Test drive of the Volkswagen Golf 8 1.5 eTSI 150 CV DSG: the legendary compact still packs a punch

“A Golf is a Golf”: we’ve all heard that phrase more than once, pointing to the fact that the Volkswagen Golf will always be as legendary as it was at the start. And the people from Wolfsburg are already on the eighth generation of their compact par excellence, something not every brand can boast, nor has it been a pioneer of a segment. Yet, does the Golf 8 still deserve that legendary phrase applied to previous generations? Let’s find out.

To check, we’ve been living with a Volkswagen Golf of the eighth generation equipped with the 1.5 eTSI engine producing 150 CV and a DSG gearbox. A very interesting combination for two reasons: more than enough power and a mild-hybrid system that promises negligible consumption.

A design in its line

But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so for now I’ll limit myself to talking about the design of this new Golf 8, in the first person if you’ll allow me. It’s true that there’s no accounting for taste and that a car’s styling is a very subjective matter, but after sharing my days with the Volkswagen Golf 8 I’ve reached two conclusions: it looks much better in person and it’s still more of the same.

Because, despite the novelty and the new design canons the German house has brought with this eighth generation of the compact, I see little daring and little risk in the Volkswagen Golf. Even so, we find sharper, more angular overall lines, something that is quickly noticed at the front thanks to two headlights that stretch over the fender and almost integrate into the side, and a practically closed and much thinner grille.

The side keeps flaunting those lines without risking too much, where mainly semi-covered 17-inch wheels and a much wider C-pillar stand out. The rear also offers us new-style taillights that fit those sharper lines, a new typeface for the word Golf and, of course, chrome trims meant to simulate an exhaust outlet. Fashion, eh?

A cabin that has generated controversy

True, despite the aesthetic novelties, the Volkswagen Golf 8 remains on the same path, offering a little more of the same; but that’s not the case in its cabin. Here the German firm has indeed taken risks and played its cards differently, but this doesn’t stop certain things from failing to fully convince me.

Right after getting in we’re greeted by a flat-bottomed steering wheel, pleasant to the touch and with buttons on both ends. Behind it sits a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that, despite changing part of the display, remains very intuitive and easy to use. The central screen is the same size and also behaves simply and intuitively, and we can connect our smartphone wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

However, Volkswagen has opted for total minimalism in this new Golf 8, which means many functions have been integrated into the infotainment system itself. This brings two problems: first, the difficulty of finding some functions because they’re hidden behind many submenus; and second, the eradication of physical buttons that would let us access those functions more quickly and, above all, more safely.

Now climate controls have been integrated into the screen itself, which distracts us and complicates a task as simple as turning on the ventilation. There’s no haptic feedback either, which could have helped mitigate this blasted trend to some extent; instead we only get a “click” that doesn’t help much, since it sounds whether or not we’re touching the button.

The light dial has been replaced by a touch control in piano black. True, in most situations we’ll leave it on automatic, so there’s nothing to worry about. But if we want to turn on the fog lights or defrost the rear windows -because the controls for that are now there- we’ll have to wrestle with a control that forces us to take our eyes off the road again.

As for materials, the dashboard surface is soft, plush and very pleasant to the touch. However, the plastic trim between the lower part of the dash and the screen is hard plastic, shows some creaks and somewhat dubious fit. I can’t say the same about the center console, where, although hard plastic is also used, there’s a better sense of solidity.

The front seats are spacious and offer numerous adjustments, allowing people of any height to easily find their ideal position. The rear seats do a good job, giving occupants very good room for both head and legs. As is usual, the center seat is a bit tight, offering correct width but a hard cushion and little legroom.

Finally, the boot, which in this eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf is rated at 380 litres of capacity, a figure that sits at the segment average. In addition, we find very regular shapes and a flat loading lip that helps make loading and unloading items easier.

A Golf that is still very much a Golf

But the moment of truth arrived, the moment to see how this new Golf 8 drives and what novelties it offers. First, let me introduce the engine that powers the unit that accompanied me for a week, the well-known 1.5 TSI, a four-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of delivering 150 CV and 250 Nm of torque.

But this unit featured a novelty represented by the suffix eTSI, an “e” referring to the 48-volt mild-hybrid system fitted to the Golf in this version, which earns it the ECO label. This system never intervenes on its own; it simply supports at certain moments and is designed mainly to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions.

The engine still behaves like a pure-combustion 1.5 TSI. The 150 CV show up at the top end, between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm, while the 250 Nm of torque arrive between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. This translates into very linear power delivery, without sharp peaks mid-rev, leaving a somewhat cool low end but very full mid-range.

The 150 CV and 250 Nm of torque allow us to move with ease over any terrain, figures that in this case were managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox. Its behaviour is exemplary, offering smooth, quick shifts and only a slight lag, both upshifting and downshifting, when we use sequential mode -which, by the way, can only be engaged via the steering-wheel paddles, since the new gear selector doesn’t offer that option-.

On the motorway, the Volkswagen Golf 8 shows superb behaviour, more typical of a higher-segment car than a compact. It conveys confidence and security thanks to a more composed stance than the previous generation. The suspension tuning -adjustable on this unit- is very balanced, managing to contain body roll well and absorbing road imperfections with diligence. On such roads it’s easy to record consumption of 5.4 litres per 100 km.

In the city we find a comfortable car, with very suitable dimensions for navigating narrow streets and a set of driver assistance systems that will ease our way through town. The steering is light, the engine response more than adequate, and the good work of the suspension once again rewards us with very noble behaviour without needing to be overly careful over potholes or speed bumps. Here consumption rises to 8 litres.

But, can we have fun with this Golf 8? The truth is that we’re dealing with a very neutral car. It doesn’t aim to be sporty and therefore doesn’t convey much feeling when we tackle a mountain road, for example. Its steering is quick and precise, but not very communicative or informative, and even if we select the firmest suspension mode, we don’t get a harder or more precise car; the body roll is merely slightly reduced, and it’s already minimal to begin with. Furthermore, we notice a rather odd brake pedal feel, at least until we pass halfway through its travel. This is due to the 48-volt system, which partly regenerates during braking and leaves little feedback when we apply the brakes.

The engine doesn’t help much with that task either: its linear, sober response invites a rather calm and not especially lively driving style. This isn’t a bad or negative thing; it simply means we have a Golf that doesn’t aim to be sporty, leaving that job to the new Golf GTI and R.

Conclusion

“A Golf is a Golf” and yes, this new Volkswagen Golf 8 still is. The eighth iteration of the German compact keeps delivering on its promise of a car for everything, offering a very balanced package -especially in this variant- to cover any need.

On the downside, we find a car where the interior finishes are underwhelming, several systems are integrated into the screen itself, and a price that is somewhat high compared with its rivals. The unit in this article comes with a bill of 31,835 euros.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €