Volkswagen Golf VI: From Germany with love

The star of our test drive is the Volkswagen Golf 6 – a modern, intelligent vehicle that exudes charm, attention to detail, and sophistication. It was named “Best Car of 2009” by an international jury of journalists and won the “Behind the Wheel” award in the “Best Compact Car” category in 2010.

The stylish and compact Golf is perfect for young people. Those who value a perfect combination of quality, practicality, and modern design will appreciate it greatly.

The 2009 Golf VI replaced its predecessor, the Golf V. All the shortcomings of the previous model were taken into account during its development. The changes are subtle, more of an evolution than a revolution. The design has improved, though the overall style remains recognizable. The new Golf appears more solid and substantial, yet its dimensions remain the same. New headlights, a revised radiator grille, and updated mirrors have also been added. The quality of the materials used has increased, making the car more expensive, but it still falls within the same price range.

Frontally, the car looks more aggressive thanks to redesigned air intakes, headlights, and vertical bumpers. The rear changes are minimal: just a new bumper and slightly longer tail lights.

As for the interior space and trunk capacity, there have been no changes. The trunk holds 350 liters, and when the rear seat is folded down, it expands to 1305 liters.

The interior has seen only minor updates. The most noticeable improvement is the higher quality of the materials used, which gives the new Golf a much more luxurious look. Many elements, such as polished chrome trim, add solidity and elegance to the interior – this design concept is called “Titan”. All the materials are soft and pleasant to the touch.

The simple five-generation steering wheel has been replaced by a modern model with comfortable buttons and a stylish design. The steering wheel feels heavier and more solid, but some may find it a bit cramped for their fingers. The dashboard has also been improved: the bright purple-blue lighting has been replaced by white lights with red pointers, giving it a more consistent look similar to that of Volkswagen’s higher-end models.

The seats are comfortable, neither too hard nor too soft – just right. There is plenty of space inside, even for tall people. Special attention was paid to safety: the headrests of the front seats are designed to minimize the risk of neck injuries in case of a collision.

Now let’s see how this car performs on the road. We didn’t find any shortcomings. Volkswagen has done an excellent job in reducing noise levels, making the Golf one of the quietest models in its range. The car drives smoothly and quietly; its suspension is very comfortable, absorbing almost all bumps. We were also impressed by its fuel efficiency: 8 liters per 100 kilometers in urban conditions, and only 6–7 liters in mixed driving.

The model we tested came equipped with a 1.2-liter TSI engine, producing 105 horsepower. It also included additional features such as five-door styling, power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum inserts, climate control, and an MP3 player. The price of this version in dealerships is 730,060 rubles.

Pros: Solid road performance, original design, high-quality interior, excellent noise insulation.

Cons: The steering wheel may feel a bit stiff when parking or driving at low speeds.

Valeria Romanova