TEST DRIVE: THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.4TSI Mk7 - The Mr Spock of hatchbacks

The Volkswagen Golf is a car that has become an automotive icon. Over in Europe the car defines a genre and is the benchmark that others either follow or try to beat when engineering a hatchback. However over here, things are just warming up as any real Golf presence came about sometime after 2004 when the Golf Mk5 was officially imported. Prior to this we had Auto Dunia importing Volkswagens but somehow they must have done it wrong as not many people were enraptured by Volkswagens. These days, there are more Golfs than before and now in its Mk7 model, the current Golf carries on the legacy (and whatever reputation the previous models have; good or bad).

The Golf 1.4TSI that we're testing here is the most 'entry-level' Golf in Malaysia. It sits on the Volkswagen's MQB platform which actually comes in all shapes and sizes – from the Audi A3, this Golf, the Skoda Octavia, the upcoming Audi TT, the VW Tiguan and Touran. Of course this means a whole lot of platform sharing and cost savings for Volkswagen. Does this mean that the Golf is either as good as an Audi A3? In some ways it is, but note that this is a Volkswagen, and it therefore has its part to play in the VW Group picture.

The Mk7 Golf is like the previous Golf that came before it, and before that. This basically means that it is evolution taking its course. One could imagine the Mk1 Golf as an energetic kid who is is junior school, the Mk2 Golf as a strapping and fit teenager who grew into the Mk3. This chap was quite fit and nimble too but somehow by the Mk4 started taking too much sweets, chocolates and got too chubby for its own good (even the GTI was slow and overweight). This fat bloke then went on a diet, but not too much and became the Mk5 which in the GTI form was like a stout but agile fella due to its turbocharged 2.0liter. This bloke then decided that losing weight was a good thing and by the Mk6 things started looking promising. It was so promising that by the Mk7 the Golf was wider and lower and lighter. It was longer too but weighed up to 100kg lighter on average, model to model.

But even whilst this was happening, the Golf was still recognisably a Golf. Its DNA was intact even with that very positive weight loss and slightly different design cues. Evolution has taken its course and I have to say that this is the best looking Golf since the Mk2. It is still slightly plain to look at compared to, say an Audi A3 or even a Mazda 3. This is especially so to those that grew up wanting swollen wheel arches, spoilers and that very Japanese look Malaysians tend to love. Maybe the Golf could do with a little more bling, eh?

The Engine & Drivetrain

Now getting under the skin, the Golf 1.4TSI has 140hp and 240Nm torque from its 1.4liter turbocharged engine. This is no longer twin charged like the current Jetta (which is based on the Mk6 Golf) or the Polo GTI. The engine is very tractable and pulls strongly from around 1,500rpm and does not feel like it radiates as much engine heat as the TwinCharged variants. It also feels the most sorted out DSG drivetrain out there. And may be the DSG equipped car to get due to less heat soak and a more sorted out gearbox. You can read more about this below.

There is a fuel saving Start-Stop function in the Golf, if you don't like the jolt of an engine starting up everytime it stops in traffic then you have to automatically tell yourself to turn it off (a switch beside the gear shift) everytime you start the car. This isn't something so atrocious as even most Mercedes Benz Blue Efficiency models come with this function. All this eco-friendly stuff is there to ensure the car companies lower their CO2 emissions over in Europe where things are stricter than here. This is the near future and like electrically assisted power steerings, are here to stay.

The car, according to what I have researched has MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. If you had more than 148hp, Volkswagen would give the Golf a multi-link setup (which the GTI has). But does it feel like a compromise? I'll get to this during the driving part below too.

The Interior

As for the interior build, material and trim, the Golf 14TSI is solidly built. It is a little plain in its execution but the ergonomics are above average with some tiny switchgear on the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself is actually impressive to the touch and how it looks. There are soft touch materials used throughout the cabin and compared to the Mk6, it gets things closer to Audi than before. Minus most of the the bling though. Yes, things are a little austere and slightly bland here in the Golf but again, I must insist that the fit and finish is good with some nice touches like that BMW-esque angled to the driver center console. And it does look better in the photos than in real life. It has a plainer look in the flesh, or plastic, metal, or whatever.

 I suppose with Volkswagens you know they fill a spot in the vast VW Group range of cars. More bling is kept for the other brand called Audi. Anyway, the large touch screen radio has quite good sound and quite easy to use. Quite. Not extremely easy mind you. Oh, the park brake is now electrically operated and is only a switch to the rear of the gear lever. Very upscale in this category. It does have that annoying lack of an 'Auto Up-Down' for all of its windows. One must hold on to the power window switch for both up and down.

Driving the Darn Thing

Driving position is good and you get comfortable easily with everything within easy reach. Once on the move you'd notice that the car is bloody quiet for what is supposed to be a small family hatchback. So much so that the noise generated from the Bridgestone tyres are audible whilst on the move on most rough road surfaces. The Mk6 I drove before had this feeling too, I suppose this is down to the Golf being extremely refined for its class. Aside from that, everything seemed sorted and if you're cruising down the highway at the national speed limit, you'd think that this car is as refined as something larger and more expensive.

Everything feels cohesive when you drive the Golf in and around town. The steering is nicely weighted and its gearing seems spot on for those U turns. At higher than usual speeds, the Golf exhibits good ride and handling. Even on the standard 16 inch wheels it feels planted and secure. Unlike the previous Mk6 Golf which seemed floaty and a totally lacking in feel. Very predictable is the word. It may have that superfast steering as the Citroen DS4 I drove earlier, but everything feels better gelled together. The correct weight, correct steering ratio and the fact that its good to the touch. If you're wanting more steering feel (not weight, but feel), the Golf is more about accuracy than actually feeling every pebble or ripple on the road. I could live with it.

Drive it with gusto and you'd be impressed by the effortless performance of the 14liter turbocharged engine as well as the 7 speed dry clutch DSG. It is so much more smoother and its power delivery is good with things moving at an early 1,500rpm. The gearbox must have been tweaked by VW compared to the Mk6 Golf and even the Polo GTI. It does not have that slightly raw feeling when you've just started moving. The whole powertrain feels like the wet type clutch DSG from the Golf GTI or the Audi TT. Throttle feel is so much more improved compared to those that use the DSG and the previous TwinCharged 1.4 liter unit too. 

I believe this Mk7 Golf has the most sorted out DSG of all of its cars that are 1.8liters and below. It may actually be pretty reliable too due to this re-engineering and as stated above, the cooler feeling engine bay compared to the TwinCharge variants previously. One can accelerate from nought to 100kmh in about 8.4seconds and it'll even hit 200kmh easily if you want it to. If you're attacking the road, that DSG as well as the engine gives it all its got and will hold nothing back. There is a slightly empty throttle pedal feel, but this is most probably the standard characteristics of a small capacity engine, with drive by wire accelerator pedal coupled with a DSG transmission. But everything will feel light and breezy to most ordinary drivers.

On the point of whether or not the torsion bar makes a difference compared to a multi link I have to state that in this 14TSI form it is more than adequate. It rides well at all speeds, soaks up bumps and is actually quite good in corners or handling even on rough roads. For the tyre size and the power of the car, it feels sorted, unlike the beam axle used in some Peugeots or Citroens I've driven so far.

This may be the most efficient hatchback in Malaysia is this car. But, the drawback to all of this 'goodness' and efficiency on the roads is that the car feels a little clinical overall. The Golf is well built, has impressive refinement, practical, decent performance, very fuel efficient (less than 8.5liters per 100km is darn impressive). It does everything its supposed to do well but because of this is falls into the realm of being utterly clinical. There is little or no art in how it achieves this high level of efficiency. It is science. Now this isn't a bad thing if you want something that is more logical than emotional. Like Mr Spock of Star Trek, logic and efficiency has a place in the universe.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI Mk7 Specifications

Base Price: From RM159,888 (without insurance)

Body: 5-door Hatchback
Mechanical Orientation: Front Wheel Drive

Engine: 4 cylinder 16 valve fuel injected 1.4-litre Turbocharged
Power: 140hp (6000rpm)
Torque: 240 NM (1400rpm)
Transmission: 7 speed Dual Clutch Gearbox

Weight: 1360kg

0-100 km/h: 8.4 seconds (tested)
Top Speed: 212kmh (manufacturer's claim)

Fuel Consumption: I got an average of around 8.3ltr/100km even after really going for it.

For: An all rounder, comfortable ride, overall refinement, very predictable handling, nicely weighted and accurate steering, performance from the 1.4 turbo more than adequate and refined, DSG gearbox smoothest to date, ergonomic interior, best looking Golf in a long time

Against: Slightly clinical or soulless, no auto-down/up for the driver's side window, some tyre roar (probably due to the overall quietness of the cabin – good tyres is a must), best looking Golf in a long time but it still a Golf – which means it is styled very conservatively – VW needs to go a little crazy.

Conclusion: The Mr Spock of all hatchbacks. An all rounder and what every C-segment hatchback ought to be. A tad bit clinical in terms of its too simple looks and how it feels is the only true fault. However, a Petrolhead would be more at home with either a Polo GTI or even the faster Golf GTI than this. For the average human being without petrol in their veins, this Golf 14 TSI would be the perfect car for them. 

Complete Specifications (courtesy of  VW Malaysia)

Engine & Gearbox

1.4L 140PS TSI turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder petrol engine

7-speed direct shift gearbox DSG

Engine Start/Stop system with regenerative braking

Interior

380 litres of luggage compartment space

5.8” ‘Composition Media’ colour touch screen radio with USB, AUX-In and SD card slot, and 8 speakers with Bluetooth connection

60:40 split folding rear seat backrest with load-through provision and centre armrest, 2-cup holders

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Chrome interior package

‘Climatronic’ air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control

Cruise control with speed limiter

‘Dark silver-brushed’ decorative inserts on dashboard and centre console

Drawer compartments under front seats

Electronic parking brake with auto hold function

Front centre armrest with storage box

Front seats with lumbar supports

Glove compartment with cooling system

Leather 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with paddle shift control

Leather gear shift knob

Multi-function display ‘Plus’

Overhead storage compartment with lid

Rear air vents

Seat upholstery in ‘Zoom/Merlin’ fabric

Exterior

Auto headlight activation with ‘Leaving Home’ and manual ‘Coming Home’ function

Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights

Chrome grille

‘Dover’ alloy wheels – 16” x 6.5J, tires – 205/55 R16

Dynamic headlight range-adjustment with dynamic bending light

Electrically foldable and adjustable exterior mirror, with environment lighting and curb view

Front fog lights with cornering lights

Heat-insulating green tinted glass

Rear fog lights

Safety

3-point seat belts for all 5 seats

Anti-lock braking system ABS with brake assist BA

Anti-theft alarm system with tilt and interior motion sensor

Curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front

Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag deactivation, including knee airbag on driver’s side

Electronic stabilisation control ESC

Extended electronic differential lock XDS

Flat tyre indicator

ISOFIX anchorage system for child seat

Multi-collision brake system

Park distance control (front & rear)

Rain sensor

Safety-optimised front head restraints