Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDI SE

A legend is reborn, and VW has matched comfort with pace

Few mainstream family cars can match VW’s Golf when it comes to pedigree – and the same applies to the drop-top.

The first roofless model was produced in 1979, and it quickly established itself as one of the best. After three generations and more than 34,000 UK sales, production halted in 2002. The arrival of the Eos coupe-cabrio in 2006 suggested the drop-top Golf was no more... until now.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68804","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

The new Cabriolet is based on the hugely successful Golf MkVI, and the similarities are clear at the front. But from the base of the windscreen backwards, it’s all change. The more steeply raked glass, fresh rear lights and redesigned bootlid are all intended to give the model a sportier look. A classy chrome strip runs around the waistline, separating the fabric hood from the surrounding bodywork.

The changes have been smoothly incorporated and, with the roof in place, the car’s neat proportions contrast with the bloated Peugeot’s, which is compromised by the complexities of its folding metal hard-top.

Dropping the Golf’s fully automated hood takes only 13 seconds, and reveals an attractive top-down profile. While the VW doesn’t have the prestige badge of the Audi, it does without fixed roll hoops behind the rear seats, which gives the newcomer a much cleaner appearance.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Tiguan

2019 Volkswagen

Tiguan

81,683 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £11,600
View Tiguan
GLB

2023 Mercedes

GLB

13,455 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £29,197
View GLB
A3 Sportback

2024 Audi

A3 Sportback

35,762 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £18,000
View A3 Sportback
Stonic

2024 Kia

Stonic

34,755 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £12,000
View Stonic

Inside, it’s standard Golf fare. The dashboard design is straight from the hatchback, which is no bad thing. The cabin is a model of clarity and simplicity, marked out by superb build quality and top-rate materials. It’s the classiest choice in this line-up. Plus, the Cabrio shares its wheelbase with the hatch, so there’s a decent amount of legroom.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s space for only two people in the back, but rear passengers will be more comfortable in the Golf than in either of its rivals. The Peugeot is brighter inside when the roof is in place, though, thanks to its larger glass area. The Golf has split-folding rear seats as standard, and its 250-litre boot is unaffected when the top is folded. It’s virtually identical to the Audi in terms of volume, and shares the A3’s narrow opening. While the Peugeot’s 403-litre load area sounds big in comparison, the space shrinks to 226 litres when the top is down.

One thing you won’t be short of in the Golf is kit. In well specified SE trim, the VW comes with climate and cruise control, a wind deflector, rear parking sensors and Bluetooth all fitted as standard.

Add that lot to the Audi and you’ll put £1,395 on its price, which is more than enough to offset the A3’s cost advantage.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Volkswagen doesn’t set the pace under the bonnet, though. Its 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel is shared with its VW Group rival, but the Peugeot produces 112bhp and comes with a six-speed, rather than the VW and Audi’s five-ratio gearbox. Against the clock, the Golf trailed the 308 CC by two-tenths of a second in the sprint from 0-60mph, with a time of 12.5 seconds, and was outgunned during the in-gear tests, too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The pay-off comes at the tailpipe, where CO2 emissions of 117g/km are enough to place the VW in a lower tax bracket than the Peugeot. Straight-line performance is only part of the equation, and the Golf also compensates for its lack of outright pace in other areas. From its comfortable driving position to the perfectly weighted controls, the Cabriolet is every bit as polished as the hatch from behind the wheel.

As with its three and five-door stablemates, you get positive brakes, a smooth, light and precise gearshift, plus well weighted steering. The driving experience won’t rival a racy roadster’s for pure fun, but the Golf is incredibly capable.

Its front tyres provide real bite so there’s plenty of grip, and the suspension strikes a great balance between handling and comfort. Throw the Cabriolet into a corner, and it resists body roll effectively. Most impressive is the chassis’ apparent stiffness.

Extra strengthening beneath the skin compensates for the removal of the roof, and the resulting structure feels every bit as solid as the hatch. As a result, the suspension is unhindered by body flex, and it absorbs bumps and ruts effectively.

The VW is the only car to get a wind deflector as standard, but holding a conversation at speed with the top down is easy even when it’s not installed. Add class-leading economy of 45.2mpg to the mix, and the Golf Cabriolet looks set to become a fixture in the drop-top sector – just like its predecessors.

Details

Chart position: 1
WHY: After skipping a generation, the drop-top Golf is back. It used to be the benchmark, but does the latest model hit new heights?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,063 off RRP*Used from £14,910
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,970 off RRP*Used from £8,795
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,778 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £7,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025