Autocar - First for car news and reviews

What is it?

This is the sixth generation Volkswagen Golf, the latest interpretation of a model that was launched 34 years ago and has sold 26 million units world wide. It’s also probably the first Golf that does not mark a complete break from it’s predecessor.

Underneath, the Mk6 Golf uses the same platform as the Mk5, with various engineering upgrades including a further increase in stiffness and more advanced ESP system. In the flesh the styling hasn’t been moved on that f...Read the full article

"New" Golf? Are you kidding me?

I know you point out the similarities to the previous Golf but please, this article seems to have come straight from VW themselves.

 Thanks for mentioning the new rubber seals guys and thicker glass guys I'll sleep better now. Rather have a Civic though.

I cannot believe how wide cars like this are getting.  Another ten years and you'll need Police outriders.  We know safety zones don't account for all this extra width, so why do they keep getting so wide and long?  Is it for fat Americans i wonder?

It is good to read that the Mk6 is an advance on the 5, even if the report,as mentioned by another correpondent  does seem to have come straight from VW themselves. Go on admit it, the ad dept couldn't have done better. BUT... My question is - are we to be offerred a new Jetta/Vento/Bora with these advances? I need the boot and drop down back seats to get a wheelchair ramp in (5ft long). I really like my current Bora but will, one day, need a replacement. (I would rather not have an Estate).

The New Golf is really growing on me. I much prefer the styling - whilst it's conservative still, it looks better quality, what with the chrome and sharp surfaces. If the interior is as good quality to the touch as the Mk4 was, Volkswagen will sell tons. Also not forgetting how economical the new model is, and that the Bluemotion's CO2's will be 99 g/km!! I know it's no Civic in terms of the looks and practicality, but the only offputting thing with the Civic is the rear visibility and lack of a wiper (which can be annoying!). Overall, I think VW could have been braver, but then the Golf is an important car for Volkswagen, and I like the return to simplicity.

 Surely the Mk4 was a development of the Mk3?

I reckon you're right on the chassis side, but at least the body was all new (even if it was still an evolution looks-wise).  This "mk 6" is so obviously the same car, no matter how many detail changes how can they possibly justify this as "new" iteration?  It is just so unadventurous, with an equally boring VW parts bin interior, they must surely be relying on the loyal customers to just upgrade to the new model - but I don't see how this will attract new buyers.  VW obviously could not justify the cost to make a completely new car, especially considering the reputed development/build costs of the mk5.  But I wish they (and Autocar) would stop trying to pretend that this is such a big step...

I know VW are planning to bring out a new range of engines early in the life of this car which may be good for economy and emissions but this car seems very conservative.

 A car that is more pleasing to sit in or sit on the drive but otherwise offers almost nothing new. 

 If VW had looked to the low weight of the Mk 1 Golf for inspiration could they not have done much better? 

Everyone forgets the Mk2 Golf.  This is it's spiritual successor.  Conservative, refined and economical - Golfs are not about flair really.  VW aren't messing about and they know the market - this will beat the Astra and the Meganne easily.  It should do given the likely cost.

W124:

Conservative, refined and economical - Golfs are not about flair really. 

 

I agree entirely- I don't perceive Golf's as ever having had 'flair'. This car, at least since Mk2, has always been about solidity, conservatism and upward mobility (how out-of-date that phrase sounds today). Personally, I've completely outgrown the Golf ethos and choose cars with individuality and passion- flair, I suppose.

Thank God they didn't stick that Eos face on the front of it!

I quite like the look of it and if it can approach the tank like build and marshmallow soft ride qualifty of the mk4 with the decent handling of the mk5 then they are onto a winner.  The thing about the Civic (and I have one) is not the visilibilty or lack of wiper but the rock hard ride and shocking build qualtiy.  The thing rides like a tank and rattles like an 80's Citroen.  Looks great, handles well and has a great engine / gearbox.

 This Golf could quite easily tempt me out.

"if it can approach the tank like build"

Given that this early redesign was purely for cost-cutting purposes I think you can anticipate that underneath the revised skin a lot of the solidarity that marked out a Golf has disappeared. Let's hope that this has made the mk.6 easier to build so that there is a chance that fit and finish is back to VW's supposed standards rather than the "fits where it touches" approach of the mk. 5