Non-GTI, Non-TDI Vanilla Golf

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures) 12/23/2014 at 12:25 • Filed to: Golf, vw, hatch

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Shopping for cars for my wife. She likes hatchbacks and her only must-have requirements are auto-trans and heated seats. I have to drive her car sometimes and would like something a little fun, but not at the cost of her commute. What's Oppo's take on the plain vanilla Golf? It seems like the luke-warm hatch market consists of the Golf, Focus, Mazda3, Impreza, Hyundai or Kia something or other, and... anything else?

To me, it comes down to the Focus, Mazda3 or the Golf. I've driven a GTI and loved it, but is the regular Golf just as fun in the handling department? I know it won't have the same limits, but is it communicative and direct like the GTI? I haven't driven any of the current gen Focii yet. I loved the way previous gen Mazda3 drives.

Funktheduck > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:28

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I have a current gen mazda 3 (2015). I've put just over 10k miles on it so far. AMA

I love it and suggest it over any other in its category.

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:29

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Not a bad rig. I sat in one at the dealer last week when I had my wife's '13 Jetta in for service. I haven't driven one yet, but I've heard the '15 Golf drives like a completely different car than its predecessors. There's apparently a launch package version that comes with the turbo motor - definitely worth checking out.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:29

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people bitch about the 2.5, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. The new 1.8T is supposed to be good. Its a VW though, so expect it to be less reliable than the Subaru or Ford. The 3 is supposedly having some reliability issues and the Hyundai or Kia are unknown quantities for reliability.

Funktheduck > HammerheadFistpunch 12/23/2014 at 12:32

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What reliability issues with the 3? I've been good so far but maybe stuff I should look out for?

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Funktheduck 12/23/2014 at 12:33

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How is it on the highway? We have crappy roads here, so road noise and instability is an issue.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:35

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I'm more impressed with the Mazda3 and FiST/FoST these days. Hyundai's always good if she plans on holding onto it forever, but the resale goes to shit pretty quick, so not so good if she plans on trading it in in a few years.

coqui70 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:36

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Forget the auto on the Focus, it sucks. The new Golf 1.8T is indeed a sweet ride, as is the new Mazda 3 hatch. Subaru Crosstrek is also on my radar, as are the Kia/Hyundai twins.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:37

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Avoid the Automatic Focus that powershift transmission is nothing but trouble. The Focus itself is a fantastic car but the auto trans is junk.

A hyundai Veloster is pretty good value for what you get and it looks pretty neat as well.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > HammerheadFistpunch 12/23/2014 at 12:39

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The reliability thing does concern me, and it's probably high on my wife's priority list too. However, the other car she's interested in is the Jeep Renegade, so reliability is clearly not the only thing she's worried about. Fiat and Chrysler designing a car together does not give me warm fuzzies. Hooray for warranties!

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > coqui70 12/23/2014 at 12:42

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Good to know. I think she liked the Crosstrek, but I've heard it's completely numb to drive compared to the regular Impreza. I would definitely give it a chance, though, since the increased ride height can come in handy sometimes.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:44

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We have a sportwagen TDI thats the same basic car as the base golf and at 40k miles, aside from the engine having major issues, its been fairly reliable. The renegade is likely to be a problem prone vehicle based on the fact that its a 500l base and those have been problem prone.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/23/2014 at 12:44

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I love the looks of the Veloster and the Juke (maybe I should get my eyes checked?) but she vetoed both of them for being too ugly.

Interesting to hear about the auto in the Focus, I hadn't heard that. Would it show up in a test drive or is it a reliability thing?

jariten1781 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:46

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Just went through this with a co-workers daughter. She ended up getting a Focus.

The Hyundais and Kias have a janky rear suspension setup so we tossed them out.

The Mazda 3 was the best driver, fo-sho, and what I would have gotten, but she didn't like the interior at all so it got tossed.

Impreza didn't even really feel like it fit the class...transmission was awful and the interior was low rent. Also did the XV-crosstech or whatever that thing was called and it was pretty much the same.

Golf was fine and even though it shares the same body/platform as the GTI they don't really drive the same at all. The Golf is much more sedate. Her dad drives a TDI Golf so he was pulling that direction which, of course, meant she would never pick it.

The Focus felt pretty good all around. She loved the goofy custom interior footwell lighting. Seriously, I think that was the main selling point to her. It was also bigger than the Golf in every dimension (longer, wider, taller, wheelbase) but only ~20 lbs heavier. Even though it was only a few inches here and there, it was definitely noticeable.

Seems like your list is pretty much spot on what we went through and I don't think there's really a right answer. I wouldn't have been disappointed in any of the Mazda 3, Focus, or Golfs we tried.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:47

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Tom did this write up . It's worth a look. We've done a few of these in the shop (cutting holes in the roof and/or putting aftermarket leather inside) and they're much better than the Elantra sedan.

Vicente Esteve > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:53

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I have a MK7 Golf and can say its an amazing package. Its quiet, practical, very decent handling car that oozes quality. In Mexico, the 1.8 isn't available, I have the 1.4 TSI so I can't attest to that engine. The rest of the car though is brilliant, 10/10 would recommend. If reliability is an issue, its understandable.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > jariten1781 12/23/2014 at 12:55

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Thanks for all the info. I suspected as much about the Impreza, but they won't let me live in Washington if I don't at least cross-shop a Subaru.

The only thing I don't like about current Fords is the insane number of buttons on the steering wheel and console.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Vicente Esteve 12/23/2014 at 12:57

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It's the quality feel that I really like about the Golf. The Ford is close and the Mazda is right behind that, but the Golf feels like it's in a league of it's own for feeling well made.

nermal > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 12:58

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The base Golf isn't bad, but after driving one back-to-back with a GTI you can definitely tell the difference. The worst part about them is the tires.

It's worth an upgrade to at least 17" wheels and good summer tires, or even a set of GTI take-offs if you can find them. Factor in winter tires on the stock wheels and you'll be good to go.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 13:07

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it's not necessarily a a reliability thing. The problem is that it's a dual clutch automatic that they never managed to tune correctly. it's jerky, it shutters, all around it's no good. just do a quick google search "Focus dual clutch problem" and prepared to be amazed on how many people are complaining about it. I have a 2013 Ford Fusion with a conventional 6spd auto and it's one of the best auto's I've ever experienced. The Focus on the other hand is the worst.

And I'm a ford guy so I wouldn't bad mouth them unless it was truly bad. The Focus with a manual tho is FANTASTIC! so the chassis is tuned right, the transmission is what makes it suck.

Funktheduck > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 13:08

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I was just about to hit post when I got kinja'd.

Great on the highway. Super stable. I often find myself going faster than I mean to. The ride is more on the firm side. It's much better when there's some extra weight.

Road noise on rough roads can be more pronounced but it's quieter than the previous gen and way quieter than my last car.

Over the life of the car I've averaged 35.5 mpg. The EPA estimates seem pretty accurate. I get around 40 on the highway and low to mid 30s around town.

Disc brakes all around standard unlike most other cars in its class. It stops very well.

I drive a manual but my gf's is an auto and it's quite good. Haven't had any issues like some focus owners do with the auto.

Cons:

I'm gonna get better tires when it's due. They feel like a harder compound which can affect road noise and grip.

I like having more storage than the current gen has. I think the glovebox and center console are too small and I don't have anywhere for loose change.

If you go current gen get the '15 or newer. A lot of the tech stuff on the '15 is standard that's either unavailable or options for the '14.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/23/2014 at 13:21

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I actually think the Fusion is a better car for her, but she doesn't like the way it looks and wants a hatchback or *shudder* a crossover.

I've been driving a manual now for about 8 months and I'm already to the point where I get super annoyed at automatics. I'd imagine a poorly tuned double clutch would be rough. That's an odd choice for a non-enthusiast bread and butter type car.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 13:36

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Remember the part I said I was a Ford guy? (I used to drive strictly Mopars but 5 mins behind the wheel of these and I was sold)

We were looking to trade in my challenger SRT8 for 2 more reasonable vehicles(midsize sedan for me and small SUV for her) we test drove most of them. (Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, Honda)

We bought these 2 vehicles on the spot. The escape is the best out of all new cross overs(except maybe the CX5 since I've never driven it) I actually like the Escape better than the Fusion. I little easier to drive and park. I never like crossovers before but sitting a bit higher and having a better view of the road is definitely nice. We both have the 1.6L Ecoboost but the Escape feels a bit peppier it must be geared a bit better. Disregard what anyone else say, these are not underpowered by any means.

The escape definitely feels like you are driving a European car. It handles GREAT(for a crossover) and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either one.

The new Global fords(Fiesta,Focus,Fusion,Escape) are better than just about anything else in the same price range. As long as you avoid the Auto in the Fiesta and Focus. Any of these I would call best in class and wouldn't own anything else.

If something were to happen to the Fusion I would probably replace it with another Escape but with the 2.0 ecoboost if I can help it. The escape is way more practical, It's as close to a wagon as we are gonna get.

DasWauto > nermal 12/23/2014 at 13:54

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Nailed it and exactly what I did (winters on the stock wheels) and plan to do (17"s or GTI wheels).

DasWauto > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 14:03

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I went through this choice a few months ago and ended up with the Golf. My previous DD was a 2004 Mazda3, which is/was a great car.

The main reason I chose the Golf over the competitors is the engine. It's a good bit more powerful that other cars in the class and the extra torque is very noticeable. It also felt like the most solid choice, quality wise. I guess we'll see about reliability but I expect it to be just fine. I'm not as stuck on the legacy of the Mk IV as many people in North America seem to be.

The biggest complaint I have is the stock wheel and tire combo. The stock 15"s really soften the ride and dull the handling characteristics. As suggested by someone else, spring for a trimline with bigger wheels if that handling is important to you or do as I'm doing and use the stockers for winter and upgrade for summer. If your wife prefers the comfort and quiet ride over handling, the original wheels will suit her well.

My car is a manual but I test drove an automatic and it makes arguably better use of the powerband and than the 5-speed does. I had to have a manual so I compromised a little there but if it's an auto you need, it'll be a good choice.

If you have anything else you want to know, feel free to ask.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > DasWauto 12/23/2014 at 14:32

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Good to know, thanks. We'd probably go for one of the higher trims anyway since that's usually the only way to get heated seats.

DasWauto > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 15:05

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In Canada the winter package (heated seats, mirrors and washer jets) is standard on even the most basic 5-door and it's a $250 option on any 3-door that doesn't already include it. Not so where you are?

If you don't have a need for leather seats or a sunroof the standard model may already have enough equipment for you. It did for me so I have the basic Trendline model with cruise control (the only option aside from transmission and colour). Don't let that stop you from going for a higher trim level if you want it though, niceities are pretty nice.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > DasWauto 12/23/2014 at 15:09

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I haven't dug into the trim levels that much. VW's US website doesn't have a proper "Build" option, so it loses my attention quickly.

DasWauto > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 15:30

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Oh yeah, they've got that silly matchmaking thing, there was a Jalopnik post on it a while back. A visit to the dealer should be able to fill in that info though. The dealer I went to was pleasant enough during each of the 3 visits I made during my search.

Vicente Esteve > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 12/23/2014 at 15:36

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I agree with that. Stepped into about every compact car and none can come close to the Golf. I didn't drive the Mazda though, so I don't know if the handling is worth enough to convince me over the VW.