And since the rear seats fold down, said trunk is surprisingly roomy.
On the downside, the cabin is not too soundproof, and a lot of wind and road noise seeps in. It’s to be expected with a car this size, but not to the point where you have to raise your voice to keep the conversation flowing.
Surprising engine
The real surprise is under the hood. As I’ve said, even though I know about diesel engines, my past as a pump attendant has coloured my judgment, and I see them as noisy, dirty affairs. The Golf TDI proved me dead wrong.
On start up, the engine purrs smoothly, and though its voice is a little more metallic, it’s certainly as discrete as that of a gas engine. But the real news here is acceleration.
The slightest pressure on the gas pedal sends the car sailing along, thanks especially to the diesel engine’s extra dollop of torque. To my great surprise, the transmission is also a winner. It controls the engine speed and keeps it so low that you don’t even realize you’re accelerating.
Indeed, you barely hit the 1,800-rpm mark when cruising at highway speeds. It’s almost as if the engine were asleep. A stroke of genius not only were fuel efficiency is concerned, but also throttle response.
What’s more, the Golf sports efficient, though not spectacular, brakes, and a suspension system that definitely emphasizes comfort, though it still manages to limit any attempts at rolling in corners, even those attacked with a little more enthusiasm.
Conclusion
At the end of my week, I had to face the facts. My bias was completely unfounded, and I even surprised myself by how much I appreciated both the automatic transmission and the diesel engine. And I’m convinced that everyone who tries out the Golf TDI will come to the same conclusion.
It has its weaknesses, to be sure, but the Golf, even the TDI version, has kept every ounce of charm that has set it apart from the beginning.
On the downside, the cabin is not too soundproof, and a lot of wind and road noise seeps in. It’s to be expected with a car this size, but not to the point where you have to raise your voice to keep the conversation flowing.
Surprising engine
The real surprise is under the hood. As I’ve said, even though I know about diesel engines, my past as a pump attendant has coloured my judgment, and I see them as noisy, dirty affairs. The Golf TDI proved me dead wrong.
On start up, the engine purrs smoothly, and though its voice is a little more metallic, it’s certainly as discrete as that of a gas engine. But the real news here is acceleration.
 |
| On start up, the engine purrs smoothly, and though its voice is a little more metallic, it’s certainly as discrete as that of a gas engine. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
The slightest pressure on the gas pedal sends the car sailing along, thanks especially to the diesel engine’s extra dollop of torque. To my great surprise, the transmission is also a winner. It controls the engine speed and keeps it so low that you don’t even realize you’re accelerating.
Indeed, you barely hit the 1,800-rpm mark when cruising at highway speeds. It’s almost as if the engine were asleep. A stroke of genius not only were fuel efficiency is concerned, but also throttle response.
What’s more, the Golf sports efficient, though not spectacular, brakes, and a suspension system that definitely emphasizes comfort, though it still manages to limit any attempts at rolling in corners, even those attacked with a little more enthusiasm.
Conclusion
At the end of my week, I had to face the facts. My bias was completely unfounded, and I even surprised myself by how much I appreciated both the automatic transmission and the diesel engine. And I’m convinced that everyone who tries out the Golf TDI will come to the same conclusion.
It has its weaknesses, to be sure, but the Golf, even the TDI version, has kept every ounce of charm that has set it apart from the beginning.
Article Gallery