Volkswagen Golf Review, Specs & Performance

Volkswagen Golf in a nutshell

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

There's a wide range of engines for the eighth generation Volkswagen Golf with a 1.5-litre TSI unit producing either 127bhp or 148bhp to deliver great car leasing performance.

The impressive 1.0-litre TSI engine producing 108bhp is good for everyday use, while the eTSI mild-hybrid producing 148bhp offers impressive levels of performance, aided by an electric motor.

The 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit which produces either 113bhp or 148bhp delivers smooth performance.

There's also the VW Golf GTE which is a plug-in hybrid that is easy to live with. The 1.4-litre petrol engine combines with an electric motor to deliver 242bhp for a 0 to 62 mph sprint time of 6.7 seconds.

The Golf uses either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission that delivers a slick changing and rewarding drive.
Fuel economy for the Volkswagen Golf ranges from 53mpg for the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, and slightly less for the 1.5-litre engine.

The diesel engine returns around 67mpg with emissions of 122g/km to make this an attractive company car choice.

However, the Golf GTE is certainly worth a closer look as a contract hire choice with an all-electric range of 37 miles and emissions of just 30g/km for a very low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rating.

EQUIPMENT AND HANDLING FOR THE VW GOLF

Since the Volkswagen Golf is one of the world's bestselling and most popular cars to lease, it came as no surprise that VW's designers did not stray far from what has become an established and recognised design. Having said that, the front of the car is sleeker and lower than the model it replaces with a lower grille and slim LED headlights.

The biggest change is in the cabin, and the infotainment system and instruments now consist of two digital screens. There are no buttons to speak of, and drivers need to use voice commands to carry out a range of actions. The interior is very impressive and well-designed and it's also a comfortable place for long journeys.

There is a lot of equipment for the VW Golf with the entry-level model featuring automatic air-conditioning and rear and front parking sensors. There's also 16-inch alloy wheels and standard safety equipment includes road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Other models in the Golf lease range feature styling tweaks to the exterior, larger alloy wheels and privacy glass. The cabin is also spacious for adults and the boot is 381-litres in size.

Behind the wheel, the latest Volkswagen Golf delivers good steering feedback and there's more agility for a rewarding drive. It's also a nice car to drive around town with the suspension dealing with rough road surfaces nicely.

The car has scored five stars from Euro NCAP when it was crash tested with the standard safety features including a communication system that will share potential hazard warnings with other cars.

Essentially, the Volkswagen Golf delivers a great contract hire family car that is a rewarding vehicle to drive, seriously practical and has lots of equipment. The latest chapter in the VW Golf story will see this ever-popular car continue to go from strength-to-strength with an excellent and impressive creation.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Why not have a look at the Golf on the official Volkswagen UK company website? Or why not look at some of these similar car lease deals from First Vehicle Leasing: Ford Focus or the Vauxhall Astra.