The joy of sliding behind the wheel of a legendary car

AFTER testing a string of SUVs, when the 8.5-generation Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI arrived, I could not have been happier to get behind the wheel of the car that is such an integral part of the company’s DNA and has been putting smiles on people's faces for the past 50 years.

- Willem van de Putte

Just like the VW Beetle had a place in every family story generations ago, so too does the Golf since its local introduction in 1978 with the Mk1 (first generation), then assembled at the Volkswagen production plant in Kariega.

Top of the pile

Our test unit was the Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Plus, which stands on top of the four-car lineup, the others being the entry-level Life, followed by the Life Plus and then the R-Line.

While hatchbacks continue to take a backseat to SUVs, Golf sales are ticking over in relatively healthy numbers, justifying VW’s decision to bring them to our shores.

I understand people’s preference for an SUV, but having spent a week with the Golf, I couldn’t help thinking that this is just so much more enjoyable as an overall experience, especially in the handling department.

Anyway, consumers have spoken, but it’s good to see that VW still sees the Golf very much as part of their offering.

Exterior

There’s no confusion about its design. Unlike many SUVs, if you had to remove the badging, it would be difficult to tell one from another.

At first glance, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s a GTI with its R-Line Plus front end fitted with IQ Matrix LED Headlights with a snazzy illuminated VW front logo and 18-inch “Leeds” alloy rims.