VW Golf Bluemotion

The VW Golf first arrived on our shores in 1974. Since then it has become established as a family car for everyone with no class association. This is a car for your Geography teacher or your mistress. In a way, there is little to be said about the VW Golf because there is nothing that needs to be said. The word “Golf” is enough to describe the quality feel of a Golf and to explain how it will do everything you could ever wish of a car without complaint. It is often considered the best all-round motorcar and continues to dominate sales charts around the world.

VW Golf @ 40

 Volkswagen has a long established method of developing the Golf. To date there has been 7 variations and whilst no two look the same, it is clear to see the family relations. The MK6 and MK7 Golf look particularly similar making it easy to spot a Golf a mile off. They are a reassuring piece of automotive architecture. The model featured here is the Golf Bluemotion – one of their best selling models thanks to low running costs.

Driving a Golf is easy with nothing untoward to catch you out. Stepping into the cabin is like pulling on a pair of old jeans. I do like the new dash layout though it isn’t something to get excited about. The Bluemotion is left wanting for kit though – cruise control for one is lacking – but the touchscreen DAB radio adds a touch of class. I’d say it is the best touchscreen in terms of responsiveness that I’ve used in recent times. It did take me a little while to get comfortable behind the wheel but there was sufficient adjustment in all of the controls to soon find my sweet spot. Within minutes I was settled behind the wheel and covering ground with ultimate ease.

Pointy rear

The high level of competence does however create a problem for the Golf. You approach the car knowing it is going to be good with high expectations. Generally speaking the car won’t disappoint but because it is so good at the majority of tasks any shortcomings are easily noticed and disproportionately irritating. For example, the rear wash wiper is too small and doesn’t clear enough of the rear screen. The wing mirrors are too big and are mounted to the doors which not only looks ugly but then means there is a small window in front of the driver’s door. It doesn’t aid visibility and looks awkward. And the worst part of the whole car? The handbrake! For reasons unbeknown to anyone VW have equipped this latest Golf with an electronic handbrake and it is rubbish! When you come to a stop the car automatically holds itself without needing you to operate the handbrake. To pull away, engage first (waiting for the engine to start courtesy of the Bluemotion’s Stop/Start technology) and pull away. That I like – nice and easy. However, if you stop the car and apply the handbrake via the small button by the gearlever then you can only turn it off with your foot on the brake. It doesn’t sound much but it is a faff with no real tangible benefit over a conventional handbrake. And believe me, the car won’t relent no matter how hard you try to pull away!

Too big and in the wrong place

This is a shame as it detracts from the otherwise faultless Golf. Nice touches abound such as the separate rear cabin lights, vanity light that comes on when you slide back the cover on the mirror and the soft-closing grab handles. Road noise is kept at a minimum too and the 110bhp 1.6 TDi engine provides plenty of power if no challenge to any acceleration records. The VW then throws in the sweetener; covering 240 miles on £22 worth of diesel (approximate 52mpg). As a no fuss companion on a long journey, the Golf is the one.

A drop amongst the red

They say practice makes perfect and arguably Volkswagen has had plenty of time to perfect the Golf equation. They haven’t disappoint and this latest variant only highlights that fact. 

Nissan Juke 1.5dCi

Say what you like, but there is little getting away from the fact that your choice of car is the biggest statement you can make about yourself. Knowingly or not, it tells onlookers your priorities in life, your perceived success and your ideals. Seeing someone’s car provides the opportunity to review their personality in an instant.

Confusing lighting arrangements

 Marketing men are well aware of this and manufacturers respond according to what people want. Over the last few years this has results in a seismic change in the automotive landscape. At the head of this wave of change is the hateful Nissan Juke. I detest everything this car stands for. It’s a 4x4 that by Nissan’s own admission was designed specifically for city use. How can that be? The design is particularly gimmicky and whether intentional or not, ugly. I was distraught when presented with one but figured I should take the opportunity to try one for myself. This would actually be the first Nissan I’ve ever driven.

Busy rear with a small aperture

The driving position is odd. You’re slightly elevated above other car users – a key selling point for this type of car I think. Adjustability was forthcoming but the central armrest lacked in fore and aft movement. The dashboard has a modern look to it with two screens. The stereo was a touch-screen device with a colour rear parking camera and built in Sat Nav. The sound quality was very good as a result of the young target audience. I approve. The second screen controls the climate control and car settings. Eco, Normal & Sport modes were available. Selection of each mode gave a power gauge, torque gauge or G-meter. Sounds cool right? Trying to fathom out what button does what down in the deepest depths of the dash is an ergonomic nightmare. Whilst all the technology was present it lacked the interface to fully exploit them in order to enhance the driving experience as Nissan engineers might have hoped.

Functionally capable, if hard to use

Having given up on setting the climate control, I set off. The 110bhp 1.5dCi engine is a corker and produces a good level of shove permitting eager roundabout exits. The noise is a bit coarse but turning up the aforementioned stereo dealt with that problem. In the mean time I continued to enjoy the lump of torque available at the lower echelons of the rev range. On the motorway the cruise control provided effortless cruising. The buttons, mounted on the steering wheel, did take some getting used to but once I’d figured out how they worked the system was quite pleasing to use. Naturally I automatically selected “Sport” from the off. Afterall it is the only mode worth bothering with. I only came to question my choice when I hit some slight; and I mean slight; undulations on the motorway. Suddenly the car was banging and thumbing, almost throwing me from my seat! Delving deep into the dash I eventually found and prodded the “Normal” button. Instantaneously suspension was reintroduced to the equation – what a relief. In “Normal” model the Juke proved to be a competent motorway cruiser right up until I changed motorways. Tackling a flowing right hander, connecting the M62 to M6, as I would in any other car I found myself suddenly piloting the Jahre Viking. Soft and wallowing don’t even start to describe the awful handling, a direct consequence of the raised ride height. Fumbling for the “Sport” button resolved the issue.

Buried power

You would think, given my disdain for the Juke that I’d be lapping up these issues. Rather worryingly, something very odd happened. I found myself really enjoying the drive. Okay, so you have to be ready to change the mode according to the task in hand but otherwise the Juke is a joy to drive. The keen engine pulls cleanly through the rev range. The gear change, despite a heavy clutch, is a joy with plenty of feedback and a chunky throw. In Sport the handling is surprisingly good and highlighted the communicative steering so often lacking in a modern car. I was enjoying myself so much that when I hit a road closure causing me a 20 mile diversion I was pleased! I simply couldn’t get enough of plotting my way down the lanes with the two sidelights atop of the front wings leading the way.

Establishing what the Juke is trying to achieve is difficult. It isn’t particularly practical with a tiny boot and limited rear legroom. Nor is it all that versatile as an SUV given its road biased design. So it isn’t a city car, nor is it isn’t a family car. Neither is it an outdoor lifestyle vehicle really. What it is then is a complete departure from the norm. Wayward styling coupled with a rewarding driving experience. An addictive hot hatch for the Space Age then.

Urban cruiser

The truly shocking fact is that when the Juke drove away I felt a prang of sadness. Now that is something I never expected.