Volkswagen Golf VII 2.0 TDI 150 CV DSG, test drive (Equipment, price and verdict)

After publishing the test of the Volkswagen Golf VII, we still had to explain to you the very wide equipment options, compare its prices with those of the competition and put the final touch with the verdict on the car as a whole.

Looking back for a moment, in the first part we told you everything about the behaviour and the 2.0 TDI 150 CV diesel engine. Meanwhile, in the second part we analysed the exterior and interior design, as well as its boot and the storage spaces inside the cabin.

Equipment

As always, we begin this section with the standard safety systems. The Volkswagen Golf has a wide range of equipment as standard in this area, with items such as seven airbags, the traditional six plus one for the knees, ABS, electronic stability control (‘ESC’), traction control (‘ASR’) with electronic differential lock (‘XDS’), active head restraints on the front seats, front seatbelts with electric pretensioners, hill start assist (‘Autohold’) and multi-collision emergency braking which brings the vehicle to an automatic stop after an accident to prevent a secondary collision.

Our test unit, being in ‘Sport’ specification, also included as standard the driver fatigue detection system and the proactive occupant protection device (‘Pre-Crash’), which prepares the vehicle for a possible collision by closing the windows and the sunroof, if fitted, and tensions the seatbelts.

In the EuroNCAP safety tests, the Golf VII achieved five stars when it was tested in 2012. Its best score, a 94%, was obtained in driver protection. Child protection stood at 89%, pedestrian protection at 65% and safety assist at 71%.

Currently there are three equipment levels in the Golf range: ‘Emotion’, ‘Advance’ and ‘Sport by R-Line’ —it replaced the ‘Sport’, the one our test unit had, a few weeks ago—. To these are added the specific versions of the low-consumption variants (BlueMotion) and the sporty ones (GTI and GTD). From the most basic trim, standard items include variable-assistance power steering depending on speed, fog lights with cornering light, ISOFIX anchors for two child seats on the rear seats, tyre pressure indicator, air conditioning (‘Climatic’) with rear ventilation outlets, a sound system with a touch screen, Aux-In and USB connection, plus a SD card reader and alloy wheels.

The ‘Sport by R-Line’ trim adds to all this xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, sport suspension, anti-glare interior mirror, climate control, sport-design front seats, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and larger alloy wheels, among other items.

Optionally you can fit several driver assistance systems such as the light beam control assistant to avoid dazzling (‘Dynamic Light Assist’), adaptive cruise control (‘ACC’) with automatic braking (‘Front Assist’), unintended lane departure assistant (‘Lane Assist’) with automatic trajectory correction through slight steering adjustments, reversing camera (‘Rear Assist’) and electronic adaptive suspension (‘DCC’), as well as the ‘Driving Profile Selection’ system which lets you choose between several driving modes.

Other options include the ‘ERGOactive SPORT SEATS’ front seats with extendable squab and massage, xenon plus self-levelling headlights, keyless access and start (‘Keyless Access’), leather upholstery, heated front seats or a more advanced on-board computer (‘Premium’).

As we mentioned in the section on the cabin, the eight-inch touch screen that forms part of the ‘Discover Pro’ navigation system is highly recommended for its excellent performance. There is another optional navigator with a 5.8-inch touch screen (‘Discover Media’ navigation) at a lower cost. The standard sound system, with eight speakers, works very well, but the most demanding in terms of sound quality can opt for an even better option, the ‘Dynaudio’ system with subwoofer.

Price

The Volkswagen Golf VII is currently sold in three body styles: three-door (3p), five-door (5p) and estate (Variant). To these are added the convertible (Golf Cabrio) and MPV (Golf Plus) variants, based on the previous generation.

The price difference, for the same engine and equipment, between the three- and five-door versions is 620 euros, in favour of the former. We tested a Golf 5p Sport 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed, available from 28,145 euros. This version has recently been replaced by a very similar one but with the ‘R-Line’ pack as standard, which gives it a sportier look. It is called Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed and is on sale from 28,420 euros.

Below is the current Golf 5p range, available from 19,120 to 33,490 euros, excluding optional equipment.

• Volkswagen Golf 5p Edition 1.2 TSI 105 CV 19,120 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Edition 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV 21,730 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p BlueMotion 1.6 TDI CR 110 CV 22,400 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 1.4 TSI 122 CV 22,440 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV 23,300 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 1.4 TSI 122 CV DSG 7-speed 23,370 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 1.4 TSI ACT Tech 140 CV 23,710 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 1.4 TSI 122 CV 24,160 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV 24,950 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV 25,000 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 1.4 TSI 122 CV DSG 7-speed 25,000 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 1.4 TSI ACT Tech 140 CV DSG 7-speed 25,480 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV 26,660 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Advance 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed 26,770 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed 28,420 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p Sport by R-Line 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV 4Motion 29,240 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p GTD 2.0 TDI 184 CV 31,620 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p GTI 2.0 TSI 220 CV 31,655 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p GTI Performance 2.0 TSI 230 CV 33,355 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p GTI 2.0 TSI 220 CV DSG 33,475 euros
• Volkswagen Golf 5p GTD 2.0 TDI 184 CV BMT DSG 6-speed 33,490 euros

Price of the tested unit: 28,145 euros + ‘Lane Assist’ and ‘Dynamic Light Assist’ assistants 650 euros + Reversing camera (‘Rear Assist’) 205 euros + Adaptive cruise control (‘ACC’) with ‘Front Assist’ 320 euros + ‘Driving Profile Selection’ 110 euros + ‘Xenon Plus’ headlights 415 euros + ‘Premium’ on-board computer 140 euros + Adaptive suspension (‘DCC’) 940 euros + Keyless access and start (‘Keyless Access’) 330 euros + Electric sliding and tilting sunroof with interior sunshade 960 euros + Red paint 190 euros + ‘Discover Pro’ navigation 1,700 euros + 7.5 x 18 (225/40) ‘DURBAN’ alloy wheels 715 euros. Final price: 34,820 euros

Overall verdict

The Golf 5p Sport 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV with 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox is a well-rounded package, thoroughly satisfying in terms of engine and transmission response, low fuel consumption, the high quality of the interior and the abundant equipment it can be specified with. As we said at the start of this test, its only significant drawback is the price, as there are many similar models for less money. If that is not a problem, all that remains is to choose the colour and the equipment.

This 150 CV diesel version is currently the mid-level in power within the Golf range, as there is a 105 CV version below it and a 184 CV one (Golf GTD) above it. The price gap between one and the other is around 3,000 or 4,000 euros, depending on the trim level chosen. Obviously, if you want sporty sensations and the maximum possible acceleration, you will have to opt for the 184 CV GTD variant.

On the other hand, if you prefer economy of purchase and running, nothing beats the 105 CV version. Its engine responds well, but with the car loaded it can feel short of power in certain situations, such as overtaking and steep gradients. That said, today the most balanced variant, and we always stress that money is not an obstacle, is the 150 CV.

Although the design is not very daring, and it may seem like little more than an update of the previous model, the look is more contemporary. It does not turn heads in the street, unlike, for example, a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or a Volvo V40. However, the Golf is a guarantee of careful design and an image that ages well, far from passing trends that go out of fashion sooner or later. Although there is no doubt that, in this respect, personal taste is always very personal.

Along with the wide range of engines and the quality of its finishes, among the Golf’s virtues its standard equipment and, especially, its many options stand out. All of this is a point in its favour and an important reason to make it an object of desire for many potential buyers, as has been the case since the first generation reached the market more than 35 years ago. Time will tell whether the Golf VII continues along the same path of success as its predecessors. It has plenty of reasons to do so.

Photos | Jaime Arruz and test team

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €