Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion vs Mercedes A180 CDI ECO

What's the point of these comparison tests? I used to look forward to them, but the VW Golf is impossible to beat it seems, except for the Seat, which is a VW.

I've driven the Golf and the A-class; in my opinion, I would choose the A-class, unless I used the boot for a stroller on a daily basis. The Mercedes is simply more special and better to drive.

I think it's about time that AE consider writing a short explanation as to what the criteria for the tests are. Certainly it seems a little arbitrary at the moment. In an economy test, one would imagine economy would be of the highest order. Furthermore, when the Golf costs 8000 pounds more than the counterpart, it barely gets a mention, but when it is the other way around it suddenly becomes more relevant.

On paper it would seem that the Golf has the better numbers, but in reality there would be too much embarrassment being seen driving the Golf, so the Mercedes wins.

Surely the Audi A3 is more likely to be the rival to the Merc?

Rather 1000 times the Mercedes. Autoexpress is too much VW Trend!!

I THINK VW PAYS!

Nothing to see here folks, just another advertising article to pay for AE salaries. We need to accept these in exchange for free reading.

Absolutely, AE is quite obsessed with VAG Group products which I feel are some of the most dreary and clinical cars available.

The A3 holds the distinction of being even more boring than these two cars.

I agree with every point you just made. Taking depreciation into account, the A-class is only around £300 more expensive. I doubt that would be a major sticking point for anyone paying over the odds for a German car in the first place.

For a while I drove the new Leon 1.6TDi and initially I liked it but after a while I realise how disappointing it was. Driving comfort is overall okay but they have got simple ergonomics wrong. On long journeys, the stitching and shape of the steering make it uncomfortable to hold and the door arm rest is rock hard and after a while actually causes quite severe discomfort at the elbow.

The engine is rattly and unrefined. The gearing is way too long which causes it to take an age to accelerate up to 70mph, even in 3rd gear.

Compare this to the older Megane 1.5dci I had driven before, and it really begs the question of whether AE know what they're talking about, or as has been said, what they're criteria actually is.

The Megane was always comfortable, very quiet, engine was smooth and felt much quicker through its silkier 6 speed gearbox. Leon probably is a little sharper but nowhere near as grippy. In day to day use, I'd prefer more grip than anything. And before people bring up reliability - not a single mechanical or electrical breakdown in almost 4 years from new until over 50k miles. This is completely subjective of course, but the Leon bored me after a couple of months - it's a lot of style and no substance whereas the latest Megane is arguably the opposite. It felt completely solid.

I have never ridden in a Leon but that particular power unit in other cars made by the group is exactly as you say. Although no fan of three cylinder engines, the replacement for the current four cylinder unit cannot help but be better (I hope).

Is the replacement the reworked version in this Bluemotion, or is there a new version being developed now?

But yes, the 1.6TDi is really appalling. I would argue that the French make the best diesels by far. For me, it's just another example of how VAG rip off their customers. If there is an automotive conglomerate out there who absolutely has the financial and technical resources, not to mention economies of scale to develop class leading cars and engines, it's VAG. Yet they have churned out an engine that falls well short in most areas compared to their rivals. If PSA, Renault or Toyota placed an identical unit in their cars, they'd get slaughtered (more than they are).