Before its official South African launch, we were handed the key fob to the highly-anticipated 8.5-generation Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI for an exclusive first drive on local shores. First impressions here…
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Fast Facts: VW Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Plus Tiptronic
- Price: R688 100
- Powertrain: 1.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: Front
- Power: 110 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 250 N.m @ 1 500-4 000 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds*
- Top speed: 216 km/h*
- Fuel consumption: 6.3 L/100 km*
- CO2 emissions: 143 g/km*
*Claimed figures
Volkswagen’s “entry-level” Golf variants have always been favourites among the CAR team. We’ve lauded standard Golfs for their all-around sophistication. With every generation — each a product of evolution, rather than revolution — VW’s global best-selling hatchback just seemed to get better and better, and has proved itself an impressively poised family hatchback. However, does the 8.5 iteration retain the “Golf-ness” its predecessors have become so renowned for?
Recently, we were afforded the opportunity to sample the 8.5-generation VW Golf 1.4 TSI for an exclusive first South African drive and road test (be sure to keep an eye out for the May 2025 issue for the latter) to find out whether this remains the case with the 8.5 iteration.
Related: Review: Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 4Motion DSG
What are we driving?
We are driving the 8.5-generation VW Golf 1.4 TSI, the entry point to the German marque’s local Golf line-up, which, until recently, only comprised the (eighth-generation) GTI and R.
The “entry-level” Golf driven here is by no means “entry-level”, however. The model you see here is specified in R-Line Plus grade, which spearheads the four-strong South African Golf 1.4 TSI range. Life, Life Plus and R-Line levels of specification are also available.
The Golf 1.4 TSI employs the Wolfsburg-based brand’s familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged four-pot, which produces 110 kW and 250 N.m of torque. Noteworthy, whereas the 1.4 TSI Tiguan, which we tested in the December 2024 issue of CAR magazine, sends drive to its front axle via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the Golf’s 1.4 TSI unit is exclusively coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
VW claims an average fuel consumption of 6.3 L/100 km for the Golf’s Tiptronic-equipped 1.4 TSI. Matching VW’s figure allows for a driving range of 794 km, before its 50-litre fuel tank needs to be replenished.
Related: Road Test: Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI R-Line DSG
Why is the VW Golf 1.4 TSI significant?
The VW Golf 1.4 TSI is significant for the SA market because its introduction signifies the first time an “entry-level” Golf is available on our shores since the seventh generation was discontinued and eighth generation introduced a few years ago.
See, with our market’s preference towards the GTI and R (ours is one of the biggest for performance-focused Golfs), the standard Golf derivatives (1.0 TSI, 1.4 TSI, 2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI) were gradually discontinued in SA. (The final seventh-generation Golf available in SA was the GTI TCR, which we tested in the November 2020 issue of CAR magazine.)
So when the eighth generation, which we sampled in 2.0 TDI guise at its international launch in Portugal for the March 2020 issue of CAR magazine, was revealed, the decision remained to offer the Golf exclusively in GTI and R formats in SA.
However, following the global debut of the 8.5 iteration in 2024, VW announced a non-performance Golf will finally return to its local portfolio. Noteworthy, it’s the only updated eighth generation available in SA.
Indeed, owing to the issues surrounding SA’s fuel quality, the local introduction of the 8.5-generation GTI and R, the latter of which we sampled in Arvidsjaur, Sweden, remains on ice for SA. The pre-facelifted (eighth-generation) GTI and R thus soldier on in our market.
Related: Road Test: Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR DSG
What is new on the 8.5-generation VW Golf?
In addition to introducing the aforementioned Life Plus and R-Line Plus levels of specifiction to VW’s local model line-up, the 8.5 generation ushers in several updates, most notably to the interior, to the modern Golf.
A highlight of the package, the 8.5 iteration ditches the eighth generation’s 8.25-inch, touch-enabled infotainment display for a larger, 12.9-inch unit. The screen is crisp, intuitive and within easy reach of the driver. Further contributing to the impressive interior ergonomics is the fitment of physical buttons, as opposed to the eighth generation’s haptic items, on the multifunction steering wheel. VW’s 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrumentation array is standard across the range.
While even the base, Life-spec derivative and Life Plus models are generously equipped as standard, R-Line and R-Line Plus gain keyless entry, three-zone climate control, VW’s ‘Park Assist’ and ‘Park Distance Control’ setups, and upgraded ambient lighting. R-Line Plus further features heated and ventilated ‘Vienna” leather front pews, the driver’s of which is electrically adjustable.
Though sporting an, ahem, sportier body kit and 18-inch ‘Leeds’ alloys as standard (‘York’ wheels of the same size can be seen here), perhaps the most notable feature setting the R-Line Plus apart from its stablemates is the illuminated VW emblem on its nose. The latter item forms part of R-Line Plus spec’s standard-fitment IQ.Light LED matrix headlamp array.
The R-Line and R-Line Plus also gain VW’s “Progressive” steering setup and (firmer) sports suspension. But more on the latter later.
How much does the VW Golf 1.4 TSI cost?
The local Golf 1.4 TSI line-up is priced from R580 900 for the Life variant to R688 100 for the R-Line Plus derivative driven here. Positioned between these two models, the Life Plus and R-Line are priced from R604 500 and R660 000, respectively. Pricing includes a five-year/90 000 km service plan and a warranty spanning three years or 120 000 km.
- VW Golf 1.4 TSI Life Tiptronic — R580 900
- VW Golf 1.4 TSI Life Plus Tiptronic — R604 500
- VW Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Tiptronic — R660 000
- VW Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Plus Tiptronic — R688 100
What are the VW Golf 1.4 TSI’s rivals?
Depending on the derivative, the Golf 1.4 TSI’s rivals come in the shape of the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid, Mazda’s Mazda3, the Mini Cooper Hatch 5-Door (in C and S flavours) and the BMW 118.
Related: Review: Volkswagen Tayron
What is the VW Golf 1.4 TSI like to drive?
The true test of a non-performance Golf is how well it performs in terms of its overall everyday driving comfort. In that respect, a fair bet would be that this is where the Life/Life Plus models, with their standard, non-sports suspension configurations, will perform better than the sports suspension-equipped R-Line and R-Line Plus derivatives.
While the latter two models’ “Progressive” steering setup is exceptionally well balanced and allows for pleasingly immediate directional changes, their sportily-tuned MacPherson strut front/multilink rear suspension arrangement is a touch too firm on roads that’s not billiard table-smooth. But that’s the only gripe we had with the R-Line Plus press unit. Other than that, the Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Plus is a pleasure to drive. The driving position is spot-on and there’s plenty of headroom up front.
The 1.4 TSI engine is refined, adding to the impressive levels of NVH suppression, and a willing performer. The four-pot’s full complement of twisting force is available in a broad 1 500 to 4 000 r/min swathe of the rev band. Thanks to the latter and smooth-shifting 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, overtaking on the motorway was fuss-free affair.
The 1.4 TSI unit is frugal, too. On our drive in Cape Town, the test car returned an average of 6.7 L/100 km; just 0.4 L/100 km more than VW’s claim.
Verdict
The 8.5-generation Golf 1.4 TSI is a commendable package. It retains the “Golf-ness” (of being a sophisticated family hatchback) its predecessors have become so renowned for. It does what it says on the box … and in exemplary fashion.
We’ll stop just short of spending our money on the R-Line and R-Line Plus derivatives, however. Though their “Progressive” steering setups provide welcome dynamism to the “entry-level” Golf package and their sporty exterior appointments are eye-catching, their sports suspension feels a touch too firm. As such, we’d argue the Life/Life Plus models, with the fitment of a few choice options, are where money is better spent.
Yet, whichever model you do choose, the 8.5-generation 1.4 TSI is likely all the Golf you’ll ever really need.
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