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THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Reviewed by Colin Hefferon  The Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.8 Volkswagen’s GLS 1.8T ups the ante in the hot hatch stakes. The latest iteration of the original hot hatch is mostly -- though not entirely -- about going fast. But, hey, if you’re reading this, you already know that. If you click on an article about Britney Spears, you’re pretty sure you’re not going to read about semiconductor physics. Loaded up with sunroof, power group, air-conditioning and 6-spoke alloy wheels, the GLS 1.8T is not exactly dirt-cheap but it gives terrific bang for your buck. The turbocharged engine provides astonishing acceleration; this Golf is serious-quick to 60 mph. It just kept pulling hard to about 80 mph when I ran out of spunk. Although the GLS has excellent handling, it’s not idiot-proof. With this kind of power on tap (150 hp @ 5700 rpm), the GLS 1.8T promises to be a handful on slippery roads, since it lacks an electronic traction control system. Euro-style marketing VW appears to be experimenting with a bit of European-style marketing by making two hot engines available in essentially the same car. A European or Japanese manufacturer will offer its home-market buyers a half-dozen or more engine options in a popular model including several that could be considered hot. Typically, that same manufacturer will only offer one or two engines per model to North American buyers with, perhaps, only one that could be considered "hot." The GLS 1.8T is a fun car to drive; this is obvious just from the spec sheet. It’s German-engineered (made in Mexico, however) with a high-powered, easy-revving engine, and sophisticated underpinnings. It’s also unexpectedly luxurious but not in a gimmicky way. Everything in the car is understated and just plain well-made. The seats are firm and very supportive. Ergonomics are generally terrific: All of the controls fall readily to hand. Even the controls on the stereo system - the optional Monsoon on my test car - were easy to read. (The system produced an excellent sound, incidentally). The driver’s seat is particularly comfortable. It has a unique, very functional, crank-operated height adjustment. The front passenger seat has the same adjustments as the driver’s, including height. Not many cars outside the full-blown luxury class seem to have this feature. Most could use it, however. To get the right driving position, the steering wheel can be moved in and out, which seems to be the European car industry’s take on the tilt-steering favored by North American and Japanese manufacturers. (Editor's note, with apologies to Colin: European cars had this feature long before Detroit even thought about tilt wheels. It allowed drivers to adjust the wheel position according to their personal driving style. Tilt wheels were invented so North American men with pot bellies could squeeze themselves into the front seat.) Cupholders have been upgraded There are even cupholders, for heaven’s sakes. Unlike the cupholders that were (grudgingly) included in the Golf a couple of years ago, they appear to be quite sturdy and should last the life of the car. Although it’s a go-fast, very tossable kind of fun car, the Golf is also a very convenient transportation appliance. With the rear seats folded down, and access from the rear hatch, over 18 cubic feet of carrying space is available; as much space as many larger cars offer. And with all seats in place, there’s still ample room in the back for two passengers and their luggage -- as long as you’re all not toting PGA tournament bags. The sophisticated sport suspension provides a surprisingly comfortable, no-jounce ride, in normal about-town driving. Most sport suspensions, especially those in some of the Japanese competition’s boy-racers, can rattle your back teeth on uneven city streets. You’re likely to find the Golf’s ride quite acceptable. My 4-door GLS test car (the 2-door Golf is called the GL) came with optional air, luxury package (power sunroof and 15 inch alloy wheels), aforementioned Monsoon sound system and sport suspension. These added about $3000 to the base price. I would specify all of them if I were buying this car for myself. Choose options wisely I would also specify the Side Curtain Protection (air bag). This is a relatively inexpensive option on the GLS (under $200). It provides extra protection in the event you do an unplanned Immelmann maneuver. Of course, two-stage front air bags are standard, as is ABS on the four largish disc brakes. I’m not so sure I’d go for heated washer nozzles and heated front seats, though, unless I lived in a part of the world that’s a lot colder than Vancouver. I still consider things like heated seats to fall into the category of wretched excess. I admit I might feel differently if I lived in someplace like Eau Claire, Wisconsin, or Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. To sum up, the Golf GLS 1.8t is a very sophisticated, Euro-sized, 3-door sports hatch. It goes like stink and can carry you and three of your full-size friends plus enough beer and stuff to get you and your pals through an entire long weekend at the cottage (assuming that's your idea of a good time). If all of you are going skiing on that weekend, however, you’ll likely need one of those streamlined rooftop carry-alls for your skis, boots, and heavy winter gear. In essentially the same form, the Golf (a.k.a., Rabbit) has been one of the best-selling cars in Europe for over three decades. With the 1.8t engine available in the Golf -- it should maintain its place for at least another decade. Photos © Volkswagen Vancouver-based Colin Hefferon regularly tests and reviews new vehicles. Though an automotive enthusiast by nature, Colin takes the perspective of the average car owner. Which, after all, is most of us! Colin Hefferon is the road test editor for About Cars where more of his car reviews may be found. |
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