2004 VW Golf 2.0 TDI

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Photo: William McIntosh, Wheels24

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Author: Wilmer Muller

The motoring world actually has to be very thankful to the VW Golf.

When VW introduced the first Golf in the mid-70s it boosted the growing hatchback market, which soon became hotly contested.

Then VW followed with the introduction of the GTI, opening-up a hot hatch niche market. Again the competitors followed, and all rivals are always being measured up against the GTI.

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 upped its ante with the all-new Astra.

Therefore VW had to ensure that the new Golf, which is a big profit earner for Wolfsburg, is still an aspirational model with an exclusive feeling.

To keep image conscious buyers happy VW again moved it more upmarket, but where does this leave the Golf when compared to its rivals? Read on...

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.

The 2.0 TDI also has climate control with a feature which makes it shut down to recirculate mode when reverse is selected to stop exhaust fumes entering the car.

It also has a dual mode function which allows driver and passenger to select their own temperature. Furthermore it senses if the sun is shining more on one side of the car than the other, and compensates accordingly.

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.

Sportline models, such as our test car, also feature titanium-look inserts on the dash as well as sports seats and leather covering for the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake gaiter.

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, leather upholstery, wood trim and 17-inch, instead of 16-inch, wheels.

What I 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

There are now two diesel models in the local Golf range, a 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI unit, the latter the one we tested. The 1.9 TDI engine's performance figures are 77 kW and 250 Nm.

The new top-of-the-range 2.0 TDI, with 16 valves, has 103 kW at 4 000 r/min at hand, while torque is a hefty 320 Nm at only 1 750 r/min. The 16 valves help the Pump Düse system to breathe better so that the power is more relaxed.

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

Thanks to its lively performance the Golf 2.0 TDI offers an entertaining drive. This car is a keen performer and it is really punchy while it has great pulling power in any of its six gears.

VW claims a top speed of 203 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint of 9.3 seconds.

We appreciated the car's crisp handling and the car's very controlled suspension - especially the multilink rear - which ensured that it remained neutral and predictable.

It doesn't lose its posture through corners and it feels very stable at higher speeds. The car had good grip and was also rather sharp but the Servotronic power steering lacked a bit of feedback.

Overall the Golf is an eager, controlled and satisfying hatch to drive while it offers superb refinement.

Although the 2-litre turbodiesel engine is great fun you are always aware of its presence under the bonnet and you feel a bit of the vibration in the gearlever.

It doesn't feel too smooth at lower speeds, and when idling there is always a bit of a rumble. However, at higher speeds it does quiet down and fortunately there is very little road noise.

VW's turbodiesel technology ensures that fuel consumption can be as low as 4.5 litres/100km on an open road, and in an urban cycle VW claims that it will be 7.1 litres/100km. Its average fuel consumption of 5.4 litres for every 100 km travelled will easily give the 2.0 TDI a range of about 750 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

Despite VW's reluctance to give the Golf 5 an adventurous design treatment it is still one of the most desirable cars in its segment. The new Golf has loads of class, without being in your face - it is more like a sense of knowing.

Although the 2.0 TDI Sport, which is the current range-topper until the GTI arrives in 2005 is a great car, it is not necessarily the best buy in the range.

We have doubts that it is worth paying R18 000 more for it than the 2.0 FSI model. It is also about R30 000 more expensive than the Golf 1.9 TDI. Both these models are better value for money, and you can rather add extra specs with the money you save on buying the range-topper.

You probably also won't buy the 2.0 TDI, which is described as a premium hatch, for its fuel-saving capabilities, but rather for its range-topping status and punchy diesel engine.

But looking at the overall picture 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.

Although it is not as striking as the Megane it does still have a very exclusive aura to it. 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 retained its image as an aspirational vehicle.

Pluses

Diesels at times a bit noisy