We went to see the new VW Golf Variant. This new VW Golf Variant aims to appeal to the sportier side of drivers.
The vans are what they are: more family-oriented than the original model, therefore, with more space for kids, dogs and suitcases. They are the perfect recipe for those looking to make family holidays more “at ease” and whoever makes them will certainly know what to expect when carrying a suitcase: year after year, the number of suitcases increases, it's incredible! Saying that it's women's fault would be incorrect on my part, because today men also seem to have “suitcases” for everything.
Apart from family vacations, we have the exhausting day-to-day life of the city or small weekend trips with friends, and it is also an asset to have a car capable of withstanding the luggage setbacks of our distinguished guests and fellow travelers. Okay, I'm hitting the trunk too much, but the truth is, this is one of the attributes that catches the most attention on this new VW Golf Variant. With 605 liters of capacity (up to 1620) it is the largest luggage compartment in the segment and not only – it has two liters more capacity than the trunk of a VW Passat! Look: it even works to carry photographers and Thomas is 1.90 tall, it's not an easy task.
First contact:
We had the opportunity to drive for a few hours the new VW Golf Variant in the Sportline version, during the national presentation of the model to the press. Under the bonnet was the 105hp 1.6 TDI engine, with the traditional 5-speed gearbox – the Sportline is a level of equipment that lies between the Comfortline and the Highline. This 105 hp 1.6 TDI is the engine in which, of course, Volkswagen places all its confidence, were it not the reference engine for the national market, either for the price (from €27,175.65) or for the good performance it offers (low consumption and competent engine response).
We already knew the interiors from the new Volkswagen Golf, however the excellent quality of the materials and the ease of use should be highlighted. “O Golf das vans” retains the identity of a model built to be practical and efficient. In the new VW Golf Variant, especially in this Sportline version, the equipment is vast and quite complete, enough for daily use, comfortable and with a few more sporty “powders”.
Equipment: Sportline
In the Sportline version, the new VW Golf Variant offers the comfortline version equipment together with other sportier options. Starting with the front sports seats, we also have the tinted rear window and rear side windows (with 65% light absorption), fabric upholstery in a different pattern (“Mel Stripe” pattern), the long-awaited sports suspension and alloy wheels light “Madrid” with 225/45 R 17 tyres.
This configuration allows for a more immersive driving, for those times when we are alone and want to take full advantage of our car's dynamic capabilities. It's not a sports car, but the stiffer suspension allows for a very confident approach to corners, without compromising on safety and comfort. Naturally, the rigidity comes with a slight decrease in comfort, but during the short time that we were driving the new VW Golf Variant Sportline, it didn't seem to us that the compromise between comfort and sportiness was affected. In other words, this level of “Sportline” equipment has our endorsement.
XDS+: standard on the new VW Golf Variant
The sporty personality and concern for safety led Volkswagen to equip the new VW Golf Variant with the XDS+. But what is this about XDS+? XDS+ is a function integrated into the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. This function improves the behavior on more demanding layouts. This system, already available on the VW Golf, prevents the wheels that are on the inside of the curve from slipping.
The XDS+ informs the ESC and this generates braking pressure on the wheel, ensuring better traction. Basically, the XDS+ system acts as a differential lock, preventing the vehicle from oversteering when it enters a curve at a speed higher than the grip limit.
technology and design
The bet on an offer with the latest technology places it at the top of the segment. Highlights include the touchscreen with dimensions up to 8 inches, the Park Assist (help with parking in parallel places), the Rear Assist (rear camera), the Lane Assist (lane maintenance with steering wheel correction), the Light and Dynamic Assist (high-beam assistant/dynamic high-beam assistant), fatigue detector and a traffic sign recognition system.
The design now appears reinforced, a bit moving away from the less satisfying design of the two previous models. The rear is higher, which gives it the same sporty trait that the new VW Golf Variant intends to have. It remains to wait for the reaction of the public and consumers, to know if this recipe applied to the new VW Golf Variant will expire. As for us, we can only wait for the test and thoroughly test this new VW Golf Variant. And what does it look like to you?
Prices (from):
1.2 TSI (105 hp): €24,141.94
1.4 TSI (140 hp): €26,787.71
1.6 TDI (90 hp): €26,577.05
1.6 TDI (105 hp): €27,175.65
2.0 TDI (150 hp): €35,882.73
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Text: Diogo Teixeira
Photography: Thom V. Esveld Photography