City Test: VW golf sportsvan – more spacious than the golf, more dynamic than the plus

Golf plus it wasn't a big market hit in our country either, but somehow they were breathing down his neck in addition to the rest of the competition golf and touran, each of which has been at the very top in its segment for many years, one could even call it the "throne". This is also why they are at Volkswagen with a new generation of this intermediate family-oriented models were forced to make movement in the message of this model and dedicate to it more dynamism, but at the same time maintain the spaciousness and adaptability of its predecessor.

There is more to it than golf in every way

Golf sports van is actually derivative of golf, which he does not hide both in his external image and in the fact that you are with him share the platform and also quite a few components. It's from golf longer 8.3 centimeters, and the meter shows 11 centimeters more also at the center distance, while Mr in height surpasses by just as concrete 12 centimeters. It is so much more sporty in all directions, but when driving and when you look at it, it does not look imposing and it also hides those extra centimeters well.

READ MORE: Slovenian presentation of the VW sportsvan model

However, the aforementioned centimeters are still noticeable in the passenger cabin, where passengers notice them first simpler (read: higher) entering and due to the equally high seating position as well better transparency over the vehicle and driving feeling. Passengers in the second row will also find it much easier to enter both due to the aforementioned height and the fact that the doors here are now significantly longer.

The interior is thus much brighter and airier, and as far as the appearance of the dashboard is concerned, the most parallels can also be drawn with the Golf. All well and good, but there is still as much emotionality as if it were as expensive or rare as truffles, while the top of the dashboard seems too lean and somehow too one-dimensional. Many others too edges are very sharp and straight lines, but that drags behind it that so numbered timelessness, which customers appreciate and which keeps the value of the vehicle at a high level throughout.Inserts from polished aluminum otherwise they work great and they raise the image vehicles, but it is true that interior designers are not familiar with an excessive color palette. They are ergonomics and quality of materials on extraordinary high and (hand on heart) also expected level.

Comfortline offers all the essentials, but not prestige

The extra centimeters are best known in the second row of seats, where, unlike the Golf, they will breathe easier and grow a little taller, and as far as flexibility is concerned, with 18 centimeter movable bench seat, divisible in the ratio of 40:60, it is completely comparable to the Touran and significantly surpasses the Golf, and it is also possible to adjust the angle of the backrests of the seats in the second row.

The sports car fares just as well in terms of roominess in the rear, which is again similar in shape to the Golf, except that everything is positioned a bit higher. Unfortunately, this also applies to the loading edge, but double bottom it conjures up a completely flat bottom without a step, but it basically accepts from 465 to 590 liters of luggage, which is a huge difference in comparison with the Golf's 380-liter. Knocking down benches brings a maximum of 1,520 liters of space, which is significantly less than the larger one Touran (1,989 liters), but still comparable to most of the medium one-room competition.

Comfortline package brings all the essentials (cruise control, dual-zone climate control, center armrest, small leather package, audio device with switches on the steering wheel and bluetooth) and some other treat, but you still need to buy certain accessories such as, for example 16-inch alloy wheels (they are basically an inch smaller), parking aids, system of adaptive driving dynamics and many more to look at the list of additional payments. In doing so, they offer reasonably compact and not excessively salty packages.

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Surprisingly dynamic and economical

Under the hood he was spinning with EURO6 reinforced with a stamp 1.4-liter TSI turbo gasoline engine that develops in a sports van 92 kW and 200 Nm of torque and has serial gearbox with six gear ratios and start&stop system. The engine turns out to be quite enough lively and powerful, only at full load is it known for its relatively small size, where the driver is then forced to reach for the gear lever. However, the engine shows itself in an extremely good light as far as economy is concerned, as we used almost diesel fuel in the test 6.8 liters gasoline, but we were far from the slowest in traffic.

The sports van performs equally well in terms of driving characteristics, as drives very much like golf, however, there is surprisingly little in the way of side-leaning corners, at least for single-seater genes. It is true, however, that the sports car also has the same faults as the Golf, which means that the nose of the vehicle takes off first in fast-driven corners, which is then quickly corrected by the powerful electronics.

Bottom line, the sportsvan is definitely worth it 1,274 euros, as much as it is more expensive than the Golf, as it drives similarly well and is similarly economical, but at the same time offers plenty more space and easily occupies the place of the first car in the family. In times when compromises are necessary, this also counts for something, and the sportsvan will certainly be more common on our roads than the Golf Plus now, 20,000 euros, considering the exemplary spaciousness and other contents and the economical TSI engine, seems appropriate, although it is not the cheapest.

Seen from the perspective as in the picture, most will not really know whether they are facing a golf course or a sports car. It is true, however, that sportiness increases as you climb up the equipment package ladder. The comfortline package is still fairly modest in this regard.

The trunk is another bright spot, as it measures 85 to 210 liters more than the Golf, and when folded down, the space increases to a completely C-single compartment 1,590 liters.

It is also significantly easier to "breathe" in the back, as there are significantly more centimeters in all directions, and with the help of the 18 cm movable and divisible bench seat, the owner also has the option of deciding between a larger trunk and additional space in the second row.

In addition to the higher seating, the interior is also much brighter and airier, and it also surpasses the Golf in terms of the number and volume of storage spaces and drawers.