Volkswagen Golf Mild Hybrid 1.5 eTSI DSG Life (A) Review

1.5-litre unit has its power output reduced to 129bhp, but is still an eager and willing performer

Unlike the 148bhp Golf that we tested in May of 2021, this Golf you see in the pictures above now comes with a 129bhp output, allowing it to be registered here with a Cat A COE. The multi-link suspension at the rear also gets swapped with a trailing arm setup in this variant.

But its price has been dropped accordingly: With a price tag of $177,900, this 129bhp Golf marks itself as a high value option next to the 148bhp Golf in 'Life Plus' trim, which comes in at $189,900 (all prices as of 3 May 2023).

People power

You get 17-inch rims in this trim, while other Golfs will get 18-inch items

And it is not as if you'll find yourself wanting for those lost 19bhp either. Set this new car into its 'Sport' mode or opt to row through the gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles and you'll have no issue with keeping up with traffic.

Volkswagen states that this Golf will complete the century sprint in 9.4 seconds, just a smidgen longer than the 8.5 second time of its more powerful variant.

But leave the car in its 'Comfort' mode and it stays competent even as a calming inner-city commuter. Armed with mild hybrid technology, the 1.5-litre unit here will frequently shut down to let the car simply sail along. The upshot of this means you won't have to listen to that engine for long (which is well muted but still gruff enough to irritate), and also will be able to chalk up an average fuel economy of close to 14.7km/L.

Paddles on the steering wheel make it easy to call for more acceleration when needed

More pertinent to most considering buying this Golf, I think, is the fact that with a total of 200Nm of torque and assisted by a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, those half-throttle overtaking manoeuvres are accomplished here with less rpms dialed in compared to other non-turbocharged options, which should be a great boon to overall cabin refinement.

Comfortable commuter

And this means the Golf's other equally well sorted features will also stand out. Those more accustomed to Japanese hatchbacks will find the suspension damping here stiff, but the car still manages to round off sharper edges on the road, a feat that combines with good cabin insulation to maintain overall passenger comfort.

Navigating through the 8.25-inch infotainment system is easy thanks to these quick access buttons

And the Golf's near 50-year legacy shows elsewhere in the cabin. The layout of the controls in the cabin can only be described as intuitive, as is the firm's 'Composition' infotainment system, cast through an 8.25-inch central screen here.

The damping of the switchgear and the way the doors slam shut, meanwhile, all convey a level of build quality that other mass market rivals have not quite managed to match.

And further adding to the Golf's overall liveability is the fact that the seats are mighty comfortable items to sit on, with generous cushioning on their bases.

All-round great

It's not hard to see why the Golf has won hearts the world over

So, is this now the new affordable Golf to get? At a $12,000 discount against the 148bhp 'Life Plus' trim Golf, the more budget conscious in these times of record-high COEs shouldn't have much difficulty choosing between the two.

Sure, the wheels in this new option are an inch smaller, and the ambient lighting system comes complete with 10 colours rather than 30. The cabin here also only comes with a single-zone air-conditioning system as opposed to a three-zone one.

But this newest variant still comes with plenty of essentials from the 'Life Plus' car that motorists here will really want, including the digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster, Volkswagen's Side Assist and Rear traffic alert driver assistance features, as well as welcome puddle lights.

Most importantly, this 129bhp variant also has the additional charm of coming closer to the original 1974 Golf's brief of delivering affordable motoring to the masses. That's something that has been loved for nearly half a decade, and worth cherishing for many more years still.

Looking for something practical for the family? There's also these options to consider:

The Mazda3 hatchback combines a sleek exterior with a premium cabin

While the Skoda Octavia comes with a massive boot and delivers a quiet drive

There's also the Toyota Corolla Altis, with its high ride comfort and sharpened design

Or you might want to go with this Kia Cerato, with its quiet drivetrain and high ride comfort

Catch everyone's favourite hatchback here on video as well!