Greatest Common Denominator

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

The Kombi-Golf is only a travel bag away from the cargo area of a Passat Variant. The Golf is also recommended as an inexpensive alternative to its big brother - especially with a small turbo engine.

By Sebastian Viehmann

Anyone who wants an economical family car from Volkswagen likes to fall back on the classic: Passat Variant, with the volume diesel 1.9 TDI under the hood. Since the price explosion at the petrol pump, the financial advantage of filling up with diesel has practically disappeared, and the fuel consumption advantage of the compression-ignition engine is being eaten up faster than ever by the higher taxes. Diesel is still worthwhile for real frequent drivers, but its bastion is shaking - also because small gasoline engines are becoming livelier and more economical thanks to turbocharging. The 1.4 TSI with 122 hp, which is even used as the basic engine in the new Scirocco and should replace the comparatively thirsty 1.6 FSI, is recommended as the egg-laying woolly milk sow.

Precise gear

The Golf Variant with the new turbo engine is available from 22,275 euros. The machine develops a maximum torque of 200 Newton meters from 1500 revs and therefore depends well on the gas without having to constantly shift. The car accelerates to 100 km / h in just under ten seconds and does not have excessive reserves when overtaking, but has enough reserves. The consumption depends entirely on how often you call up the full power of the turbocharger. An average consumption of between five and six liters can easily be achieved while gliding comfortably on the motorway. Even at a brisk pace between 140 and 180 km / h you can get by with seven to eight liters. In the city you have to reckon with just under nine liters, our test car never reached the ten mark. The practical consumption largely corresponds to the manufacturer's specifications.

A precisely graduated six-speed gearbox is used for shifting, the 7-speed DSG is optional. The Variant is very pleasant to drive, has a firm, but not too hard suspension. The cornering is smooth and safe thanks to the rear four-link axle, and there is no significant difference to the sedan.

Almost as much space as in the Passat

The rear of the Golf Variant is unlikely to go down in design history, but it serves its purpose. Anyone who also drove the previous model will quickly notice the smaller rear side windows when parking. A little overview to the rear has been lost, but compared to many other station wagons with their stylishly pulled up rear section, the Backpack Golf is in a very good position. The loading sill is a good bit lower than the Passat, the capacity is of course smaller: the Golf swallows 505 liters, but barely 100 liters less than the Passat - both cars are ultimately only separated by a large travel bag in the luggage compartment. If you don't need the double luggage compartment floor of the Golf, the volume increases to 560 liters. With the rear seats folded down, a maximum of 1550 liters of storage space is available (Passat:1731 liters).

The bottom line is that the Golf trunk is even a bit easier to load because the bulky trunk does not get in the way of the wheelhouses. When it comes to the space for the passengers, the Golf has to fit, of course, but it doesn't offer the generous knee room of the Passat, especially for rear passengers. But four adults can be comfortably accommodated in combi golf without restriction. The driver is happy about a tight seat with good lateral support.

Practical instead of beautiful

The golf cockpit is well made and functional, but real visual delicacies look different. In keeping with the car, the interior design meets the average taste and does not offend anyone. VW is a little lacking in ideas when it comes to storage space, especially when compared to its French competition. There is a lack of storage space on the center console, and the storage compartment / cup holder combination with the divider in the middle that can be used as a bottle opener only looks practical at first glance: Who likes to rearrange their things when they want to place a coffee mug.

The Variant 1.4 TSI Comfortline (22,275 euros) is equipped with power windows and exterior mirrors, on-board computer, air conditioning, cruise control, ESP, leather steering wheel, lumbar support and acoustic parking aid, among other things. The range of extras, including various radio and navigation systems, is numerous, but VW is also affordable. A quick price comparison with the competition: The Ford Focus Tournament (125 PS petrol engine) costs 21,500 euros with roughly comparable Ghia equipment, the Kia Cee ?? d Sporty Wagon (1.6 liter petrol engine with 126 PS) is in the medium equipment Ex to have from 19,190 euros. The Opel Astra Caravan (1.6-liter petrol engine with 115 hp) is available in medium equipment for 20,965 euros. Another interesting alternative is the Skoda Octavia station wagon,which with a 160 hp turbo gasoline engine in Ambiente equipment costs only 23,150 euros.