Whether or not you’re a car guy/gal, and no matter what age bracket you sit within, surely we can all agree that the Volkswagen Golf is an iconic, familiar and trusted hatchback. And it deserves to be so, having built up this reputation since the model launched over 45 years ago. Into its eighth generation, the all-new Volkswagen Golf represents the classic Golf with innovative twists.
Cockpit
The all-new digital cockpit is perhaps one of the most outstanding examples of this modernisation. Sliding into the driver’s seat of the all-new Golf R-Line, I immediately noticed just how few buttons there are on the dashboard. If your visual aesthetic tends towards minimalist design, this is the car for you. Rather than separate knobs for the likes of climate, music, volume and so on, everything is operated from the 10-inch touch screen infotainment system, with clean graphics that mirror the display of Apple devices. A favourite feature for me was the Smart Climate System, which contains five easy to understand modes of operation “Clear View (demist the windows)”, “Warm Feet”, “Warm Hands,” “Cool Feet”, and “Fresh Air.” Instead of trying to manually create the perfect air temperature, I’m free to concentrate on driving. Also allowing me to do this is the head-up display which uses the windscreen as a projection surface, showing speed and navigation instructions at eye level in front of me so I don’t have to take my eyes off the road.
This modern, minimalist design extends to the gearbox too. There are two buttons, one for the parking break and one to put the vehicle in park, with an all-new shift-by-wire gear knob for the eight-speed automatic gearbox. An advantage of this is how much space it saves up in the centre console, not to mention the feeling of ease generated from the electronic connection between the gear leaver and the transmission.
Exterior
As for the exterior, the all-new Golf design looks even sleeker on the outside with a leaner front grille and imposing lower-profile bumper. LED Headlights with automatic dipping is now standard across the range, giving the Golf a striking presence on the road. Other exterior features include tinted glass on the rear and back windows and four (fake) chrome effect exhaust pipes. It’s a sporty looking car for those of us that don’t want a sports car.
Driving and Safety
In a typically out-of-nowhwere Auckland downpour the vehicle felt comfortable and safe to drive. The Travel Assist systems will alert you if you veer too far from the centre of your lane, and can also monitor the distance of the vehicle in front. An LED signal on the exterior mirrors will let you know if there is a vehicle in your blind spot. All of these are reassuring features, especially when you’re tired at the end of a long working day, sitting in Auckland traffic.
Other driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring can help reduce the severity of braking or avoid an accident. Thankfully, I didn’t have a need for this technology during my time in the car, but knowing it is there gives an extra feeling of security.
To sum up, the new Golf is an easy, practical modern hatchback that makes the daily commute an experience to look froward to. For someone like me, a working professional in my late 20s, this car positions itself in the gap between out-of-my league luxurious and economy car. The all-new Volkswagen Golf looks set to continue its legacy of being a vehicle for every generation.
Words—Ashlee Lala
