The trail of Germans on Russian roads stretches far back. Even in the early post-war years, trophy Horch and Opel cars were brought home. In the stagnant times, a black Mercedes-Benz seemed like a symbol of well-being from that unattainable capitalist life. And already in the 90s, German cars were valued for something completely different: even used BMWs from Germany gave a feeling of comfort that was a novelty for us then, and all for reasonable money. But the era is changing: Germans are no longer associated with war, the "automatic" surprises no one, and foreign corporations are building huge factories here. Is Germany really no longer able to impress us? To check this, we took for a test a car that can be called the standard of a German burgher — Volkswagen Golf VI, also deciding to brush up on our German.
Learning vocabulary
From the outside, this hatchback cannot be confused with anything else. Medium size, flat hood, expressive headlights at the front and rear. You immediately understand why its ancestor, the very first Golf, set the trend and gave its name to an entire class. In essence, all other brands have in one way or another tried to copy the image of the legendary hatchback of the seventies, but only a few truly succeeded.
And yet, the exterior of the Golf VI does not evoke strong emotions. Maybe it's because nothing has fundamentally changed since the seventies. The same flat hood, the same large headlights, the same simple shape of the taillights. No zest that the eye could catch and for which one would want to praise the designers. My doubts were confirmed by a friend who is currently choosing a new car. "I will never buy a German for myself," he says. — "I need a car that pleases the eye every day, and with a Golf that won't happen." And perhaps I will agree with him. Yes, the VW Golf VI indeed cannot be confused with anything, but only because the brand is true to its traditions. Maybe even too true.
Volkswagen Golf VI. Photo: Timofey Isaev. Avto.Utro©
Inside — the same classic: strictness and order, which are not even diluted by silver inserts and elongated instrument pods with their stylish white-red backlighting. But as soon as you stop examining the interior and sit behind the wheel, your opinion changes dramatically.
The ergonomics of the driver's seat are beyond all praise. "What a comfortable seat!" — this is the thought that comes first when you sit in the Golf VI. The balance between lateral support, cushion length, and overall comfort is perfectly chosen. And the steering wheel seems to ask to be held and invites you to turn it. Yes, the car is clearly driver-oriented!
Volkswagen Golf VI. Photo: Timofey Isaev. Avto.Utro©
Moreover, the conveniences do not end with the seat and steering wheel: figuring out the audio system and climate control couldn't be easier, and little things like controlling the onboard computer or the mirror lever are always at hand. Add to this high-quality trim materials, excellent visibility, convenient lighting for the passenger, and a cooled glove box — and you feel very comfortable. Honestly, you don't want to get out from behind the wheel at all.
Passengers are not left out either: seating is comfortable in both rows, and the rear bench has a headrest and three-point seatbelt for everyone.
Practicality is added by a 350-liter trunk, and if you fold the rear seats in a 2/3 ratio, the volume grows to 1305 liters.
Volkswagen Golf VI. Photo: Timofey Isaev. Avto.Utro©
What German words can describe the first impression of the Golf VI? The well-known slogan of another German brand comes to mind: Quadratisch, praktisch, gut. A solid car? Absolutely. Practical? Definitely! It's just that the design turned out to be too "square" and conservative. Although, perhaps, the absence of external pretentiousness is even a plus.
And how does the car perform in motion? Let's check!
Grammar of motion
Grammar is the foundation of a language. And what serves as the foundation of any car? That's right, the engine and chassis. For our Golf VI, this foundation became the turbocharged 1.4 TSI engine. We turn the key, move off... whoa! A peppy engine! Even with its 90 kW / 122 hp, it shows quite decent results. And this is not surprising — the engine is fresh and, by the way, is now also installed on other models of the brand. Peak power comes at 5 thousand rpm, but you just want to press the gas pedal. Helping the engine is a seven-speed robotic DSG gearbox with two clutches, which shifts smoothly and imperceptibly. The combination turned out to be successful: the car is not only nimble but also economical — about 7–8 l/100 km in the city. Wunderbar!
Handling deserves special compliments. I admit, after just a few meters behind the wheel of the Golf VI, I wanted to test it. I started making circles and entering the same turn at different speeds. The task was simple — to stay in my lane, although at the entrance to the turn there was a 40 km/h speed limit sign. Let's go! 50 km/h... The car enters calmly, no reaction. Second attempt — 60 km/h — again precise passage. Third approach — 70 km/h... Slightly leaning, the Golf VI still stays in the lane and overcomes this mark too. "Oh, ja, ja!" — you want to exclaim at the exit. Such handling became possible thanks to the ESP stabilization system and adaptive DCC suspension.
Volkswagen Golf VI. Photo: Timofey Isaev. Avto.Utro©
The electromechanical power steering also pleases: in the parking lot the wheel is light, and at speed it fills with pleasant heaviness. Reactions are sharp, but without the excessive nervousness that often scares off in truly sporty cars. After all, with all its sporting ambitions, the Golf VI is a civilian car designed for a wide range of buyers.
Such a buyer will also be pleased with the suspension: it confidently swallows small and medium irregularities, but handles large potholes a bit worse. It drove over tram tracks perfectly — no vibration is felt in the cabin, the result is even better than some crossovers. Add to this good sound insulation, dual-zone climate control, tinting, a non-glare rearview mirror, and other pleasant little things — and a trip in the Volkswagen Golf VI turns into real pleasure. Did the Germans manage to make a car that is pleasant to drive and that can do a lot? Natuerlich!
Volkswagen Golf VI. Photo: Timofey Isaev. Avto.Utro©
Phraseology of price
Everyone knows the saying "what is good for a Russian is death for a German." And what about the opposite: what will be for a Russian what is good for a German? In Germany, the Volkswagen Golf VI is a car for young people: affordable, reliable, and at the same time fast. And what about here? The base Golf 1.6 in the Trendline version with a five-speed manual costs from 612,000 rubles. For an "automatic" with the same engine and trim, you will have to pay an extra 72,000 rubles.
If you want a more modern and economical 1.4 TSI engine, such a car will cost from 705,000 rubles in Trendline and from 775,000 rubles in Highline. The surcharge for the automatic transmission remains the same — 70–72 thousand rubles.
The hot GTI version starts from 1,105,000 rubles with a manual gearbox and from 1,165,000 rubles with an "automatic."
As for equipment, in the base Trendline the buyer gets ABS, front and side airbags, curtain airbags and a knee airbag, as well as a lockable glove box with cooling on cars with engines from 122 hp. The Highline version adds sports seats with lumbar support, fog lights, chrome inserts on the front panel, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Finally, owners of the GTI will get an electronic differential lock, a hill-start assist system (for versions with a manual), 17-inch alloy wheels, and an aerodynamic body kit.
What do you think when you see this price tag? Personally, it seems to me that Volkswagen made a slight mistake in who they were targeting. Young people are unlikely to want to shell out such money for a Golf VI, and those who are older would rather look at something more solid for the same money. At the same time, even in the crisis, Volkswagen sales are growing, but the Golf has nothing to do with it — it's not even in the top three among the company's models; Tiguan, Passat, and Touareg have settled there. It's a shame! If the sixth Golf were more affordable, it would surely have queues in showrooms and would have earned the title of a truly people's car.
The subtlety of translation
Articles, which are absent in the Russian language, help express definiteness or indefiniteness. Therefore, Volkswagen decided not to translate its slogan "das Auto". Contrary to what many think, this is not just "a car," but something like "a special, unique car." Did the Golf VI manage to live up to such a title? I think yes. Despite its restrained appearance, the car is very practical and gives a lot of pleasant sensations behind the wheel. True, this pleasure is not cheap, but in our parts, as you know, the miser pays twice.
Advantages: excellent road behavior and good dynamics, high level of comfort and seating convenience
Disadvantages: overly cautious design, inflated price tag
Author's personal ratings on a five-point scale: >
Engine: 5
Exterior: 4
Interior: 4
Capacity: 5
Handling: 5
Fuel consumption: 5
Suspension: 5
Automatic transmission operation: 5
Multimedia: 4
Price: 4
Average score: 4.6
We express our gratitude to Volkswagen AG and personally to Ksenia Vasilyeva for providing the car
You can purchase this and other models of the brand at official dealers!
Timofey Isaev