2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T Review and Quick Spin

vw golf

At first glance, you might dismiss the redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Golf as a mere update of last year’s model, but this car is based on a brand new vehicle architecture that is shared with Audi. In fact, under the skin, this Golf and the Audi A3 have a lot in common.

Appropriately, though, the Volkswagen isn’t quite as stylish, or as luxurious, or as thrilling, or as technologically sophisticated as its Audi cousin. Still, don’t take that to mean that this latest Golf isn’t one terrific small car. Let’s take a closer look at the 2015 Volkswagen Golf to find out why.

About Our Test Car

I know, I know, this new 2015 Golf looks just like last year’s Golf, and the version before that one, and so on, and so on. Sharpen your focus, though, and you’ll see a more tailored appearance for a tauter look, combined with small details that make a big difference.

My test car is the top-of-the-line Golf 1.8T SEL, painted Blue Silk Metallic and equipped with the optional Lighting Package. That means it has LED running lights up front and adaptive bi-Xenon headlights that swivel with the steering to help the driver to see around a corner. What my car did not have is the Driver Assistance Package, which adds front and rear parking assist sensors plus a forward collision warning system.

Check out those terrific-looking 18-inch wheels, which are standard on the SEL and come wrapped in amazing P225/40 Pirelli P Zero Nero all-season tires. On the car’s liftgate, the release is integrated with the VW logo, as is the reversing camera.

Now, it is true that this test car’s sticker price approaches $29,000 with the destination charge, and that is on the expensive side of the compact car spectrum, but having now spent a week driving it, I think I’d be willing to pay the premium Volkswagen commands for this car.

Comfort and Cargo

If you can, get into one of the Golf’s front seats. The SEL model has what VW calls sport comfort front seats, and they are exceptionally comfortable, especially the 12-way power driver’s seat. Leatherette upholstery is standard for all Golf models. It is soft, perforated, and in my experience it breathes well in hot weather.

Comfort levels go beyond the front seats, though. The tilt/telescopic, flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel is a model of perfection, and a height adjustable center armrest adds to comfort levels. Volkswagen also installs soft material at the top of the door panels, right where I tend to rest my left elbow while driving.

The Golf’s rear seat cushion is mounted a little lower than I prefer, but is angled to provide good thigh support. The front seatbacks are softly padded and friendly to both knees and shins, and there’s plenty of foot room under the front seats. Air vents help to circulate the air.

Rated to carry 16.5 cu.-ft. of luggage beneath the cargo cover, the Golf carries more of your stuff than the majority of midsize sedans. Still, I’m not convinced that the space is configured in as practical a fashion as a midsize sedan’s. I couldn’t fit two full-size suitcases and my kid’s compact folding stroller inside at the same time, and I definitely couldn’t fit the suitcases or the stroller wheels-first.

Where the Golf proves far handier than any sedan is when you fold the rear seats to reveal 52.7 cu.-ft. of room behind the rear seats. There’s also a big cargo pass-through, providing plenty of room for four people and four sets of skis.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

Features and Controls

For 2015, all Golfs have a color touchscreen infotainment system with a 5.8-inch display. It features proximity sensing, so that when you bring your fingertip close to the screen, the menu expands along the bottom of the display to make it easier to make a selection. You can also swipe, scroll, and even pinch or expand information with your fingertips.

My test car also has a Fender premium audio system, with these beautifully integrated tweeters in the windshield pillars. The audio system sounds great, and is just the thing for drowning out this test car’s persistent buzzes and rattles. Volkswagen includes a Media Device Interface cable as standard equipment, allowing the owner to play music or Pandora.

The Golf SEL comes with a navigation system, and provides voice command technology that makes it easy to program a destination. It is not a natural voice recognition system, though.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

Safety Matters

Every new Golf is equipped with Car-Net connected services, and the subscription is free for a short time after purchase. After the grace period expires, you’ll need to pay extra for it.

You might be willing to foot that bill, because Car-Net includes important stuff like an SOS emergency button and Automatic Collision Notification. Oh, and if you forget where you parked, Last Parked Location tells you where your car is located via your smartphone. Car-Net also includes Family Guardian, perfect for parents of young drivers. Family Guardian lets you know when your Golf exceeds a certain speed or travels beyond a set boundary.

Beyond this feature, the Golf is available with a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a forward collision warning system. When that latter feature is installed, the Golf earns a “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

What's Under the Hood

For 2015, the Golf’s standard engine is a turbocharged, direct-injected, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. What’s important to know is that the torque kicks in at just 1,600 rpm and is available right up to where peak horsepower takes over and takes the car toward redline.

The result of this broad power curve is exceptional responsiveness from just about anywhere in the rev range. Yes, there is some turbo lag right as you step on the accelerator from a stop. Also, passing power at mid-range speeds isn’t terribly impressive. But overall, this is a smooth and satisfying engine.

It’s fuel-efficient, too. Though I averaged 26.2 mpg over more than 400 miles of driving, on a traffic-free drive up the California coast to Santa Barbara the Golf returned an indicated 35.6 mpg. Official EPA ratings are 25 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg in combined driving.

You should also know that Volkswagen covers all scheduled maintenance for the first year or 10,000 miles of ownership. They used to offer it for three years and 36,000 miles. So much for carefree maintenance, eh?

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

Driving Impressions

Let me cut to the chase as far as what it’s like to drive the new Golf 1.8T SEL. It’s fun. This car is beautifully tuned for any kind of driving; smooth, supple, and refined in the city and on the highway, and a real blast when you decide to take the long way home.

Could the engine deliver more thrilling acceleration? Yes. Could the suspension be tightened up to better control ride motions? Sure. But that’s what the Volkswagen GTI is for.

If you don’t want the quicker and stiffer GTI, this Golf 1.8T SEL, with these terrific looking 18-inch wheels and amazing Pirelli tires, is a compelling substitute. From the way the car steers to how stout the brakes are there’s little room for dynamic improvement.

The 6-speed automatic takes some acclimation, though. This is a traditional automatic, not an automated manual transmission like the Direct Shift Gearbox that Volkswagen installs in the GTI. It offers Drive, Sport, and Manual modes. In Drive mode, the transmission is calibrated to upshift rapidly to conserve fuel. In Sport mode, the transmission holds gears longer and downshifts faster in order to make the car more engaging to drive. In Manual mode, I used the paddle shifters, and the engine matches revs on downshifts.

The Golf also comes with what Volkswagen calls a Cross Differential System, or XDS system, which is designed to reduce understeer in corners. I don’t know if it was the fantastic steering, the awesome tires, or the XDS, but I’ll say this. The Golf 1.8T SEL absolutely sticks in corners.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

Final Thoughts

Having now spent a week hauling my family all over Southern California in this great looking 2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T SEL, I strongly recommend this car, and not just because it’s a ton of fun to drive.

Even people who don’t care one bit about going fast can appreciate the Golf 1.8T’s fuel economy, user-friendly technology, comfortable seats, practical cargo area, and Top Safety Pick crash-test rating. Yes, the price of a loaded Golf is high, but the less expensive SE trim level also includes everything that makes this car terrific.

Well, except for the 18-inch wheels and all-season performance tires. In my opinion, they make getting the SEL model worth the extra cost.

Volkswagen provided the 2015 Golf 1.8T SEL for this review

2015 Volkswagen Golf photos by Christian Wardlaw

Photo by Christian Wardlaw