Control Freak cured by Golf

Park Assist was fitted to the VW Golf we recently tested and is now an option available on many VWs.  The system's sensors first determine whether the parking space you've cruised past is large enough and then, when you're ready, it steers you into the space.  The driver still has to operate the accelerator, brakes and gearshift but the car attends to the steering.  I failed first time up, and grabbed the wheel halfway through the manoeuvre, much to the amusement of my passenger, who unfortunately also happened to be my main 'control freak' accuser.  I did finally learn to trust the system by going solo in a quiet cul de sac and found it eerily foolproof.  Unlike me, it's ambidextrous and was particularly brilliant at parking on the right hand side of one way streets, something I've always found particularly difficult.
In addition to the 4 recently introduced Golf wagons, there are now no less than 7 Golf sedans to get your head around and that's not counting the 3/5 door variants at the top of the range.  There are two 5 door 1.4litre petrol models - the 90kW turbocharged 90TSI Trendline starting at $28,302 and the 118kW turbo and supercharged 118TSI Comfortline from $32,917.  There are also two 5 door diesels – the 1.6litre 77kW turbocharged 77TDI Trendline from $30,867 and the 2.0litre 103kW turbocharged 103TDI Comfortline starting from $35,477.  The range tops out with the GTD, the GTI and then the R – the latter two available with 3 or 5 doors.  Our test car was the 103TDI with the optional ($2,565) 6 speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission – for our money the only way to change gears – although unfortunately without steering wheel paddles in this car.
The 103TDI is a very comfortable car with dual zone climate control, rain sensing wipers, dusk sensing headlights and cruise control.  The height and reach adjustable steering wheel has a range of controls for managing audio and the multi function display.  It also has provision for Bluetooth but alas this is still only offered as an option.  Our car was fitted with a number of other options – an excellent Sat Nav system ($3,000) and the quirky 'Park Assist' hands-off parallel parking assistance program ($1,400).  In addition, we had metallic paint ($500) and Leather Upholstery ($3,300).
Primary safety features include ABS (with Brake Assist and EBD), Traction Control with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and an Electronic Differential Lock.  Secondary safety is well catered for, including a full complement of 7 airbags - driver and front passenger, driver’s knees, driver and front passenger side plus front and rear curtain airbags.  Golf has the maximum 5 star ANCAP Rating.
Torque is what diesels are all about when it comes to performance and the 103TDI generates a respectable 320Nm.  This, combined with the Sport setting on the DSG, makes for pretty brisk acceleration off the line.  We tested the Golf around town, on freeways, highways and then our favourite narrow, twisty, steep country road.  It excelled in all areas but by its very diesel nature, the gearbox gets a good workout in the process.  The DSG geared car averages 5.6litres of diesel per 100kms (combined cycle) and down to 4.7litres in extra urban driving – enough to stretch the 55litre tank to 1,000kms or more (the manual is only marginally more economical at 5.3 and 4.4 respectively).
There are only two items on our wish list which would elevate this Golf from the Very Good category to the Excellent: 1. Bluetooth – if manufacturers are serious about safety and VW certainly ticks this box in every other area, then a hands-free phone system must become standard equipment. 2. Paddles – the brilliant DSG gearbox needs paddles to make the dual clutch experience really enjoyable.
Volkswagen offers a 3 year/100,000km warranty including 24/7 roadside assistance for the term of the warranty.

Tested June 2010
Vehicle provided by Volkswagen Group Australia