New super-smooth eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox makes for an unbeatable ride.
I recently wrote a piece on how a Mk1 Volkswagen Golf would have set you back R4 135 in 1978 while the VW Golf 8.5 now retails for R580 900.
We can spend hours debating that the Golf back in the day was, dare I say it, considered cheap transport, and now not so much. But what is not debatable is that the Golf 8.5 is one of the best everyday cars I have driven in a long time. In a world drowned by generic SUVs, it was so refreshing to experience a well put together hatchback.
There was a time when hatchbacks ruled the market, but just like they brough on the demise of the family sedan or saloon, the SUV has done it to them. Thankfully VW South Africa saw fit to bring in the Golf 8.5.
It was mostly because of buyers’ appetite for SUVs, which VW have plenty of in its product portfolio, that the only Golf 8 models we got in 2021 were the GTI and R. But now that we can’t get our hands on a Golf 8.5 GTI or R due to our poor fuel quality, we are getting the updated Golf 8.5 in 1.4 litre TSI configuration only.
Golf 8.5 not so fast, but frugal
The familiar mill makes the same 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque that it does in other VW products. While it’s obviously no GTI, I was more than happy with the amount of urge on tap when The Citizen Motoring took a nice long loop out to Pretoria for lunch and back on the media test drive day.
What was even better was the smoothness of the new eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. It’s perfectly suited to the more chilled nature of the 1.4 TSI and not as grabby or aggressive as the double clutch DSG set-up from before.
For those who care for the numbers, the claimed 0-100 km/h time is 8.5 seconds and the top speed is claimed to be 216 km/h. But the number that might impress you the most is the 6.3 litres per 100km claimed average fuel consumption. In fact, when we were done for the day, our test car settled at 6L/100km/h. That’s a number I will take every day over what most of the Chinese SUVs are getting in the real world.
ALSO READ: VW Golf 8.5 has come a long way in almost half a century
Smooth ride
You might be wondering why I mentioned the Chinese out of the blue. Well, it’s because they are producing cars at a rate of one every second, or something like that, and bombing the South African marketplace with them. While they offer plenty spec at a very attractive price, they simply don’t deliver anywhere near the smoothness and ride quality that the Golf 8.5 does.
ALSO READ: ‘Unremovable’ filter preventing local launch of Golf 8.5 GTI and R
If I was a Chinese motorcar manufacturer, I would poach VW’s transmission/engine calibration expert. And sommer their suspension and chassis engineer and offer them millions of Euros in pay. Because if the Chinese could get this aspect of their cars right, and I am sure they will sometime in the future, then I think it would be game over for the rest of the car world.
The likes of Hyundai, Kia and Mazda will have an even bigger fight on their hands. But as it stands right now, I would personally pay the premium asked by VW for the Golf 8.5 over the equivalent Chinese offerings all day long.
Creature comforts
This said, let’s get back to the nuts and bolts of what the Golf 8.5 offers. The inside of the Golf 8.5 is a better place to be than it was in the Mk 8 version. The Life derivative features Eco LED headlights for better visibility and efficiency. You stay connected with Wireless App Connect and have the convenience of a Cruise Control System. Inside, it features a 10.3-inch Infotainment Radio, six-speaker audio system, 10-colour Ambient Lighting Dashboard and 10-inch Integrated Digital Cockpit.
Thankfully there has been a return to simplified controls to change the aircon or turn the volume up or down on the audio system. The Golf 8.5 Life also comes standard with 16 inch Norfolk alloy wheels.
In addition to the Life standard equipment, the Life Plus derivative features Driver Profile Selection, rear view camera, 30 colour ambient lighting and Art-velours sports comfort seats package.
All the bells and whistles
Moving up, the R-Line derivative features R-Line seat trim covers with head rest integrated into the seat for a sporty look, body covered bumpers in R-Line style including 17 inch Coventry alloy wheels complimented with LED plus headlamps. It also features Park Assist with Park Distance Control, Progressive steering with sports suspension, Climatronic three-zone automatic climate control with allergen filter and controls in the rear, keyless entry and multi-function heated steering wheel with shifting paddles.
In addition the R-Line Plus comes with IQ Matrix LED Headlights with illuminated VW front logo, power adjustable driver seat, active high beam, heated and cooling front seats, Vienna leather seats with R-Line logo in front, paddles in brushed stainless steel and 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels.
Golf 8.5 pricing
- Golf 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic Life – R580 900
- Golf 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic Life Plus – R604 500
- Golf 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic R-Line – R660 000
- Golf 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic R-Line Plus – R688 100
*Pricing includes three-year/120 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.
