2016 Volkswagen Golf Review
History and Overview
The Volkswagen Golf has been in production since 1974, achieving remarkable success over the decades. Numerous designs have been sold under various model names worldwide across seven generations, establishing the Golf as a significant player in automotive history, competing with peers like the Ford Focus and Mazda3.
Main Features
- Engine: 1.4 TSI BlueMotion
- Power: 140 hp – 250 Nm torque
- Transmission: 7-speed DSG
- Top Speed: 212 km/h
- Price: AED 98,380
Exterior Design
The Volkswagen Golf has kept pace with automotive evolution, incorporating changes in each model over the past four decades. However, the 2016 Golf still retains the essence of the iconic Golf Mk1.
The exterior of the Golf is enhanced with defined lines on the hood, a beautifully segmented body, and sporty air vents added to the lower front bumper, complemented by 18-inch wheels and more intense LED headlights.
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Interior Design
Inside the cabin, you'll notice soft leather with a combination of glossy black and silver accents that enhance the dashboard. With an impressive German design aesthetic, the interior is well-crafted, leaving no room for flaws.
Safety and Technology
Equipped with a leading multi-collision braking system, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf is a legend in its own right. The brakes are automatically applied upon collision, helping to dissipate kinetic energy and reduce the chance of a secondary collision.
On the technological front, the Golf is the first model in the German automotive industry to adopt a remote-sensing touchscreen. This innovation notably reduces the time a driver spends looking away from the road while using the infotainment system, enhancing road awareness.
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Driving Experience
Being larger, the Golf Mk7 is 109 kg lighter than its predecessors, achieving weight reductions of 6 kg, 40 kg, 26 kg, and 37 kg for the electronic system, engine, transmission, and chassis, respectively.
Powered by the 1.4 TSI BlueMotion engine, it delivers 140 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The 7-speed DSG transmission enables acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 212 km/h.
While the 1.4 TSI BlueMotion engine may not captivate customers in the Middle East, the enjoyment from the DSG transmission and the superbly equipped suspension is something competitors fail to offer.
Conclusion
The Golf is fully equipped and provides the enjoyment you seek. This is why it has become the second best-selling car in the world—it’s no coincidence.
The absolute transparency of the standard Golf is what makes it a perplexing vehicle. This is also why there aren’t large crowds of this hatchback on the roads of the UAE.
Pros:
- Exceptional entertainment system that is user-friendly.
- Impressive performance from its small 1.4-liter engine.
- Highly fuel-efficient.
Cons:
- High price point.
- Lacks blind spot detection and smart key system.
