HAS there ever been a more overused word than ‘iconic’?
When it was sparingly used ‘iconic’ used to make people sit up and take notice. But now it’s applied to things that are famous or merely well-liked. And that’s plain wrong.
The Statue of Liberty, that’s iconic. The London Eye? Not so much.
Only a handful of cars deserve the iconic treatment. The original Mini, the VW Beetle, the Porsche 911 and the VW Golf are all, in my book, iconic.
All of them embrace the Cambridge dictionary definition of iconic as ‘something or someone very famous, popular, and widely recognized as a symbolic representation of a particular era, place, style, or idea’.
So how do you replace an icon?
Volkswagen’s engineers and designers have faced that problem through eight generations of the Golf. How to make a car that’s still recognisably a Golf, the most popular car of its type in the world, only better?
More than 50 years after the first generation arrived, it remains the benchmark against which family hatchbacks are judged. And, in an era when manufacturers seem obsessed with pseudo off-roaders, the latest Golf 1.5 TSI eHybrid still makes a compelling case for sticking with a traditional hatchback.
But the Golf has to move with the times.
Cars – even very popular ones – powered purely by internal combustion engines are so 2010 these days. The Zeitgeist is electric and hybrid power.
So the version tested here combines Volkswagen’s latest plug-in hybrid technology with a healthy 204PS output and a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. On paper it promises the best of both worlds: strong performance and remarkably low running costs.
The Golf still looks snappy (Image: VW)
The powertrain combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 204PS. That’s a lot of poke yet performance is brisk rather than spectacular, with 0-62mph taking around 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.
That said, in these days of ever increasing speed cameras and draconian limits, this is all the performance any driver could ever need.
And the figures tell only part of the story. Around town the Golf feels smooth, refined and effortless. The electric motor delivers instant response away from traffic lights, while the DSG gearbox swaps ratios seamlessly.
Driven gently, many daily journeys can be completed largely on electric power alone, reducing both fuel bills (surely a very good thing when the cost of a gallon is rapidly approaching £10) and exhaust emissions. Volkswagen claims an electric range approaching 90 miles under ideal conditions, which is enough to cover most commuters’ weekly routines between charges.
The Golf’s greatest strength has always been its uncanny maturity, and that remains true here. The ride is composed, absorbing broken road surfaces without fuss, while motorway refinement is excellent. Wind and road noise are impressively subdued, giving the car a premium feel unmatched by any other car in the mass-market hatchback class.
True, drivers seeking hot-hatch excitement may find it a little restrained. It corners neatly and accurately, but its focus is comfort and competence rather than outright thrills. Yet for most buyers that will be exactly the point. The Golf is easy to drive quickly, inspiring confidence rather than demanding commitment.
If you want more there’s always the Golf R.
The Golf cabin as classy as ever (Image: VW)
Inside, Volkswagen has continued refining the cabin introduced with the eighth-generation Golf. The digital instrument display is clear and modern, while material quality remains among the best in the class. There is a strong sense of solidity throughout and all the major controls fall easily to hand. Even the annoying touch sensitive climate control bar at the base of the screen doesn’t feel so frustrating – possibly a result of long-term familiarity?
Rear-seat space is perfectly adequate for adults and there is plenty of room for children. The plug-in hybrid battery does have an impact on luggage space, reducing boot capacity compared with some conventional Golf models, but there is still enough room for weekly shopping or family holidays.
Match trim strikes a sensible balance between equipment and value. Buyers get a generous specification without venturing into the more expensive R-Line or performance-focused variants. The result is a car that feels well equipped rather than overly complicated.
Of course, the success of any plug-in hybrid depends on how it is used. Owners who charge regularly will enjoy excellent economy and very low emissions. Those who neglect the charging cable will still have a capable family hatchback, but one carrying the weight of a battery that is not being fully utilised.
In many ways, that sums up the Golf itself. There is nothing flashy or revolutionary about it. Instead, Volkswagen has concentrated on getting every aspect right. It is comfortable, refined, practical, efficient and surprisingly quick when required.
The latest Volkswagen Golf Match eHybrid may not turn heads in the way a sports car or SUV can, but it continues the model’s long tradition of quiet excellence. For motorists seeking a capable, efficient and thoroughly civilised family car, it remains one of the smartest choices on the market.
Does that make it iconic? For all the right reasons, yes it does.