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VW Golf Cabriolet

Soft-top Volkswagen Golf returns just in time for summer... And we're first behind the wheel

VW Golf Cabriolet rear

By Luke Madden

May 2011

The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is back! After an absence of almost a decade, the popular convertible has returned and slots below the folding hard-top Eos in the range. Is it a return to form after all this time?

Unlike the larger Eos, the Golf gets a clean and stylish design that incorporates a folding canvas roof. The arrangement folds neatly into the top of the boot and does without a tonneau cover. 

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Golf Cabriolet

 

For the first time on an open-top Golf, this model doesn’t get any visible roll-over hoops. Instead, it gets the pop-up system featured in the Eos that activates if the car detects it’s about to flip over. As a result, the design of the car is not as fussy, and it looks a lot more upmarket.

The front and rear lights are LED units as standard which adds to the stylish design, while the canvas roof can be lowered in only 9.5 seconds while driving up to speeds of 18mph – if you are interested in practicality, it's worth noting that there’s still a surprisingly spacious 250-litres boot when it is folded away. 

As well as the practical boot, the Golf Cabriolet boasts the same wheelbase as the Eos which makes seating four tall adults a breeze. Rear seats are comfortable, if a little exposed to the elements with the roof down!

Inside, the cabin layout is identical to the hard-top Golf but some of the materials have been made slightly more durable to deal with the elements. 

The drive will be familiar to Golf owners too. Despite losing the roof, Volkswagen engineers have reinforced the window-frame, cross-members, side-panels and doors to make the drive as sharp as possible.

The steering is precise, responsive and despite slightly more flex in the chassis the newcomer grips and handles just as well as its hard-top sibling. 

On the move, the car also feels surprisingly refined. The fabric roof has an extra insulating layer and the window and door seals have been improved for what Volkswagen claims is class-leading quietness - and on the evidence it’s hard to argue.

Even with the roof down there's very little buffeting or wind noise around the front seats.. You can easily hold a conversation at motorway speeds.

Over bumpy surfaces, the Golf Cabriolet performs well, with only large imperfections unsettling the suspension. The car feels stable, particularly through long, sweeping corners.

On top of that, the 157bhp 1.4-litre TSI unit fitted to our model is smooth, quiet and provides plenty of punch - particularly in the middle of the rev range.

The 1.4TSI is relatively economical, but buyers with an eye on fuel economy can also choose between a 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI, or 1.6-litre TDI engine.

Later 2.0-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI engines will be added to the range, boasting 207bhp and 138bhp respectively.

So is this Golf Cabriolet a worthy successor to the legendary machines that came before it? In a word, yes. It's better built, more neatly styled and above all, more luxurious than ever before.

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Golf visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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15 Comments

proportions

Small doors, with large back wing - it just looks odd to me. And the grey test car, it is not shouting FUN.

By gaztt on 4 May, 2011, 11:59pm

Stylish

Whilst not doubting that it has been teutonically sorted, but come on...... look at it............. Sadly it's a huge yawn to look at. It is not even stylish

By Redalfa on 5 May, 2011, 10:22am

Boring

The Golf has become such a 'grandad' car in the last 'mark'. The open car does nothing to change this!

By Bloodyannoying on 5 May, 2011, 10:38am

Another Conservative VW.
maybe the ought to call it the VW Cameeeron.

By toycollector on 5 May, 2011, 11:08am

Volkswagen at its best.

Credit where credit is due. Its dull but its taken others ideas and quality levels and moves them up a notch. Its what buyers want. Well done VW another safe and secure peg to underwrite your future stability as a company.

By wmtmarine on 5 May, 2011, 12:15pm

I will join the queue to buy one

VW - please listen to your buyers and not these clowns who consider themselves to be informed motoring critics - they couldn't criticise a political broadcast! This is a great car which will appeal to all generations and both genders. The majority of the car-buying public have to make objective assessments based on economics as well as pragmatic elements and everyday use essentials. I have never owned a VW - until now, this new Golf Cabriolet makes immense sense in the current economic climate.

By Gregorius on 5 May, 2011, 3:02pm

Not in the queue to by one

Gregorius forgets that in the current economic climate there remain people that want to see something other than utility grey. The VW is just that .... Utility Grey albeit with a drop down roof to get a bit of sunshine. But look at it overall is it any different to the rest of the VW range in looks? Not a jot! I once took a serious look at an EOS and apart from the dreadful amount of space in the boot I was told by the VW salesman that VW were limiting the numbers of EOS in order that the price could be held higher because of its exclusivity. The price for the sawn off Passat was in the region of a good many other more exclusive marques and better to look as well ultimately. There are some of us out here that enjoy cars that can turn heads not elicit a look that says "Oh another VW clone" followed quickly by a yawn. As for criticising a political broadcast....... Hmmmm, I feel another yawn coming on!

By Redalfa on 6 May, 2011, 9:30am

Great car but...

What was the point of the Eos? That was a good looking car which pretty much did the same thing. I think Volkswagen have double marketed this sector, or was the Eos just a fill in whilst they found the 'Golf hacksaw'? Strange.

By craiglife on 6 May, 2011, 9:56am

Hasn't anyone realised this is a re-skinned audi A3 cabriolet........

By RedRed on 7 May, 2011, 3:52pm

And...

It's how much?! No thanks. And that must be the dullest video I've ever watched on AE.
Or is it just the car?

By nhunt2 on 8 May, 2011, 12:12pm

eos anybody.....

i'd rather buy an eos personally!

By bhalay207 on 10 May, 2011, 11:14pm

Enjoy!! Not

makes me laugh to see this car reviewed for the English market. Unlike us here in Sunny Australia, I really cannot see this getting much use in the miserable Pommy Weather.. Enjoy buying this car and then whinging about never having the roof down. Ha Ha!

By guliver_twist on 16 May, 2011, 2:21pm

Enjoy!! Not

makes me laugh to see this car reviewed for the English market. Unlike us here in Sunny Australia, I really cannot see this getting much use in the miserable Pommy Weather.. Enjoy buying this car and then whinging about never having the roof down. Ha Ha!

By guliver_twist on 16 May, 2011, 2:21pm

What a stunner!

Given some of the previous criticisms I'm cheered to know that I must be one of very few to appreciate classic styling, and the new cabrio has it in shed loads. I've owned 3 Golfs, 2 of which were mark 1 convertibles, and they were just quality. Oh and Guliver despite our often miserable weather, I could have fun with the top down in winter too - need to get togged up a bit though! If I had the money to hand I'd order one now without hesitation. Good to see the original and best modern cabrio back.

By islandtraction on 20 August, 2011, 4:44pm

What a stunner!

Given some of the previous criticisms I'm cheered to know that I must be one of very few to appreciate classic styling, and the new cabrio has it in shed loads. I've owned 3 Golfs, 2 of which were mark 1 convertibles, and they were just quality. Oh and Guliver despite our often miserable weather, I could have fun with the top down in winter too - need to get togged up a bit though! If I had the money to hand I'd order one now without hesitation. Good to see the original and best modern cabrio back.

By islandtraction on 20 August, 2011, 4:50pm

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VW Golf Cabriolet rear
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VW Golf Cabriolet interior
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FIRST OPINION

    It’s a triumphant return for the Golf Cabriolet. This new model mixes all that is good about the hard-top Golf with top-down, wind in the hair thrills. Best of all in this style-conscious segment is that the soft-top model looks even better than the standard car. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £20,000 (est) Engine: 1.4-litre TSI Power: 157bhp Transmission: Seven-speed DSG Economy: 45mpg CO2: 148g/km 0-62mph:8.4 secs Top speed: 134mph Equipment: Bluetooth, heated seats, air-con, sat-nav, electric windows On sale: July
 
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