TDI buyers would be considering the GTI as well, the GTI is a better driver’s car, as you’d expect. The GT definitely has more pickup at town speeds, and there is the fuel economy benefits, too. But I’d say most people that can afford to pay 40-ish driveaway for a GT, could stretch the extra few K for a GTI, which in itself can be driven very economically. We’ve taken ours from Canberra to Sydney and back with an indicated consumption under 7l/100km (cruise set to indicated 115-120km/h), and while the diesel may do it in 5-6l/100km or less, the GTI is hardly guzzling the fuel.
That said, if you wanted a solid all round car, the GT TDI is damn hard to beat. Not as focused in the twisties, but certainly not embarrassed by any stretch.
Great to see Volkswagen remedy the faults of the Mk4, which was still a pretty reasonable car, in such a successful way. I hope the Mk6 follows suit and raises the bar once again.
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May 6th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Another factor that many fail to consider are how dirty many diesels still are - although diesels generally emit less CO2 than a petrol equivalent, particulates and NOx emmisions are much worse.
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May 6th, 2008 at 9:05 am
If the driving were typically stop-start city/urban motoring - up to the shops, school and other such short trips - would the better pick up from low revs of the TSI tip the balance in its favour over the GT TDI?
The authors, who appear to have been fanging around semi-urban roads such as West Head etc, did not say.
If “Villiers” is right about the TSI suffering under load, as might be expected, I would be concerned as I am after a car to carry 4 + pooch.
Currently I am tossing up between a TSI and a GTI (about to cancel my GT TDI (manual) order after deciding we could not live with the dead zone from rest to 1750).
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May 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Anti-spam is BMWM3, woohoo!
How about a comparison of 320i and 320d, or X5 3.0si and 3.0sd, or all 4 cars?!
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May 8th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
City driving in Brisbane has returned 6.8l/100k from our TSI for the first 5,500klm. The car was not purchased for economy but has been great on fuel.It is a manual version. I couldnt see the point of the diesel after the experience of a bad tank of fuel cost me $4,500 on a small diesel 10 years ago.
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May 9th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Lindz, the standards of refining diesel have improved remarkably, it would be very bad luck to encounter the same issue today. Those fuel figures you have are very impressive, can you let us know how they go over the next 5000ks? How do you find it’s performance when it’s fully laden?
Jonathon, can I suggest you try to test drive another TDI?
I know there is some turbo lag with them, but what you are describing sounds more like a car with issues as opposed to lag.
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May 11th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Great article and the reader comments have been a great read so thanks.
I’m in the market now for a GT TDI or a GTI. It’s hard not to stretch that extra few thousand dollars but is the benefit really there?
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May 20th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
about to get 2.0 TDi DSG (not GT).. but really tempted to get the GT after reading this article. is t worth the extra 5k? by the way, how much do you guys pay for the GT, driveaway? Thanks.
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May 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
All three of the sportier 4 cylinder golfs are great choices. I went in to buy a techno TSI, just drive the legendary GTI and didn’t even consider the oiler. I found the TSI to drive like a bigger engined car, quite smooth overall, felt a lot like my mum’s honda. The GTI was sheer go-cart, effortless lazy power, awesome finish and drive, but I found the suspension just too harsh. The dealer talked me into a TDI drive, and one shot of boost and I was grinning like a kid. I can see however that most won’t be thrilled with the on-off power delivery, whereas i was!
In the end I love the jeckyl and hyde nature, the fact that my manual TDI is dead level with an XR6 or SV6 auto in a traffic light drag, and has returned an average of 6.5L per hundered for the last 7000k’s from new. And I drive it hard. I get about that overall combined, and into the lower 5’s on the highway. $’s would be feasable, but I love the power too much!
In the end, for me, it’s the fact that I fill up ( ouch these days ) and get to drive my usual 850km’s out of the tank like clockwork. Diesel is expensive, but I am at the bowser a whole lot less!
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May 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Still loving mine too, Greg. Which engine did you get?
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June 3rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
im in the same dilema as you Troy. very inclined to get the 2.0 TDI but considering GT DSG at the moment -still working out on the drive away price with the dealer at Barloworld. Has anyone got a figure to compare -for GT Sports TDI with out any options.
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June 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Had the TDI for about 15 months. cant fault it, except diesel costs about $1.80 in Manly.
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June 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Took delivery of a GT Sport Tdi in Feb. Very pleased with the car overall. However I was a bit disappointed to see that the car has been placarded by VW against using Bio D, under threat of voiding the warranty! Can anyone enlighten me? I believe most diesel in Europe is a 10% bio blend, so why the difference here. The way things appear to be heading these days, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bio becomes the cheaper option.
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June 25th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I have owned a GT TDI with the DSG since Feb this year, (My first VW, before this I was totally sold on XR6’s) I test drove most 2 lt cars and had set around a $40000 limit. I was after economy but did not want to sacrifice power or comfort. I was about to order the new Ford Mondeo Diesel and the Golf was the last car I tested, just to really see what it was like without any pre-conceived ideas. Talk about blown away, Now After owning the Golf for 4 months and 13000ks, what a car, not the least bit disappointed. Commuting from the country to Melbourne I get an average 5.6 l/100km with 3 adults on board, I love the seats and pickup and learn to ignore the slight turbo lag. I preferred the GTI but decided on the TDI for the economy and resale since I will do more than 100000kms over the next 3 years.
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July 12th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Bought my 08 gt tdi late april, and like many of you here have found no fault in this machine thus far (bar from the ridiculous price of diesel @ the moment). however, for those who want a smile on their faces after you switch this thing into second and feel yourself taking-off like a rocket with the greatest of ease, even though you have 4 occupants and a load of gear in the boot, this is certainly your car to pick. took it down to wagga recently and i swear to you that it could might as-well have just run on a damp oiled cloth, a little over 450 or so km’s it used to get back and it still had more than 650km left on the fuel reader that i used to run around sydney that following week. brilliant! also, in addition… try to get a corporate or fleet price when haggling for the ‘driveaway’ of this car, VW will try and arrange this for you, over-all and with my trade-in it took around 10k off the price of mine and afforded me the leather seats. which are most brilliant!
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