Golf Plus Review

The Golf Plus delivers the perfect middle ground between a standard Golf and a compact MPV, offering improved practicality without sacrificing the familiar driving performance. The diverse engine range, from the efficient 1.9 TDI BlueMotion to the spirited 2.0 FSI, lets you choose your ideal balance of performance and economy. Inside, you're treated to impressive space with up to 1,500 liters of cargo capacity, 43 storage compartments, and a versatile 60/40 split rear bench. While fuel economy varies between 33-45 MPG depending on your engine choice, the Golf Plus's blend of comfort, safety features, and practicality makes it an excellent family companion. There's much more to uncover about this clever compact.

The Golf Plus offers various engine options across both petrol and diesel variants. If you're leaning toward petrol power, you'll find everything from the efficient 1.2 TSI to the more spirited 2.0 FSI, with the popular 1.4 and 1.6 MPI engines sitting comfortably in between. These petrol engines provide anywhere from a modest 75 PS to a more invigorating 170 PS, giving you plenty of choices to match your driving style. The car's maximum speed range spans from 161 km/h to 214 km/h, depending on the engine choice.

For those who prefer diesel, you're well-covered with the remarkably efficient lineup of TDI engines. The 1.9 L TDI BlueMotion is your fuel-sipping champion, consuming just 4.8 l/100 km, while the 2.0 L TDI offers a punchier 140 PS when you need more grunt. You'll find most engines matched with either a slick 5-speed manual, a more engaging 6-speed manual, or the clever 6-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. What's particularly impressive is that even the standard TDI engines, without the fancy BlueMotion technology, still deliver impressive economy figures around 5.4-5.7 l/100 km - not bad for a family-sized package, wouldn't you say? Real-world data from multiple vehicles shows an impressive 34.91 average MPG across various driving conditions.

Moving from engine specs to real-world performance, you'll find the Golf Plus delivers an engaging driving experience that stays true to its sporty heritage. You'll appreciate the crisp, responsive steering and surprising agility through bends, though you'll notice more body roll than in a standard Golf due to its taller stance.

Behind the wheel, you're treated to impressively smooth and quiet engines, with the 1.4 TSI and 1.6 TDI 105 offering the sweet spot for performance. While the boosted options pack a satisfying punch, you'll want to steer clear of the 84bhp 1.2-litre petrol, which feels underpowered and needs constant coaxing. The DSG gearbox delivers quick shifts when you need them, while the 6-speed manual keeps things lively and engaging. The upright seating position provides excellent comfort and support during spirited driving. The higher positioning offers better road visibility, though some blind spots exist around the vehicle.

Despite its higher profile, you'll find the Golf Plus feels remarkably stable and secure, though you might notice some wind noise from the door mirrors at motorway speeds. For those long trips, the cruise control comes in handy, and you'll appreciate the car's mid-range torque when you need that extra burst of acceleration for overtaking.

Inside the Golf Plus, you'll find an impressively versatile cabin that builds upon the standard Golf's dimensions. With its higher roofline and improved legroom, you're treated to noticeably more headroom and a commanding driving position that'll make those long trips much more comfortable. The upright dashboard layout, while not winning any design awards, puts everything right where you need it. The Golf Plus features a refined 2.0-litre TDI diesel powerplant that won't leave you wanting for performance. The interior's clear visual layout enhances readability of instruments and controls, following established design principles for optimal user experience.

You'll appreciate the practical touches throughout the cabin, including 43 different storage spots and a generously-sized air-conditioned glovebox for keeping drinks cool. The "Opera" fabric seats in the Comfortline trim provide good support, while the clever 60/40 split rear bench can slide, recline, or even change into a handy picnic table when you fold down the middle section. In the boot, you're getting 395 liters of space with a false floor that's perfect for hiding possessions, and there's even an elastic net to keep your shopping from playing pinball on the drive home. While some materials might feel a bit plasticky, and those chrome air vent rings can catch the sun in annoying ways, the complete package delivers exactly what you'd expect from a family-focused Golf: sensible, spacious utility.

Analyzing fuel economy figures reveals a mixed scenario for the Golf Plus, with real-world consumption typically running 12% higher than official ratings. You'll find considerable variation across different model years, with the 2009 version achieving an impressive 45.3 MPG, while the 2006 and 2010 models hover around 35 MPG. Based on 31 contributing vehicles, these figures represent comprehensive real-world data collection. With its 3047 lbs curb weight contributing to fuel usage, if you're looking at the 1.4 TSI variant, you can expect about 33 MPG combined, though you'll see better results on the open road where it reaches up to 40 MPG.

The emissions story isn't quite as rosy, with CO2 output sitting at 172 g/km for the 1.4 TSI model. You'll notice that real-world fuel consumption tends to deviate from official figures, with petrol models showing a 6-17% difference and diesel variants a 6-15% gap. With the 55-liter fuel tank, you can expect a decent range of about 474 miles, though your actual mileage will vary depending on your driving style. It's worth noting that city driving will drop your efficiency to around 25 MPG, so you'll want to factor that into your calculations if you're primarily a urban driver.

Regarding design, the Golf Plus strikes a distinctive balance between the regular Golf and a compact MPV. You'll notice the collaborative work of designers Hartmut Warkuß, Peter Schreyer, and Andreas Mindt, who've created a practical yet stylish 5-door hatchback built on Volkswagen's trusted A5 platform. The responsive virtual reality controls make it feel as natural as swinging a real golf club.

The dimensions tell an interesting story, especially if you're comparing pre and post-facelift models. While the length stayed relatively consistent at around 4,205mm, you'll find the post-facelift version's slightly increased height of 1,592mm gives you more headroom. What's particularly clever is the door design - when opened, they extend to about 3,640mm, making it a breeze to load passengers or cargo.

You'll love the sophisticated rear light setup, which is quite a conversation starter. The standard LED configuration features MultiLEDs that create four striking white circles on a red base when turned off. When you hit the brakes, 16 LEDs in the inner circles intensify to form what's fundamentally a warning triangle, while conventional bulbs handle the reversing and fog light duties. It's a perfect blend of style and safety that you can't miss. The tail and signal lights are strategically positioned at the outer edges of the vehicle for maximum visibility.

Absolutely, while the Golf Plus is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Realistic Gameplay Mechanics: Golf Plus provides an immersive experience with realistic swing mechanics, allowing players to adjust shot trajectories and distances naturally, closely mimicking real-life golf.
  
  
• Access to Real-World Courses: The game features highly detailed recreations of famous courses using advanced mapping technologies, offering players the chance to virtually play on iconic locations like Pinehurst or TPC Sawgrass.
  
  
• Social Connectivity: Golf Plus enables multiplayer experiences, allowing users to play with friends or family remotely, fostering social interactions in a virtual environment.

Cons: 

• Limited Physical Realism: The lack of weight and tactile feedback from virtual clubs can make the experience feel less authentic compared to real golf or high-end simulators.
  
  
• Graphics Quality Variability: While impressive for VR, the graphics may not meet expectations for players accustomed to high-definition gaming on consoles or simulators.
  
  
• Potential Impact on Real-Life Swing: Extended use of lightweight VR controllers may temporarily affect muscle memory and coordination when transitioning back to real golf clubs.

You'll find the Golf Plus delivers exactly what it promises - a slightly bigger Golf that's neither fish nor fowl. While it won't win any beauty contests with its awkward proportions, you're getting a practical family car that's comfortable, efficient, and reliable. Sure, you could've bought the regular Golf and saved some cash, but then you wouldn't get to explain to everyone why your Golf looks like it ate too many bratwursts.