Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (2009 - 2012) 1.4 TSI SE 5d (2010/10) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I think it is supposed to say that you value solidity and sensible value. I now think that it means you just followed the crowd.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They like it since it has enough space.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not this model but I would look at the latest Golf and if I thought I might be interested I would try to hire one for the day to see what longer journeys are like and what it is like in the dark and rain. It is, however, bigger than my current Gokf.

What are you likely to buy next?

It is very hard to say as models are changing quite a lot at the moment. I would like to look at the latest Ford Focus with the 1.0 litre engine which has a good reputation.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£18,000

When did you buy the car?

June 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

Deal was fairly good but while the car was on order the model changed to the Match which included some of the options we paid for as standard. We of course received the now superseded model and when we queried this we received a servicing package for 3 years.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It received such good reviews in the press.

What was the dealer like?

Fairly good but pressed us to take silly aftersales options.

What's it like to drive?

Suspension and ride are very good but drive is pretty wooden and uninvolving. Not any fun to drive. Surprisingly, comfort could be a lot better on long journeys. After an hour and a half I have aches in my back and right leg. Little under-thigh support. The heating and air-con is poor. It takes ages to warm up and the controls are impossible to see in daylight with the knobs very cheaply made. Why, when you put the control onto "screen" does it put the air-con on? On the few occasions I need the air dried in this fashion I will choose it myself otherwise it just seems a ploy to annoy and waste fuel.

What's it like to park?

Having paid for parking sensors (subsequently standard) parking is very easy. Width of car is a challenge in some car park spaces and great care needed getting in and out.

Have you had any problems with the car?

No

What's most practical about your car?

Space: the extra cost under-seat boxes are very useful. The boot is a good size and internal space pretty accommodating.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Some of the gadgets are infuriating. The auto-dimming mirror is useless at dusk and being followed by a SUV at this time of day is horrible as the mirror cannot be dipped. The auto-wipers are distracting with you never knowing when the next wipe will be. The wipers slow even further when stationary so waiting at traffic lights trying to watch for pedestrians etc is awful. Can't even buy proper intermittent wipers as an option. Auto-lights handy for the M25 tunnels.