2004 VW Golf 1.6 Comfortline

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Photo: William McIntosh, Wheels24

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Author: Wilmer Muller

In the 90s with the launch of the Golf 4, VW moved the marque more upmarket, with top-notch fit and finish.

Naturally its rivals had to match this, and Renault did an excellent job when it launched its striking Megane II. Arch rival Opel also ensured that its all-new Astra could be match for the Golf.

However, Volkswagen has again produced a car which is bigger, better, and once more the superb driver's car that has always been the keynote of the Golf brand.

Image

At first glance it is very easy for the uninformed car buyer to mistake the Golf 5 for a face-lifted Golf 4. As I said earlier, unlike with the Renault Megane II, the new Opel Astra and the Alfa 147 VW decided not take to a radical design route with the Golf.

Compared to its competitors the design is conservative and more evolutionary than anything else. It is obvious that VW didn't want to mess around with a winning formula, although the car has sharper styling without being controversial.

The Golf is also more rounded and bigger than its predecessor while its lines appear clean and uncluttered.

There are traditional Golf design cues such as the four round headlights, bigger on the outsides and smaller on the insides.

The dual lights are grouped behind a big teardrop-shaped lens made of polycarbonate - which, incidentally, has seven times the light transmission of glass while being VERY hard to break.

The car's side profile also resembles that of Golf 4.

However, the bonnet and the lower sills of the car are unlike anything seen in Golf before. The fenders are raised more prominently, while the bonnet is flat and aggressive.

At the rear the car looks completely different from the Golf 4. The boxy-shaped hatch and square taillight has made way for a more rounded, almost bubble-shaped, design.

The taillights now look more aggressive and are similar looking to those of the Touareg and Phaeton. The result is a more muscular and distinctive presence. It also has a more solid look than before, and overall the car appears very stylish.

VW also deserve some credit for the attention to detail on the Golf 5 - for example the car has side indicators in the rear view mirrors and then there is the striking intricate lens design of the brake lights.

Interior

Looking at the interior, VW also decided to play safe. There are clean lines, and the conservatively designed cabin has a typical VW look and feel to it.

It is easy to spot the Golf's family relation with the Polo and Passat as it has almost the same dashboard design. But it works well.

The Golf 4 set new standards in terms of interior quality, and Golf 5 has battled to improve too much on this.

Although fit and finish are good, some of the cabin's plastics disappointed. The plastic of the centre console, housing the audio system and climate control, was a little on the hard side, and didn't have an upmarket appearance as expected from VW.

Despite this, the Golf's interior layout is good and ergonomics are excellent. The controls for items such as the audio system and air conditioning are easy to reach and operate, while the gear lever and pedals are also well positioned.

The traditional blue instrument lighting is also classy and gives a very nice ambience at night.

One also notices that the Golf 5 has improved interior space. There is ample leg and headroom, with rear passengers benefiting the most.

The car is well built and shut lines are tight, with the doors having a very solid feeling when closing them

Equipment

The new Golf comes well equipped, providing excellent comfort features. All Golfs have tinted windows and electric windows front and rear, except the entry-level 1.6 Trendline (which has front electric windows only).

There are also colour-coded electrically operated side mirrors which can be heated in cold weather conditions. An anti-dazzle internal rear-view mirror is standard.

Driving pleasure is enhanced by a wide range of electronic features and aids which include the on-board multi-function computer display in the instrument cluster.

This computer displays information ranging from fuel consumption current and average, fuel tank range to average speed and driving time.

The radio control buttons and switches are large and easy to grip while not intruding on the overall aesthetic appeal of the interior.

As expected the steering column is rake and reach adjustable and the Golf has VW's Servotronic power steering.

Another useful feature is the headlight's "coming home" function which switches them on as soon as the car's doors are unlocked so that the driver can see while approaching the car in the dark.

Then there are rain sensing wipers and a 12 volt power point in the back, as well as a front-loader radio/CD with no fewer than 10 speakers, plus cruise control.

There's also a built-in bottle opener in the cupholders, plus towbar preparation.

Options include items such as satellite navigation, six-disc CD-changer, a sunroof and leather upholstery.

What we do have difficulty understanding is why there are no satellite controls for the audio system at the steering wheel. This should be a standard feature on a car in this class and VW should seriously consider introducing this on the Golf.

For some reason VW/Audi feels it is not necessary to add this feature as standard on premium models - wake up guys you're lagging behind rivals, and detail DOES count!

Under the skin

The 1.6-litre engines are different to those available in the outgoing Golf models, although power output is virtually unchanged. It kicks out 75 kW at 5 600 r/min and 148 Nm of torque at 3 800 r/min.

This model also comes with a six-speed gearbox, with sixth a fuel-saving overdrive gear. Running gear is provided by McPherson struts in the front, and a multi-link rear axle.

Furthermore the Golf also features VW's Servotronic speed-sensitive steering. This new steering system reduces the amount of power assistance to the steering effort the faster the car goes. In other words, when parking at very low speeds it can be turned with very little effort.

At high speeds, however, the power assistance is reduced to negligible levels, so that the steering feel is as direct as possible.

The car benefits from the full array of safety devices available such as eight airbags at the front and sides. ABS, ASR and EBD are also standard.

Driving it

Volkswagen's aim with the new Golf was to ensure that driving pleasure is paramount, and this shows at the first turn of the wheel.

The new Golf chassis is extremely stiff - 80% better than before - and this is apparent on the road.

This hatch has extremely crisp handling, with very positive turn-in. It also has good grip and is also rather sharp, but I felt the Servotronic power steering lacked a bit of feedback.

When we pushed the car hard through the corners and tight bends we found the Golf extremely forgiving and very, very neutral. Add in ASC, and you'd have to be either daft or inept to get into trouble.

Furthermore there is little body roll and understeer, while the overall ride quality is very good.

The 1.6-litre engine is a bit mediocre and although its power felt acceptable at sea level, it could be underpowered at higher altitudes.

Top speed on the 1.6 models is 184 km/h and 0-100 km/h is dispatched in just 11.4 seconds. Overall fuel consumption is 7.2 litres/100 km.

The bigger cabin makes a ride in the new Golf quite comfortable and the seats also provide good support. As with previous generation Golfs there are irritating blind spots because of the size of the B and C-pillars.

Conclusion

The new Golf doesn't have the same easy task as its predecessor. Whereas the Golf 4 was by far the class-leader when it was launched in the mid 90s, with excellent fit and finish, the latest model is pitched against some serious competition.

It has to rival cars such as the all-new Astra and the award-winning Renault Megane. Furthermore BMW has also moved into Golf territory. Like the Golf, all these cars offer a great package in terms of build quality, interior finish and equipment.

However, despite VW's reluctance to give the Golf 5 an adventurous design treatment it is still a desirable car. The new Golf has loads of class, without being in your face - it is more like a "sense of knowing".

Furthermore the new Golf does its heritage as a class-leading hatchback proud. It is a better car than the Golf 4 and you also get more car for your money.

Yes, the Golf is probably not as striking as the Megane but it does still have a very exclusive aura to it. As we said in our test of the 2.0 TDI model, the Golf is still an upmarket and trend-setting hatch, while it also looks and feels well built.

This is still a car you would like to park in your driveway and the Golf has retained its image as an aspirational vehicle.

But it is in for a tough fight, especially in the 1600-engine entry-level segment. That apart, the Golf makes a quantum leap forward in its latest incarnation.

Pluses

Bit underpowered - we want the 1.6 FSI!