Do you really need that SUV with this sublime hatchback on the market?

FOLLOWING a hiatus of more than five years, the “normal” Volkswagen Golf is finally available in Mzansi once again.

- JASON WOOSEY

Initially, the eighth-generation hatchback was released in GTI and R formats, but with the facelifted performance models being delayed due to fuel quality concerns, VWSA decided to reintroduce the oncepopular 1.4 TSI version.

The C-segment hatchback market has all but dried up in recent years as buyers flock to SUVs, but the new Golf 8.5 TSI has sold in semi-healthy numbers since its introduction.

In the past three months, Volkswagen has sold an average of 130 Golfs a month, albeit still somewhat behind the Tiguan SUV’s figure of 247 units.

Of course, the Golf is less practical than its SUV sibling, with relatively tight rear legroom by comparison and asmaller boot, at 381 litres versus 652, but at a push, the iconic hatchback can still pass muster as a small family vehicle if need be.