Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Diesel Highline

[Autos_Editor]

The 2015 Golf TDI remains one of the few cars that doesn't sacrifice driving enjoyment for excellent fuel economy ' if you're prepared to pump diesel.
Read More...

[OliverD]

It lifts up easily and reveals a fully lined trunk with a floor panel that can be moved into a lower position if desired. To hide trunk valuables, there is a one-piece cargo cover that can be removed when bulky items are being transported. However, there is really nowhere to put it except on top of the luggage. I tried putting it under the variable height floor, but it doesn’t fit.

This is not true. It fits, and there's even a diagram showing how to put it in there:

We were surprised to see that blind spot warnings and lane change warnings are not offered on the Golf TDI.

Both are available in the '16 Golf R and VW has indicated this option is coming to other '16 Golfs as well.

[quadzilla]

This is not true. It fits, and there's even a diagram showing how to put it in there:

To be fair that looks like a picture on how to reload the Kleenex dispenser.    Btw, I also thought it was possible to do this and remember the VW guy making a big deal about it at the last demo I went to.

Really like the TDI but don't know if I would still buy it over the TSI today.

[conwelpic]

I've never read on reviews on diesels, how maintenance of a gas vs diesel compares from a cost point of view.  For example you have to add the DEF fluid to a tank in the back, how much does this cost to fill?  Is that something that is not required on diesels in Europe?

I realize that diesel offers generally 20-25% better economy, but with the extra cost of the engine and the possible extra maintenance over 100,000 km, is there really much difference between the same gas engine vs the diesel in the same vehicle?

[OliverD]

I've never read on reviews on diesels, how maintenance of a gas vs diesel compares from a cost point of view.  For example you have to add the DEF fluid to a tank in the back, how much does this cost to fill?  Is that something that is not required on diesels in Europe?

I realize that diesel offers generally 20-25% better economy, but with the extra cost of the engine and the possible extra maintenance over 100,000 km, is there really much difference between the same gas engine vs the diesel in the same vehicle?

I think that the diesel option made more sense from a strictly financial perspective when the base engine was the 2.5 I5 but with the new TSI motor the fuel economy advantage of the diesel is smaller than before. Things to keep in mind are that resale values of TDIs are very strong relative to gassers and some people just prefer diesel engines regardless of price.

My dad has had his '14 Golf TDI wagon for 8 months and it only has 7k on it. Obviously he's not saving any money at that rate but he just liked the diesel engine.

[redman]

I could harp on this :"While the previous generation Golf was assembled in Wolfsburg/Zwickau, Germany, the 2015 VW Golf is now assembled in Puebla, Mexico"
but feel that if I was a buyer I'd be more miffed about this : "We were surprised to see that blind spot warnings and lane change warnings are not offered on the Golf TDI." at this price point vs competitors offerings, I think it should be offered.

Fuel economy makes this car attractive for the hi mileage driver who can offset the cost of diesel ownership.

[Triple Bob]

Wow, ANOTHER VW TDI review.  Between VW TDI's, and 911's, what else is there to review?

 

[JRM]

For me, the 1.8 TSI makes more sense.  I average about 16,000 km per year on my car as we drive my wife's Vibe almost exclusively in winter, so it would take a long time to recover the additional costs of ownership.  Also, I prefer the TSI, which is smoother, quieter, has no detectable lag, slightly better accelleration and excellent fuel consumption for a gasser.   I cannot tell that the engine is running at idle, it is so quiet and smooth.    I'm a very satisfied second time VW owner.  Heck, I even liked the 2.5, 5 in my '10 Golf wagon.  For a boat anchor, it had such a nice growel to it on hard accelleration.

[tpl]

Wow, ANOTHER VW TDI review.  Between VW TDI's, and 911's, what else is there to review?

 

Well until the new NSX actually arrives...not much. 

[HeliDriver]

DEF (VW calls it AdBlue) is a non-hazardous mixture of urea and de-ionized water that is odourless and colourless and has a slight smell of ammonia.

So it's odorless and has a slight smell of ammonia?

The Golf’s electro-hydraulic steering...

You sure about this? Golfs (and GTIs) have had electro-mechanical steering for a while now - no hydraulics involved. AFAIK, the new Golf is no different.

[johnny2017]

4.9 on our roadtrip last weekend, nice to be consistently getting better than the revised estimates.

We own the Comfortline with both option packages.
Had the car since September and it has been flawless for us. Build quality is excellent, not a rattle to be heard so Mexico did well for us.
Leatherette has been comfortaable and no wear showing.

Over the vehicle tested, we saved over $3000 and gave up full leather, KESSY and 17" vs 16" rubber.

We are very happy with this car.

[OliverD]

Over the vehicle tested, we saved over $3000 and gave up full leather, KESSY and 17" vs 16" rubber.

And the sport suspension. Also, doesn't the Highline have different seats?

[mlin32]

Someone needs to test drive the Ford Focus 1,0 litre 3-cyl......

I wish I had gotten a diesel because of all the autoroute driving I do. Already have 28k km on my car that I just bought in August 2014; a few thousand of that was a trip to Tremblant over Christmas though. Diesel is priced at or below the level of premium petrol here so it works out well.

[Solstice2006]

You know spring is here when diesel is cheaper than regular!

[Triple Bob]

You know spring is here when diesel is cheaper than regular!

Exactly, although all of the Winter reviews of diesels seem to forget that...

[Blueprint]

Someone needs to test drive the Ford Focus 1,0 litre 3-cyl......

I wish I had gotten a diesel because of all the autoroute driving I do. Already have 28k km on my car that I just bought in August 2014; a few thousand of that was a trip to Tremblant over Christmas though. Diesel is priced at or below the level of premium petrol here so it works out well.

TSI runs on regular btw. I love the feel of the TDIs I tested, but with my mostly-urban 12k/year, the TSI would make more sense.

[Blueprint]

After all the new Golf reviews here, still no info on...

1) std stereo vs 2200$ upgrade to get Fender

I don't have a need for nav but good sound is a must for me - I did try a few VWs with the Fender setup, which I found ok but not up to the level of, for example, the Sony in the Focus Titanium. Is the base stereo ok?

2) sport suspension in Highline

Love the trim combo in the Highline (black trim + real leather), but is that "sport" suspension too stiff for potholed urban streets? Or is it just a fine middle ground between regular Golf and GTI?

[johnny2017]

The suspension on the Comfortline has not been an issue for us, not sure how much better the "sport suspension" actually is?

Seats are very supportive and comfortable, feel good getting out after a road trip.

At its price point, I can't find any faults with the car after 8 months.

4.5 / 5 is the rating I would give it as well. I'd save the 5 for the Boxster that's beyond the budget.

[JacobBlack]

After all the new Golf reviews here, still no info on...

1) std stereo vs 2200$ upgrade to get Fender

I don't have a need for nav but good sound is a must for me - I did try a few VWs with the Fender setup, which I found ok but not up to the level of, for example, the Sony in the Focus Titanium. Is the base stereo ok?

2) sport suspension in Highline

Love the trim combo in the Highline (black trim + real leather), but is that "sport" suspension too stiff for potholed urban streets? Or is it just a fine middle ground between regular Golf and GTI?

I still haven't driven anything with the standard system, I like the Fender a lot though.
VW "sport" suspension is the perfect compromise in my opinion. It's a great middle ground.

[wing]

I'm getting one of these in the summer.   Finally a diesel in summer I have only ever driven them in cold weather.   Should be interesting.