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We've taken the Golf on a big family day out down to Kent. How does the VW's 1.0-litre petrol engine handle the steep hills and extra weight?

Our new three-cylinder Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf has taken us on our first family foray: a drive to the River Medway in Kent, for a day of messing about on the river. It was a nice day out for us but a potential challenge for a medium-sized car with a 1.0-litre petrol engine.

If it had been the ancient 1000cc-engined Morris Minor I once owned, a day of lethargic acceleration would have been guaranteed. However, loading the Golf up with children and grandparents — and the mother of all family picnic hampers — wasn’t the nightmare travelling in a tiny-engined car with four passengers and their luggage would once have been.

On flat sections of road, the extra weight was barely noticeable. Only steep hills fazed the engine a fair bit, making it whirr loudly as it struggled with the extra weight.

Golf lt 6th 376

Space in the cabin proved a pleasant surprise. All five of us had enough room to spread out and be comfortable on the hour-long trip to deepest Kent.

The only chink in this eco-Golf’s armour so far is fuel economy. Having done more urban driving with passengers since my first report on the car, overall economy has dipped just below 50mpg, which is more than 15mpg short of the official figure.

To be fair, I was initially paying little attention to the subtle eco tips that regularly flash up on the screen between the speedo and rev counter. As well as suggesting I change up a gear or two far earlier than I normally would, they politely explain that I’m adversely affecting the car’s aero efficiency if I drive along with a window open.

Now that I’ve started to pay more attention to these reminders, fuel economy has improved. I’m now achieving around 56mpg, on weekdays at least. I think the only way I could improve on this would be to stop doing the 40-minute school run through town before jumping on the motorway. Tempting prospect. 

Claire Evans

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Price £20,735 Price as tested £21,120 Economy 49.8mpg Faults None Expenses None Last seen 22.6.16

Read our first report on the Volkswagen Golf, here

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xxxx 18 July 2016

55mpg A3. Petrol beats Diesel hands down

Petrol v Diesel. This is where a direct comparasion can be made. My father in law has an A3 COD, 140hp and averages 55mpg. It's faster, belches out less NOx and Soot (difference will be greater as the cars age), lighter, cheaper to buy, quieter, smoother and probably as economical as the 2.0 diesel version of the same car. All the above are facts, the only point you could argue with is the mpg but as I said the diesel wouldn't beat 55mpg by much!
winniethewoo 17 July 2016

Surely, if this wasn't

Surely, if this wasn't straightjacketed as an economy special, it could replace the 1.4 Tsi with 122bhp? Seems wierd to have a 115bhp and 122bhp engine on your books.
winniethewoo 17 July 2016

I was checking out

I was checking out honestjohns real world fuel economy. @ 50 mpg ish, thiis does beat the 1.4 Tsi and 1.4 Act which both get around 45mpg. Seems though the 1.4 ACT might be the best compromise? 90% of the fuel economy yet 130% of the power.