- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.4T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
110kW, 250Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 5.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2013)
2017 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Trendline new car review
The Volkswagen Golf is one of the most popular cars in the world. And with good reason.
It is one of the nicest to drive and best presented offerings in the booming small car market. But in the fast paced automotive landscape if you're not moving forward you're falling behind.
It's been only four years since the seventh generation Golf hit showrooms, which is too soon for an all-new model. So the company has done the next best thing and given the car a major mid-life upgrade and called it Generation 7.5.
The upgrade brings restyled front and rear bumpers and lights and the introduction of new technology - such as the Active Info Display - on selected models.
Volkswagen Australia has opted to skip a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine available in Europe and stick with the 1.4-litre unit. So the changes to the Golf 110TSI Trendline we're testing here aren't as comprehensive as they could be. But are they enough to keep the German hatch near the pointy end of the highly competitive small car field?
What do you get?
Volkswagen has ditched the previous model's 92kW entry-level model and instead offers the 110TSI as its primary engine for the Golf 7.5 range; but there is a 110kW diesel option as well.
There are four trim levels - the standard Golf, Trendline, Comfortline and Highline - for the petrol range.
We're driving the Trendline model which is priced from $24,990 for the six-speed manual and $27,490 for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. But until the end of September Volkswagen is doing drive-away deals, so you'll pay $25,490 for the manual and $27,990 for the auto.
For those prices you get 17-inch alloy wheels, manual air-conditioning, cruise control, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, an 8.0-inch capacitive infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, CD player and an eight-speaker sound system.
It also includes air-bag protection for all occupants and autonomous emergency braking as standard.
However, what's missing is in-built navigation and many other active safety feature that are becoming increasingly common in this segment.
However, you can add them as part of the Driver Assistance package for an extra $1500 that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and VW's Park Assist (that can semi-autonomously park the car).
Volkswagen offers capped price servicing for the new Golf range and over the first three years you'll be paying $1223 to keep your Trendline maintained.
What's inside?
It's much the same as it was before inside the Golf 7.5, with the exception being the new infotainment screen. The new capacitive screen allows you to pinch-to-zoom like a smartphone, and the new look is step forward.
But the effect of the new haptic buttons and glossy finish are lessened slightly by the carry-over volume and tuning knobs, which look like low-tech add ons to an otherwise hi-tech new system.
The functionality and interface remains much the same as the old model, but that's good because the Golf has always had one of the better infotainment systems.
The rest of the cabin will be familiar to anyone who has driven a Golf 7. The layout and materials are the same simple but good quality ones used previously. The fit and finish is good too, near the top of the small car class.
Small item storage and space for occupants up front is among the best in the class and back seat passengers get comfortable seats and more-than-adequate head and legroom.
Unfortunately some of the new Golf's best new tricks, such as the adoption of VW's Active Info Display (digital dashboard) and gesture controls for the infotainment system are restricted to the optioned-up Highline model.
Under the bonnet
As mentioned earlier Volkswagen Australia has stuck with the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine from the Golf 7 for this updated model.
It produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. Because peak pulling power is available from just 1500rpm it feels strong all the time.
It's a smooth and refined petrol engine that feels well suited to powering the Golf, never being unduly laboured and is capable of cruising at low revs or revving hard when performance is needed.
It's ably assisted by the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While it still has some of the low-speed hesitation common with this type it is hard to fault on the move. The shifts are smooth and it is well calibrated to get the best out of the engine. For example, it will hold gears on a decline longer than most torque converter autos to take advantage of the engine braking.
The combination results in a claimed fuel economy figure of 5.4-litres per 100km. And while some may doubt the real world efficiency of turbo engines we did a day's worth of driving in both urban, country roads and some freeway and saw 5.5L/100km on the trip computer.
On the road
Volkswagen left the ride and handling of the Golf alone - and rightly so, as it has always been at, or at least very near, the top of the small car segment in terms of driving dynamics.
It is a naturally sporty hatch, with a firm ride and positive steering and a responsive chassis that makes it enjoyable to drive on the open road.
While the suspension is stiffer than some of its rivals it isn't too taunt, retaining enough compliance to make it comfortable to live with around pockmarked urban roads.
Verdict
The changes to Golf 7.5 are very minor, particularly in Australia where we miss out on the new engine, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The Golf didn't need many changes because it was and still is one of the best small cars on the market. The engine is one of the best in class, offering great performance in a smooth and refined manner while still being impressively efficient. Plus it is one of the nicest small cars to drive.
Add to that a new infotainment system that looks better, along with the current drive-away pricing offer, and the latest Golf is more appealing than ever before.
2017 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Trendline pricing and specifications
Price: From $27,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 110kW at 5000-6000rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 1500-3500rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 5.4L/100km
The Competitors
Hyundai i30 SR
Price: From $25,950 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 150kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 7.5L/100km
Our score: 7.5/10
Mazda3 Touring
Price: From $25,400 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 114kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 5.7L/100km
Our score: 6.5/10
Toyota Corolla SX
Price: From $26,000 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 103kW at 6400rpm
Torque: 173Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: CVT, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.1L/100km
Our score: 6/10