Volkswagen Golf 2008 review: snapshot

Volkswagen has done a makeover on its Golf to create a car which is more of the same, and much the same, for 2009 and beyond in Australia.

The sixth-generation Golf looks much the same as the car it replaces, also drives much the same and should be priced much the same. That's no surprise as some significant components - from the roof to the suspension - have been carried over from Golf 5.

But there are big improvements to cabin quality, a new refinement, incredible quietness, and engines which promise more go for less fuel with both petrol and diesel power.

Explore the 2008 Volkswagen Golf range

• Volkswagen Golf 2008 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2008 review: snapshot
• Volkswagen Golf 2008 review: road test

And Volkswagen has killed the automatic gearbox in the Golf, only fitting five and six-speed manuals and either six or seven-speed DSG robotised manual transmissions in the 6.

The main visual change is a new family 'face', which will be carried through to other Volkswagen models starting with the baby Polo later in 2009, as the car has almost identical dimensions to the outgoing Golf 5. The lines are drawn a little tighter, but there is no sign of the raunchy work that has gone into the latest Ford Focus or the adventuring design in newcomers from Peugeot and Renault.

Detail work on Golf 6 includes a much classier cabin with Audi-style quality, new dial designs and upgraded infotainment, a seven-airbag package with knee protection, and the availability of everything from active suspension and automatic parking to radar cruise control.

Volkswagen predicts an easy five-star NCAP safety rating and improved pedestrian protection without the giant noses sprouting on some of its rivals.

But nothing is certain for Australia, even the choices from VW's four petrol and two diesel engines.

"It's too early to be announcing anything. We haven't even locked in the launch timing," says VW Group Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling.

Volkswagen began the roll-out of the new Golf with the five-door hatches in Iceland and promises to follow with the three-door price leaders and the sportier GTi. The hot hatch will be previewed at the Paris Motor Show as a concept car in a little over a week, with the likelihood of a 155 kiloWatt engine as well as the predictable bumper, spoiler and wheel upgrade for the GTi.

Driving two Golfs yesterday in Iceland, a 90 kiloWatt turbo petrol car and a 103 kiloWatt diesel, showed there is nothing special in Golf 6.

But that, in many ways, is what makes it special.

The engineering team has taken plenty of the existing good stuff from Golf 5 and brought it into the 6 package to create a car which is incredibly quiet, very refined and still drives nice and tight.

It's a more human and humane car, with more feedback at every level from cabin materials to the steering and performance from both engines.

And it is incredibly quiet. As well as greener, with improved economy and reduced emissions.

Still, Golf 6 is likely to be a slow burn and we will need to drive it in Australia - and make the crucial price and specification comparisons with its rivals - before giving it a tick.