Comfort Like an E-Class

The first car I drove at the new Volkswagen Golf test drive event in Hakone was the Golf Variant TSI Highline in Atlantic Blue Metallic, a deep navy. I was surprised by its comfortable ride. It felt like a large car, more like a Mercedes-BenzC-Classthan anE-Class.

Well, I'm exaggerating a bit, but please forgive me as I drove here in my small 2002 Renault Lutecia. Most cars feel better after switching from mine. Still, I can't help but admire how well the latest Golf is made. It's a great car.

The Golf Variant, though factually different, has a ride comfort so settled it feels like its wheelbase is longer than the Golf hatchback's. The extra 70kg in the rear, about the weight of one adult, might be working in its favor. It's slightly firm, as expected from a German car, but the suspension moves well. The body rigidity is like that of a medieval stone castle.

The main improvements in this "Golf 7.5," which received a minor change about three and a half years after its release in Germany, are its digital capabilities and the enhancement of its driver assistance systems, including "Alltrack Safety" automatic braking and traffic jam assist. There's no specific mention of powertrain changes, except for the high-performance models like theGTIand theR. For the standard Golf, both the hatchback and the wagon Variant are still composed of three grades from bottom to top: "Trendline," "Comfortline," and "Highline."

The Minor Change Aims to Further Elevate the Golf's Premium Status

Only the Highline was available at this test drive event. The reason for this is that the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, "Active Info Display," which was adopted after the "Passat" hybrid, theGTE, and theTiguan, is only available on the Highline. If the main selling point of the minor change is the digital meter, we can't just shrug and say, 'Oh, it's not available on Trendline and Comfortline.'"

The signature LED headlights are also standard only on the Highline, and the flowing LED taillights with "dynamic turn signals" are an option on the Highline when choosing the "Technology Package," which includes the "Active Info Display" digital meter.

Volkswagen's aim can be understood as part of an effort to further brand and premiumize the Golf. The Trendline is priced at 2,499,000 yen, the Comfortline at 2,799,000 yen, and the Highline at 3,259,000 yen. The "Technology Package," available only on the Highline, costs 172,800 yen, and the genuine infotainment system including the "Discover Pro" navigation is 226,800 yen. Together, that's 3,658,600 yen. The Golf GTI, priced at 3,899,000 yen, comes into view—. Hmm. It must be a difficult decision for those who want a Golf. The era of the 4-million-yen Golf is fast approaching. Incidentally, sales of the Golf VII are split roughly evenly between Comfortline and Highline. The Trendline, at just under 2.5 million yen, apparently has a slightly longer delivery time.

Of course, I'm not criticizing this move towards premiumization. I have my own circumstances, and Volkswagen has its own.

Impressive Low-End Torque from the 1.4-Liter TSI Unit

The Golf Variant feels spacious in the rear due to its longer roof, but its main advantage is the large cargo space. As a side note, the space-saver spare tire is stored under the cargo floor, which I found impressive, typical of Volkswagen. It offers much greater peace of mind than just a tire repair kit.

I believe that with the Golf Variant, you don't need the Passat, but there are people who want the Passat, and they have their own reasons, which I don't need to reiterate here. Ah, what am I rambling about?

The Golf 7.5 is truly a great car. After the Variant, I drove the pure white hatchback TSI Highline and, like the Variant, made a round trip up to the teahouse on the Hakone Skyline pass. What was impressive was the tremendous low-end torque of the 1.4-liter TSI unit. While its maximum output is a modest 140 ps, its maximum torque is 250 Nm. This provides the driving force equivalent to a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm. It was more pronounced in the Variant due to the heavier rear, but for example, on a slightly uphill T-junction common in Hakone, if you stop and then carelessly step on the accelerator, the front tires will spin and screech. I didn't intend to—For a practical car, it has too much torque.

The hatchback is a more balanced car, and I think that with the hatchback, you don't need the Variant. However, there are people who want the Golf Variant, and they have their own reasons, which I don't need to reiterate here.

The TSI comes standard with a "Driving Profile" function, allowing you to switch the engine and 7-speed DSG shift programs between "Eco," "Sport," and "Custom." The switch is hidden behind the shift lever, and you might miss it if you're not looking. It seems I was driving in "Sport" mode, so if you feel there's too much torque, perhaps you should try driving in "Eco" mode.

Might Be More Enjoyable Than Its Sibling, the Audi S3

Finally, I drove the most powerful Golf version, the "R," on the Ashinoko Skyline. The 2-liter direct-injection turbo for the GTI boasts a 10 ps increase to 230 ps, but the 4WD R version is a powerful 30 ps more, reaching 310 ps. Over 300 ps was supercar territory not too long ago, though that was in the 70s. Like the GTI, a manual transmission is available, but the test car was equipped with a 7-speed DSG and standard 18-inch 225/40 low-profile tires. The brand was Potenza S001.

After confirming this, I started driving and immediately felt it was exceptionally crisp and firm. It is indeed firm, but it is equipped with "DCC (Adaptive Chassis Control)" electronic variable dampers, making it extremely comfortable despite its firmness, without any rattling or shaking of the body. It's firm yet flat and pleasant.

The car weighs 1,510 kg, which is two classes heavier than a standard Golf. The Highline hatchback weighs 1,320 kg, with the front and rear loads each increased by about 100 kg. However, the R's turbo unit doesn't seem to mind this weight increase at all. It boasts a maximum output of 310 ps from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm from 2,000 to 5,400 rpm. This is equivalent to a 4-liter V8 in terms of naturally aspirated engines.

Even in normal mode, it emits a deep, pleasant exhaust note, but when you switch the drive mode to Race, the "Gooooo" exhaust sound intensifies, and the DSG program automatically switches from D to S. As you brake hard before a corner, it downshifts with a "bwaah bwaah" rev-matching blip just by applying the brakes. Then, full throttle! Because it's 4WD, it's extremely stable. Perhaps it might be more enjoyable than its sibling, the AudiS3——.

The Golf R comes standard with the digital meter, navigation, flowing LED taillights, and exclusive leather seats, priced at 5,599,000 yen. It's 100,000 yen cheaper with the 6-speed manual. For those who prefer the Variant body, it's available for an additional 100,000 yen.

With the Golf R, you don't need the Audi S3, which costs 6,060,000 yen, or so I think. But there are people who absolutely must have the S3, and they have their own reasons, which I don't need to reiterate here. Even knowing this, I find myself murmuring, 'With the Golf, do you even need anything else?'

Volkswagen Golf TSI Highline | Volkswagen Golf TSI Highline
Body Dimensions | Length 4,265 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,480 mm
Wheelbase | 2,635 mm
Engine | 1,197cc Inline 4-Cylinder DOHC Intercooled Turbo
Max Output | 103 kW (140 ps) / 4,500-6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 250 Nm (25.5 kgm) / 1,500-3,500 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed DSG
Min Turning Radius | 5.2m
Seating Capacity | 5 people
JC08 Mode Fuel Economy | 18.1 km/ℓ
Price | 3,259,000 yen

Volkswagen Golf Variant TSI Highline | Volkswagen Golf Variant TSI Highline
Body Dimensions | Length 4,575 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,485 mm
Wheelbase | 2,635 mm
Engine | 1,394cc Inline 4-Cylinder DOHC Intercooled Turbo
Max Output | 103 kW (140 ps) / 4,500-6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 250 Nm (25.5 kgm) / 1,500-3,500 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed DSG
Min Turning Radius | 5.2m
Seating Capacity | 5 people
JC08 Mode Fuel Economy | 17.3 km/ℓ
Price | 3,399,000 yen

Volkswagen Golf R | Volkswagen Golf R
Body Dimensions | Length 4,275 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,465 mm
Wheelbase | 2,635 mm
Engine | 1,984cc Inline 4-Cylinder DOHC Intercooled Turbo
Max Output | (MT) 228 kW (310 ps) / 5,800-6,500 rpm
　　　　　　　(DSG) 228 kW (310 ps) / 5,500-6,500 rpm
Max Torque | (MT) 380 Nm (38.7 kgm) / 1,850-5,700 rpm
　　　　　　　(DSG) 400 Nm (40.8 kgm) / 2,000-5,400 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed MT / 7-speed AT (DSG)
Min Turning Radius | 5.2m
Seating Capacity | 5 people
JC08 Mode Fuel Economy | (MT) 12.6 km/ℓ 　　(DSG) 13.0 km/ℓ
Price | (MT) 5,499,000 yen 　　(DSG) 5,599,000 yen