Volkswagen Golf SV (2014 - 2020) 2.0 TDI GT 5d Owner Review

A brilliant car ! The fashion for SUVs is a little daft when you can have one of these second hand for less money. It's only 3 inches longer than the standard Golf but so much bigger inside, feels more like my Caddy or a Touran. The rear legroom is excellent, boot space is flexible. Overall its more like a Golf limo, in that the priority is for the passengers rather than sporty handling or trendy image.
The 150 TDI is laid back and torquey, but also a pretty rapid when the mood takes. Driven normally avoiding using the power it will return 60+ mpg at motorway speeds with my average of 58mpg over the last 7000 miles.
The GT version has lowered suspension, 17 inch rims and lower profile tyres, but then gets hit by the insurance for having the GT badge, despite not having the GTD power, its a DGT not GTD. Adaptive Cruise is thoroughly annoying if you are used to standard Cruise, it controls the speed and gap ahead so that cruising at one speed on anything but a half empty motorway is impossible. The safety side of the system, example automatic braking might be an advantage to many drivers, its personal preference. The speed limiter is excellent though and often used as a max cruise speed.
Mine is still under 65k miles and is utterly dependable with no faults, not bad on a 9 year old car.
The choice of fuel, power and spec level should be more a question of which one is available at your cost, all spec levels are decent. There are not many to chose from because fewer were sold new, and most people have never heard of them.
The concept of a larger 5 door hatch is understood in Europe, not the UK though. It's not a seven seater, its not an SUV, its not a Golf. Without being able to pigeon hole it in this country, it has an identity problem that hits second hand value to the point where Golfs, estates, and even Polos of similar spec are more expensive, madness !
The GT is a VW own goal because it has a slightly harder ride which is at odds with the whole nature of the car,,, that being comfy and practical.
The SV is a true VW, just a good car for people. Its happy with a boot load of garden waste and the result of a shopping trip to Wickes or IKEA strapped on the roof, all done in superb comfort.