At first acquaintance, the roomier and refined Golf 5 is a class act, CAR’s correspondent found, but is the fifth generation subcompact from Wolfsburg as big an improvement over its predecessor as the successful Golf 4 was over Golf 3?
At first acquaintance, the roomier and refined Golf 5 is a class act, CAR’s correspondent found, but is the fifth generation subcompact from Wolfsburg as big an improvement over its predecessor as the successful Golf 4 was over Golf 3?
Launched in the Stellenbosch area over the past two days, the Golf 5 is significantly bigger than its predecessor, 24 mm wider, 41 mm higher and 55 mm longer. There is more interior space, with 52 mm added to the rear seat legroom and 24 mm to the rear head room (8 mm more in front) and the luggage compartment now holds 350 litres. A good start, then.
Volkswagen’s first Golf of the 21st century has also been given a youthful-but-still-very-sophisticated look that is a tribute to the shape and design of its predecessors. According to the manufacturer, the car’s bodyshell’s static rigidity value is 80 per cent higher than that of the Golf 4.
The Golf 5’s spring strut suspension layout was optimised for accurate directional guidance and stability and consists of McPherson struts in front and a new multi-link suspension at the rear. There is also a new Servotronic power steering system, which provides a degree of power assistance that matches road speed.
On the road, the Golf 5 models driven during the launch delivered a good balance of handling and ride quality, although it was found that road noise (generated mainly by tyre roar) was a little obtrusive.
Inside the cabin, the seats have been re-designed to provide maximum comfort and lumbar support and there are five head restraints (of active pattern for the front seats). Semi-automatic air conditioning is standard and a Climatronic system, which has separate controls for the driver and front passenger, is optional. Cruise control is fitted to all but the entry-level Golf 5.
In addition, the multi-function computer (its display is situated in the front instrument cluster) provides information about fuel consumption, average speed, exterior temperature, driving time etc. Reading lights for both front and rear occupants (just at the front in the 1,6 Trendline), interior light with time delay function, ultrasonic interior monitoring alarm and remote central locking with tow-away and tilt protection are standard.
The Golf 5’s safety systems include ASR and ABS with EBD, six (front, side and curtain) airbags, ISOFIX child seat preparation at the rear, side impact bars and a high-level brake light. There are also a new type of safety steering column and a pedal assembly that yields to minimise the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
:: To read about the specifications of the Golf 1,6 models and the 1,9 TDI Trendline, click here. ::
:: To read about the Golf 5 2,0 TDI- and 2,0 FSI Sportline models, specifications and prices, click here. ::
Prices:
1,6 Trendline R166 500
1,6 Comfortline R184 270
1,6 Comfortline Tiptronic R195 990
1,9 TDI Comfortline R198 180
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