Volkswagen Golf 7 1.4 TSI Review

When the latest Volkswagen Golf 7 arrived, I found myself absolutely unexcited. I completely understand the importance of the car, but I felt like the game had moved on, and maybe it was time for Golf to move on as well. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The new Golf 7 is like that friend we all have who is so effortlessly good at everything that it’s actually quite annoying. If the Golf 7 was actually into golf, it would probably worry Rory McIlroy.

Volkswagen Golf 7 Engine Capability

The line up as it stands at launch will see three engines available, with each available in two states of tune. Petrol variants are limited to the 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI, and there is one diesel in the form of the 2.0 TDi. I drove the more powerful Golf 7 1.4, with 103kW and a healthy 250Nm, importantly available from low in the rev range, at just 1500rpm.

This means there is very little lag and the way it pulls cleanly and consistently through the rev range is as impressive as it is effortless. This is not your dad’s 1400. The goalposts haven’t moved so much as been obliterated. Other manufacturers have squeezed great power out of small engines, the 1.6 litre developed by Peugeot/Citroen for BMW’s Mini project is a particular peach, but that engine idles like a tractor in comparison. In the VW Golf 7, I kept thinking the engine was off.

Exterior Styling

I’ve already heard whinging from the general public that the new Golf just looks like the old Golf. I should know, I was a whinger. But side by side, the differences are obvious, and the Golf 7 is all the better for it. Sharper, tauter and sportier, the latest generation is slightly lower, longer and wider than its predecessor.
The easiest edits to spot are the front and rear lights, which are both narrower and more aggressive, while the rear end is sexier. I don’t envy whoever is tasked with Golf design. It has to appeal to men and women equally, pay homage to past versions, have enough aggression to handle the GTi and Golf R treatments down the line and not look silly, all the while appealing to every human on earth. That’s quite a design brief. Opinions will be divided on whether they’ve nailed it or not.

Interior Styling

This is where Volkswagen have cranked it up a notch. The interior of the Golf 7 feels like it was designed over seven years by an army of very intelligent Germans who never sleep. There are so many clever touches in here. All five seating positions have been redesigned and you can feel it. The driver’s seat is more reclined and feels more sportscar-like than should be possible in a boxy hatchback. The level of comfort is quite special in this segment, and combined with a massive effort to keep the cabin quiet, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving something much, much more expensive.

The Golf 7 comes standard with a 5 inch touch screen, with a bigger 5.8” or massive 8” available. The interface is modeled on smartphones, so you touch and swipe just as you would on your mobile device. The fascia is a little too shiny for my liking, but as a package it works well. The interior lighting is clever; tiny rear-facing blue lights in the roof trim illuminate the rear seats completely without bothering the driver. Rear seats fold almost flat, so you can easily squeeze in that designer wheel barrow and instant lawn.

Safety Features

Accident research has shown that in 25% of road accidents, one car experiences more than one collision. VW has introduced Multi Collision Braking to the Golf 7, which will automatically lock the brakes during an accident, to slow the car down for the next potential collision.
ABS and EBD are standard, as well as the Driver Alert System, which monitors the driver’s face and head for weariness, and signals loudly to wake you up a bit. Pre-crash occupant protection will kick in if the car detects an imminent collision or loss of control. The system will optimise the seatbelt tension, ready the airbags and close the windows and sunroof, leaving a little open as this is the best position to absorb impact.

Driving Capability

In an age where each successive car model seems to get fatter, the Volkswagen Golf 7 is up to 109kg lighter than the Golf 6. That’s almost a whole Bakkies Botha that you don’t have to carry around any more. The positive effect is multifold; fuel consumption, handling and acceleration are all improved.
I’m not a fan of front wheel drive but most of the downsides have been dialled out, and it feels like the amount of power is just right for the amount of traction available, although you can still quite easily light up the tyres, if you’re that way inclined. Which I am certainly not. Maybe. With the power a little high in the rev range, but with torque low down, there’s a satisfying amount of oomph in any gear.

The ride manages to be an almost mystical combo of sporty and smooth, handling road imperfections like they’re not there. You can really chuck it into corners as well; I can’t imagine how good the GTi and R versions are going to be. It always feels very sensible, but if you ask it to, the rather serious German will let its hair down and join the party.

VW Golf 7 conclusion

It’s an impressive car, but with an almost infinite number of the rivals, the latest Golf had to be more than impressive. It has to be rather special. And there is one aspect of the South African spec car that just blows my mind – the latest generation is on sale for exactly the same price as the outgoing model. In that sense, this is the bargain of the decade. Latest technology, latest safety features, latest styling, at no extra cost. No wonder the Volkswagen Golf 7 has been named World Car of the Year.

Volkswagen Golf 7 Price

Volkswagen Golf 7 from R233 800

VW Golf 7 specs