Volkswagen Golf 103TSI Highline 2014 Long-term review - 1

We're driving a Volkswagen Golf long-term test car because we wanted to spend more time in the new model -- and also see if any of the issues reported in the previous generation had manifested here.

So far, the car has not missed a beat. Well, almost.

Although the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘DSG’ transmission is not perfect, in almost every other respect the car has performed well.

The new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is an accomplished hatchback that sets the bar very high. It's a class leader and for good reason. Everything from the comfortable seats, to the solid thud of the doors closing, and even the way it steers and grips, are top notch.

The Golf Highline 103TSI is easy to drive with drive -- and frugal too -- thanks to its 1.4-litre turbo-petrol 103kW/250Nm engine. Volkswagen claims an average fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km, and though I could only manage 7.7L/100km, I was driving it enthusiastically for the most part.

The engine is a good little unit, happy to rev and remarkably rapid when called upon. It will dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds, but is still tractable and easygoing at low speeds.

In fact the only weak link in the drivetrain is the DSG transmission, sometimes caught lagging behind instruction from the accelerator pedal.

When a quick getaway from the traffic lights is requested, for instance, the engine revs but the transmission would be left daydreaming. Naturally I sink the boot in further and the car proceeds to snap to attention a little too adroitly and spin its front wheels.

It says a lot about the engine's impressive power delivery, but is not ideal. There is a manual mode which provides more control, but that does mean a little anticipation is required.

We also experienced one instance when the engine stalled. The car was reversing at low speed up a steep driveway and the engine started pulsing rhythmically, then it seemed to lose power and eventually the engine stopped.

It's my guess that there was a miscommunication between the gearbox and engine, the clutches unhappy at being engaged for so long at low speed.

The brakes are also very strong but overly sensitive. It took a few drives to adapt to the touchy anchors.

In terms of ride and handling, the Golf is hard to fault. It's one of the few cars at almost any price-point that delivers consistently good ride comfort and predictable, engaging handling.

The only time the ride quality wasn't perfect was cutting across tram tracks at 60km/h where the car jiggled slightly. Generally speaking the car was composed and comfortable even on irregular surfaces, and on a century-old cobblestone alleyway near my house the Golf aced it. At 15km/h it soaked it up the bumps admirably, exhibiting very little noise, harshness or vibration.

It's also possessed of excellent road-holding, and has decent steering and a flat attitude through corners. This means it can be a lot of fun, and from my experience with the car on European roads, means it's also very stable at high speeds.

Another benefit of its German design is that it's sure-footed when the rain is falling in torrents. It feels very planted, very safe, and with loads of grip. The stability control is also seamless, though seldom called upon.

Time spent inside the Golf is not wasted, thanks to excellent ergonomics, well integrated technology and high quality materials. Indeed, the cabin has an upmarket feel, finished with flush-fitting and tight-shutting high quality materials.

The tightly clustered steering wheel buttons are a departure from the previous generation and, though overwhelming at first, are useful in that they can control most of the cars functions. So you'll rarely need to reach over to the centre stack.

Volkswagen's Golf is the kind of car you can be proud of and rightly show off should you choose to, and is also very quiet inside. Like most modern small cars rear seat room is commodious and there's bottle and cup holders for all passengers.

Little touches like the drawers under the front seats and a reminder to 'remember your mobile phone' if you have it plugged in or integrated via Bluetooth show an impressive level of attention to detail. That cruise control works at under 30km/h is another neat feature.

Pairing a phone wirelessly takes all of 15 seconds and I was suitably surprised to discover that the Golf can stream free music via the Pandora app from my iPhone 4S. Just don't tell Holden...

Throw in features like dual-zone climate control, a 5.8-inch touch-screen, sat nav, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, rain-sensing wipers and a full complement of airbags and you get a fair bit of bang for your buck.

During my time with our long-term VW Golf, it went to the beach twice, the airport thrice, transported my wife and baby to and from the grandparent's house half a dozen times, and fulfilled market shopping on the weekends and commuting during the week.

Of my time behind the wheel of the long-term Golf, my favourite convenience features were the Pandora music streaming and the auto-hold function, the latter applying the park brake automatically when the car stops and disengages when you touch the throttle. Better yet the auto-hold function works with the engine stop-start system.

It's no surprise the Golf is the third best-selling vehicle in history. What started off life a cheap and simple German runabout in the mid 1970s has slowly become an almost premium offering in the segment -- and though it's not perfect, our long-term Golf shows no signs of tiring.

Price: $32,490 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 103kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch
Fuel / CO2: 5.2L/100km / 121g/km
Safety: Five-star ANCAP/seven airbags

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