We were very impressed with the Volkswagen Golf in the lightest weight class. Is the same true of the Golf Plus?
For the most part, yes. But the 1.9-litre engine – a weak spot in the Golf – is more of a flaw in the Golf Plus. With an extra 300kg of kerbweight and no more power to haul it with, the VW takes an interminable 21.4 seconds to accelerate from 30-60mph. And it’s not exactly quiet in the process. The 2.0 engine is stronger – but a good deal more expensive, too.
The Plus isn’t quite as stable as its little brother, having a slightly soggy feel through our lane-change test. It feels solid in a straight line though, and rides comfortably too.
There’s plenty of room for passengers, and a decent-sized boot. The rear seats split 60/40, and each section slides forward or backward to juggle passenger space and luggage room.
The VW badge attracts a steady queue of buyers on the second-hand market, so expect to get back around 51% of what you paid in three years’ time.