Volkswagen Golf 110 TDI 2013 review

It's the car world's equivalent to a returning messiah but the latest Golf still carries dents from recent wars. There's no doubt that Volkswagen is shaken, not stirred, as quality issues with its seven-speed DSG transmission and engine breakdowns rattle owners and quietly amuse rival carmakers.

It says the issues are behind it. It launches the seventh-generation Golf to an Australian small-car market that is very astute with buyers aware that there's 30 other name plates from which to choose.

The market has also twisted its focus from fuel-saving diesels - a Volkswagen hallmark - to recognising a new breed of petrol engines that are almost as economical, more convenient to refuel and cheaper to buy. The Golf is a new car for a new age.

VALUE

Explore the 2013 Volkswagen Golf range

• Volkswagen Golf GTI 2013 review: road test
• Volkswagen Golf 110 TDI Highline 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf 103 TSI 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf 110 TDI 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf GTI 2013 review
• Volkswagen Golf hatchback 2013 review

Volkswagen has aggressively priced its cars over the past five years to such an extent that in Australia it almost mirrors pricing of its discount sister, Skoda. Golf Gen-7 prices start at $21,490 but that model is a bit bare and you'd be happier with the features of the Highline automatic range at $31,990 for the 103TSI petrol and $34,490 for the 110TDI diesel tested here.

Choose diesel for long-distance range but for most of us, the 103TSI will save $2500 in purchase price and cost only $55 a year extra in fuel (based on averages). The diesel costs $876 to service for three years and the petrol is $931. Resale values are identical at a high 58 per cent.

DESIGN

Crisper, neater and oddly not too far departed from the previous Golf's style, the latest is both attractive and purposeful. No wasted line, no extraneous metal or plastic. Better, it won't tend to date. The cabin is even better.

Electric park brake, lots of personal storage - including a driver-side glovebox and underseat drawers - add to the liberal passenger room and reasonable 380-litre boot (Mazda3 is 340). Soft-touch dash, piano-black and metal trim, instrument and switch clarity, the touchscreen and high-resolution reverse camera plus superb build quality put it into Audi territory.

TECHNOLOGY

The platform is Volkswagen Group's MQB version designed to suit all its front-wheel drive cars. The chassis is lighter, stronger and cheaper to make. Engines are tweaked for more fuel economy and Volkswagen says the latest DSG transmissions won't have the same problems as previous versions. There's more focus on driver-focussed tools - sat-nav, smartphone integration and voice control - but nothing is complex or excessive. Golf models also get an Eco Tip function to help drivers save on fuel.

SAFETY

The five-star car has seven airbags and a host of electronic aids. Aside from stability and traction control, all new Golfs get the GTI models' upmarket electronic limited-slip differential. The Highline adds daytime running lights, corner lights, auto headlights and wipers, emergency brake flashing, driver fatigue detection, hill holder, tyre pressure monitor, heated mirrors that dip when reversing, front and rear park sensors, reverse camera and a space-saver spare wheel.

DRIVING

This is so quiet. The engine is suitably muted but the cocoon-like cabin dismisses road noise like a luxury saloon. Everything feels tight and gauges are clean and simple while controls move positively and crisply into action. It reeks of attention to detail.

The drivetrain is familiar and noted by the hesitancy of the diesel engine to arouse the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, the confident pull of the strong mid-range torque and the abrupt upshifting as that same torque seeks to save fuel flow to the engine.

Handling is spot on and a credit to how good an electric-assist steering system can get. The ride isn't as firm as previous Golfs yet its suppleness doesn't upset the handling's fun factor. But I'm still not a fan of those awkward moments when the engine is called on for power and it's found sleeping with the transmission - a period of lag that gets very annoying.

VERDICT

Hard to compare this to price-like rivals when the Golf is such a great drive. The diesel's love-hate relationship with the DSG means drivers must learn to be patient. Overall, the 103TSI petrol version may be better value.