- Refined 2.0-litre FSI petrol engines
- Frugal turbo-diesel engines
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- Impressive ride/handling balance
- Steering is accurate and well-weighted…
- … but lacks feel
- 1.6-litre petrol engine lacks low-rev torque
- Some gauges obscured by the steering wheel
- Direct-injection 2.0 FSI engine susceptible to carbon deposits on the intake valves
- For DSG, reports of harsh or jerky gearshifts due to excessive wear in the bushings of solenoid valves in the Mechatronic unit
Overview
Released in Australia in July 2004, the Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Uitenhage, South Africa, the VW Mk.5 Golf range initially consisted of four variants (1.6i, 2.0 FSI, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI) and three editions (Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline). In May 2007, the Golf range was completed with the release of the 1.4 TSI variant.
In April 2008, the 1.6i, 2.0 FSI, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI variants were revised, with the Trendline and Comfortline editions replaced by the Edition and Pacific.
Please note that the related Mk.5 Golf GTi and Mk.5 Golf R32 have been reviewed separately.
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.4 Golf , the Mk.5 Golf was 54 mm longer (at 4204 mm), had a 56 mm longer wheelbase (2578 mm), was 39 mm higher (1479 mm) and 24 mm wider (1759 mm); the Mk.5 Golf chassis also achieved an 80 per cent increase in dynamic rigidity.
The VW Mk.5 Golf introduced an improved MacPherson strut/lower A-arm front suspension and a four-link rear suspension with inclined dampers and oval auxiliary springs.
| Variant | Edition | Year | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6i | Trendline, Comfortline |
2004-08 | 1.6-litre BGU/BSE petrol I4 |
5sp man., 6sp auto |
75 kW at 5600 rpm | 148 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| Edition | 2008-09 | |||||
| 2.0 FSI | Comfortline | 2004-08 | 2.0-litre BLR/BLX/BVY petrol I4 |
6sp man., 6sp auto |
110 kW at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| Sportline | 2004-07 | |||||
| Pacific | 2008-09 | |||||
| 1.9 TDI | Trendline, Comfortline |
2004-08 | 1.9-litre BKC/BXE turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
77 kW at 4000 rpm | 250 Nm at 1900 rpm |
| Edition | 2008-09 | |||||
| 2.0 TDI | Comfortline | 2004-08 | 2.0-litre BKD turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
103 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750 rpm |
| Sportline | 2005-07 | |||||
| Pacific | 2008-09 | |||||
| GT Sport | 2007-09 | 2.0-litre BMN turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
125 kW at 4200 rpm | 350 Nm at 1750 rpm | |
| 1.4 TSI | GT | 2007 | 1.4-litre BLG turbo- and super-charged petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
125 kW at 6000 rpm | 240 Nm at 1750 rpm |
| GT Sport | 2007-09 |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf initially included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Electronic stability control (ESC) was initially optional but, from April 2008, ESC was standard across the range (including the Edition and Pacific). The Golf GT and GT Sport, however, were fitted with electronic stability control as standard from launch.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1.6-litre VW Mk.5 Golf received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.83 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver and there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for both front occupants. In the side impact and pole tests, the Golf was awarded maximum points.
Features: Golf Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline
On release, standard features for the Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf Trendline included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and an immobiliser.
The Golf Comfortline was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, rain-sensing wipers and trip computer.
The Golf Sportline omitted rain-sensing wipers, but added 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats and front fog lamps.
Features: Golf GT and GT Sport
The Volkswagen Golf GT and GT Sport were positioned above the Sportline and, relative to the Sportline, featured 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system, automatic headlights and rear fog lamps.
Features: Golf Edition and Pacific
With the introduction of the Edition and Pacific editions – effectively replacing the Trendline and Comfortline, with the Sportline discontinued – features were also improved. Compared to the Trendline, the Golf Edition featured 15-inch alloy wheels, eight speaker sound system, multi-function leather steering wheel, front seat height and lumbar adjustment, leather gearshift and handbrake, trip computer and body-coloured exterior features. Beyond this, the Pacific was equipped with 16-inch alloys, dual-zone climate-control, front sports seats, anthracite seat cloth upholstery, front foglights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and larger trip computer screen.
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