- What we like about the Golf
- How reliable is the Volkswagen Golf 7?
- What we don’t like about the Golf
The Volkswagen Golf as we know it may be nearing the end of its life, especially in South Africa as the consumers move further towards SUVs and crossovers. Find out why the Volkswagen Golf has the reputation it does.
Very few cars have enjoyed as much success as the Volkswagen Golf. Vehicles like the Ford F150 and Mustang as well as the Toyota Corolla, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class have gone on to sell in large quantities. The Volkswagen Golf was designed to be the replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle, a compact, affordable transportation solution. They could never have imagined how the small hatchback would capture the hearts of the public.
Eight generations of the Volkswagen Golf exist and while South Africa no longer gets the non-GTI versions of the Golf 8, there are still more than enough to choose from on the used car market.
What we like about the Golf
The Volkswagen Golf has been a Jack-of-all-trades for many years. It manages to offer a great level of driver enjoyment through wonderful driving dynamics and engagement. At the same time, it’s not a difficult car to drive.
It’s also practical and has seating for 5 adults and a respectably-sized boot, allowing you to pack your bags for a holiday and do shopping until your heart’s content. It’s large enough to accommodate baby strollers and bags and will even take golf clubs.
The running costs of the Volkswagen Golf are fairly low too. Its popularity means that earlier models are still catered for in terms of spares and replacement parts. This popularity also means that there’s no shortage of mechanics that know the vehicle well. You also won’t struggle to find a fanbase of loyal Golf enthusiasts that will be able to make you feel like part of the family.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Golf 7?
It’s stylish. The Volkswagen Golf has always been a trendsetter and while not the most radical in its design, it has still managed to turn heads.
There’s an extensive dealer network that is always able to assist when it comes to a Golf!
What we don’t like about the Golf
Over time, the humble Golf has become more complex and intricate, this means that more modern examples do require the services of trained technicians with specialized tools and scanners. The parts are also a little more expensive for the newer models with more modern engines and gearboxes.
Where the original Golf was designed to be affordable, the latest versions have become expensive and out of reach for most. Used examples hold their value well and that means that a Golf that is only a few years old is still rather pricey.
The Golf has been a target of high-jackings and theft, once again, due to its popularity. The increasing price of parts and demand that comes from it being as prevalent as it is means that the car is often a target. This results in higher than average insurance premiums and the inherent risk associated with driving a Golf on South African roads.
Chad LückhoffWith over 18 years of motorsport commentary and a passion for 90s Japanese Sports Cars, Chad Lückhoff is happiest when surrounded by drift cars and smoking tyres. His experience as the Technical Editor of the country’s top tuning magazine means that it’s the nuts and bolts of motoring that tickles his fancy. As comfortable in front of the camera as he is behind it, he’ll take you behind the wheel with his video reviews, written recounts, and invoking photography. One of the first to join the AutoTrader fray, Chad has been living his passion at AutoTrader for over 7-years.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Is the Volkswagen Golf a good car?