Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI SE

We see if lower-spec hatch is as good as impressive flagship

It’s hard to find fault with the new Golf. It looks sharper than before, the cabin is brilliant and it’s a joy to drive. Excellent running costs and good fuel economy mean it makes financial sense, too. The 1.6-litre diesel with a five-speed gearbox isn’t quite as refined as the larger 2.0-litre, but it trumps both its rivals here.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If the new Toyota Auris is going to be a class-leader, then it has to beat the latest VW Golf. But that’s no easy task, as the seventh generation of this benchmark family hatch is lighter, bigger, more efficient and smarter than ever before. In 2.0-litre TDI GT form, it took a group test win over the Ford Focus and BMW 1 Series, so is the cheaper 1.6-litre TDI SE just as good?

It certainly looks the part. The Golf’s taut lines are a little conservative, but it’s all about small details: it’s hard to find fault with the car’s perfectly executed exterior design.

The good news continues inside, where the classy yet straightforward cabin hits the spot with its top-notch finish, first-rate materials and smart design. The dash is angled towards the driver and, with lots of wheel and seat adjustment, it’s easy to get comfortable.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

32,494 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £15,897
View Golf
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

33,460 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,746
View Golf
Golf

2019 Volkswagen

Golf

26,672 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,765
View Golf
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

36,932 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £17,992
View Golf

All Golfs get a simple-to-use 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, but this SE does without sat-nav as standard. Still, there’s lots of stowage, with a huge glovebox and large centre cubby, while the SE gets storage trays under the front seats and a through-load hatch between the rears.

The 380-litre boot is well shaped, as well as being 20 litres bigger than the Auris’. If you fold the rear seats and fill the car to the roof, you’ll be able to carry 1,270 litres. Rear legroom is better than in the Toyota, although a large transmission tunnel makes the middle seat a little tight. But overall, it’s hard to ignore the Golf’s comfort, quality and practicality.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It extends its advantage on the move, as refinement is a step ahead of the competition. While the 1.6-litre diesel engine isn’t quite as subdued as Volkswagen’s larger 2.0-litre, the cabin is still quiet and there’s far less road and wind noise than in the other models. The ride is also the best here, with the car easily soaking up bumps and imperfections that will unsettle the Hyundai i30 and Toyota.

The last Golf we tested was fitted with £795 Adaptive Chassis Control active dampers, and this conventionally sprung car has a slightly firmer edge. However, it still strikes a great compromise between handling and comfort.

Head into a corner and the VW’s class-leading body control and grip impress – there’s now enough driver engagement to rival the Focus and the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series.

When you drive it back-to-back with the Auris, the Golf’s dynamic abilities are even clearer. The steering is precise and well weighted, while the strong yet progressive brakes make smooth driving much easier than the Toyota’s jumpy system. Some might be surprised that this all-new Golf only has a five-speed gearbox, but it’s flexible enough to match the six-speed i30’s performance in the lower gears. The five-speed doesn’t seem to affect fuel economy, either: we saw an impressive average of 50mpg.

Add strong residuals plus fixed-price servicing, and the Golf makes financial sense, too. The £21,745 SE is £1,245 cheaper than the Auris, but you’ll need to spend an extra £490 to get a five-year warranty – something Toyota and Hyundai offer as standard.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £15,519
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

New Citroen e-C4 2025 review: updated EV is more appealing than ever
Citroen e-C4 Max - front

New Citroen e-C4 2025 review: updated EV is more appealing than ever

Road tests
1 Apr 2025
Cupra Leon review
Cupra Leon - front action

Cupra Leon review

In-depth reviews
10 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025