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IOL News
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Sublime Volkswagen Golf TSI begs the question: Do you really need that SUV?
The Golf TSI is back, and better than ever! Image: Supplied Following a hiatus of more than five years, the 'normal' Volkswagen Golf is finally available in Mzansi once again. 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 once-popular 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 per month, which is 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 a smaller 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. The Golf is somewhat cheaper too, with the base Life version starting at R580,900, stretching to R604,500 for the Life Plus, R660,000 for the R-Line, and R688,100 for the R-Line Plus. The Tiguan, by comparison, costs R664,500 in base form and R781,600 in R-Line form, while the slightly smaller T-Roc has bookends of R648,900 and R760,100, for what it's worth. The R-Line Plus comes with a unique exterior package and 18-inch wheels. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Not only is the Golf TSI cheaper than these SUVs that have taken the world by storm, but it's also more rewarding to drive. As it's positioned lower to the ground, the Golf offers superior handling, and being lighter and more aerodynamic, it is faster and more fuel efficient. According to Volkswagen, the Golf TSI accelerates from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds and sips 6.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, versus the Tiguan's 9.2 seconds to 100 and 7.6 l/100km consumption. The Golf TSI's driving experience is sublime, to say the least. Though powered by the familiar 1.4–litre turbopetrol, which has been around for some time, acceleration is brisk and smooth, and certainly feels gutsier than its 100kW, 250Nm outputs suggest. Its eight-speed automatic gearbox changes on a dime and syncs perfectly with the turbocharged engine. Handling. Tick. Steering feel. Tick. Ride quality. Tick. The Golf TSI excels in all parameters and is also impressively quiet and refined on the road, even at much higher highway speeds. Looks-wise, the R-Line Plus model that we tested recently could almost pass for a GTI with its unique R-Line frontal treatment, Matrix LED headlights, and 18-inch 'Leeds' alloy wheels. Cabin ergonomics are impressive for the most part. Image: Supplied Inside, it comes with brushed stainless steel pedals and Vienna leather seats, which are heated and cooled upfront, with electric adjustment for the driver. Also part of the deal, and as per the regular R-Line version, is three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, Park Assist, heated steering wheel and a 30-colour ambient lighting system. Interior functionality has improved with the Golf '8.5' facelift, and those awful touch sliders on the steering wheel have thankfully been replaced with physical buttons. I also really appreciate the fact that the start button, gear selector, and electronic handbrake are all located in close proximity on the centre console. The only downside, ergonomically, is that the climate functions are still controlled via the touchscreen, but this has become the norm nowadays and there is at least a shortcut button for this function. VERDICT If you don't really need an SUV (honestly, you probably don't) and you can live without the GTI's performance, the Golf 1.4 TSI marks a welcome return to the well-balanced C-segment hatchback that the Golf always was. It's not cheap necessarily, but certainly better than ever, and with a Polo 1.0 TSI R-Line now costing half a million, the Golf could well be worth the extra outlay. IOL Motoring The Golf TSI is back, and better than ever! Image: Supplied Cabin ergonomics are impressive for the most part. Image: Supplied
The South African
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
The prodigal son returns: 2025 VW Golf TSI R-Line Plus review
After a period in the wilderness, the 2025 VW Golf TSI is back. It's known unofficially as Golf 8.5 . This refers to the mid-life facelift of version 8, which we only got in South Africa in GTI form back in 2021. Nevertheless, for many diehard fans of 'peoples' cars', the 2025 VW Golf TSI is an as-yet-unseen specimen. And, well, this handsome family hatchback doesn't half cause outright pandemonium wherever it goes. Vee-dub fans follow it around like it's some exotic supercar … As practical as ever and good-looking enough to be hounded by the iPhone paparazzi. And this is just a regular Golf. Image: Ray Leathern Forget the pictures you've seen of the 2025 VW Golf TSI, once you clock it in the metal wearing additional R-Line Plus trim, it's absolutely stunning. Just look at the smooth, taut bodywork contrasting with deep, shapely bumpers fore and aft. This test unit wears the optional IQ Light package, which features VW's full-length light bar and LED Matrix headlamps. At the back, things are more conventional, bar the LED taillights with animated indicators. Optional two-tone 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels fill the arches and enhance the stance nicely. Genuinely, the 2025 VW Golf TSI in R-Line guise is 80% of the way to being a GTI. And 80% of the time there's a well-meaning fan giving it a once-over with an iPhone in the carpark. And it's still 'just a Golf.' This cabin may be highly technical but it's still all about VW's infamous 'intuitive usability.' Image: Ray Leathern Climbing aboard the 2025 VW Golf TSI is akin to being reacquainted with an old friend. As you slide behind the steering wheel, everything is thoroughly digital but still familiar and intuitive. The seats are inch perfect, supportive and comfortable but not over the top. Needing minimal adjustment to find an optimal driving position has always been a Golf strength. Wolfsburg calls it 'intuitive usability' and it takes thousands of man-hours to get right. A large new central screen has some of the best definition we've seen in a family hatchback to date. And hard controls marked Light, Mode, Climate, Parking and Assistance are clustered together lower down on the facia for ease of use. Many of the unloved haptic-feedback buttons of the 8 GTI are gone, replaced instead by conventional buttons on the steering wheel. South Africa had to do without a regular, non-GTI Golf for about four years. We'll never take it for granted again … Image: Ray Leathern Thankfully, moving quickly and effortlessly comes easy in the 2025 VW Golf TSI. Its genius is there's no need to alter or finesse your driving technique. A small, stubby gear shifter is right from the 911 parts bin. 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque from the 1.4-litre turbo petrol drives the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Zero to 100 km/h comes and goes in a laudable 8.5 seconds and the top speed is 215 km/h. True to type, the 2025 VW Golf TSI is not about standing starts and spinning front tyres. Sure, there can be a flurry of whinnying rubber when the torque-rich turbo motor kicks in, but for the most part progress is silent and effortless. Likewise, a firmer ride is instantly recognisable on the optional 18-inch rims. At first, the firmness is a little at odds with the package. However, spend enough time behind the wheel and you soon get used to it. R-Line Plus package adds just the right amount of GTI-ness to the regular Golf 8.5. Image: Ray Leathern Volkswagen's stab at a fully digitised family hatchback nails the brief. However, all the electronic trickery doesn't intrude on the overall experience. The firm calls the Golf 8.5 fully digital, insofar as it has auto headlights, wipers, adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist (even if the abrupt bong when it engages is a little annoying). You don't really need to do a whole lot from behind the wheel if you don't want to. A price bump to R688 100 as standard – closer to R788 000 when fully optioned like our test unit – may move it out of peoples'-car territory. However, we'd argue the 2025 VW Golf TSI has again been elevated into another realm entirely. It's great-looking, incredibly stylishly, fiendishly high-tech and someone every bit as usable and friendly as it ever was. In our opinion, it's the ultimate all-round family hatchback. And not just because it's one of the few left. We'd reach into our own pockets and buy it every single time … 2025 VW Golf TSI 1.4 R-Line Plus Engine: 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol Transmission: 8-speed DSG automatic 8-speed DSG automatic Power: 110 kW @ 6 500 r/min 110 kW @ 6 500 r/min Torque: 250 Nm @ 1 600-4 300 r/min 250 Nm @ 1 600-4 300 r/min 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds (claimed) 8.5 seconds (claimed) Fuel consumption: 7.0 l/100 km (tested) 7.0 l/100 km (tested) Price: R688 100 (standard) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
