Volkswagen Golf GTD review (13/03/2014)

MY GOOD lady wife has been considering a change of car for some time now. Her noble Audi A4 has served its time and I must say I considered it a done deal that she would automatically choose the same again this time around. As is the way with these things, I was sadly misguided.

Well, I was actually right in the end, but the process of getting to that finality took a lot longer than I could possibly have envisioned.

In the process, a number of cars were actively considered. Among them were the Skoda VRs Combi, and two versions of the VW Golf — the five-door versions of the GTi and the GTD, the latter of which we test this week.

The Skoda was, perhaps, a bit of a blind alley. There were murmurings about how much space and practicality it offered and the sheer amount of kit that is on offer at the price. But, without being judgemental, because the Skoda is a fine car, at the back of my mind, I wondered if an element of badge snobbery might come into play.

I cannot honestly say if it did because I was not ultimately given any real explanation, but it was eventually dismissed as a runner without a backward glance.

The two Golfs on the other hand, received studious attention, especially the GTD. I think that the GTi was briefly entertained because with the five-door option now available, it was regarded as being eminently practical and yet stylish enough. That said, you got the impression that perhaps the GTi was just that touch too far for a mature, sensible lady.

Not that the performance of the car would faze said lady — not a bit of it. It was simply that the image was not quite right. The GTD, therefore suddenly hove into view as a serious contender.

The car is a very popular seller for VW and rightly so as it offers the owner exceptional performance. The latest version has had power upped to 184bhp (from 168), torque has been increased as well to an impressive 380Nm, while it will also return 4.2l/100km (that’s over 66mpg) over the combined cycle and also proves tax friendly with an emission level 109g/km.

Top speed is now 234kph and the 0-100kph time is achieved in marginally over seven seconds.

Volkswagen has also gone to great lengths to beef up the look of the car and while that look is now very much more GTi than utilitarian diesel, it is also very stylish and mature, without being laddish or crass. The suspension has been lowered and stiffened to improve handling and grip and the car also comes with a version of the trick XDS electronic traction control system which provides a remarkable imitation of a limited slip differential — ie no interminable understeer.

Thus, for those of a daring mien, the prospect of the car running out of confidence before they do is remote.

Throw in an interior which is as classy as it is practical and you have a machine which is not only desirable but really good to drive.

Thus the GTD met with home office approval on many fronts. To those characteristics already mentioned, you can also add, ease of access, comfort, practicality, a low loading boot and a general familiarity with the operational end of things — both in terms of layout and ease of use of the switchgear. So familiar, in fact, that it could only be a Volkswagen product.

And, given that many of her earlier cars were Golfs, that familiarity meant she was immediately at home in the cockpit.

As far as the testing went, I personally really liked the GTD on many levels — performance, pace, handling and practicality. But, I have to say if I was given the choice between it and the GTi, then I’d go with the latter. Sure the GTD is practicality personified and performance has been bulked up to impressive levels, but VW are charging a premium in the region of two grand for the diesel over the petrol and for that you’re getting a lesser powered car and a less capable one too.

On top of that, unless you are doing truly significant amounts of mileage, the diesel simply will not repay you over the course of its lifetime.

But there are those of you out there who have to endure herculean amounts of driving and as that is the case then there will still be a big case to be made about the benefits of the GTD. That it is a Golf and that it is a diesel will be enough to make most people’s minds up and not a lot more needs to be said.

So where did all this leave us domestically? Well, after many hours chewing the fat and discussing options, she went and bought another A4. I was right, but can I feel smug? No chance. Speculatively, there’s the real possibility I will be derided in the not too distant future for not having insisted on the GTD.

What can you do?

The Cost: €37,470 — €40,661 as tested.

The Engine: VW has beefed up the familiar two litre TDI engine in terms of power, performance, economy and reduced emissions.

The Specification: Surprisingly well-kitted out given VW’s historical frugality in such matters and if you do add a few bits and bobs, you’re not going to have to take on a second mortgage.

The Overall Verdict: A truly good car, but there is a premium for the diesel and unless you’re covering a serious amount of territory annually, then the petrol (GTi) option might be more suitable.