Volkswagen Golf Plus Dune
There will be those that sniff at a front-wheel drive vehicle that wears such rugged body armour but Volkswagen Golf Plus Dune owners probably dont take themselves too seriously. Handsome, economical and very practical, take the Dune with a shovelful of salt and youll probably warm to it.
| Build |  |
| Comfort |  |
| Depreciation | |
| Economy |  |
| Equipment | |
| Handling | |
| Insurance | |
| Performance |  |
| Styling | |
| Value | |
Certainly, the charge that the Dune models are imposters that are all mouth and no trousers is, on the face of it, tough to refute. Still, better a wannabe than a wastrel. At least the former demonstrates ambition. The 1.
9-litre engine that powers the Golf Plus Dune is neither the first nor last word in refinement. It develops 104bhp, which means that performance isnt searing. In fact, the engine is probably the weakest point of this vehicle. Torque, as youd expect from a turbodiesel, is plump enough at 249Nm but the power delivery is peaky, the engine having the elastic bog and surge characteristics of an old fashioned turbodiesel unit.
Stay on top of the relatively pleasant gearchange and youll manage 0-60mph in 11.8 seconds and eke a top speed of 121mph out of the car which is by no means slow but ragging this engine hard isnt enjoyable. Better to surge from gear to gear, shortshifting and enjoying the rather busy swell of torque. One benefit of basing the Golf Plus on the Golf Mk V chassis is that it has an excellent start to life, the electro-mechanical steering feel and composed body control being leagues ahead of most of the opposition.
Its not quite as sharp as a standard Golf thanks to a ride height that goes up by 20mm, the revised springs and dampers focused on ironing out ruts and city potholes rather than the ability to carve a pure trajectory around a 70mph corner.
"Id rather have a Golf Plus Dune than most sub £20k small 4x4s."
The Golf Plus shape works really well with the Dune styling accessories. Whereas the Polo looks a bit odd all beefed up, the Golf Plus Dune wears its macho apparel with far less self consciousness. In fact, Id go as far as to say this is how the Golf Plus should always have looked. No longer is it the rather apologetic looking thing that struggled to make a case for itself.
The Dune treatment gives it some much needed identity. Aside from the raised ride height, there are matt black wheel arch extensions and similar textured plastic framing the front air dam and the rear valance. Silver roof rails and black side rubbing strips are also standard, as are the front fog lights that sit in a deep front air dam. Only three colours are offered, Ice Silver and Steel Grey metallics and a pearl effect Blue Graphite.
The Golf Plus body is a little taller than a normal Golf, the windscreen rising at a sharper angle and the rear end slightly reprofiled. Grafting another 95mm of headroom into the Golf hasnt created a super-versatile mini-MPV but it does offer another option for Golf buyers who thought they were pushed for space. Total loading capacity rises to 505 litres. The Golf Plus Dune range isnt to hard to get your head around.
There are no confusing trim levels, equipment variations or different engine and body combinations to factor in. One engine, one body style, one trim level is the extent of the deal, and one price of £18,495 on the road. Volkswagen has made it tricky to compare directly with the standard Golf Plus range by altering the list of standard equipment, so its hard to say exactly what the Dune gear is costing you, but given that a Golf Plus 1.9TDI SE retails at £16,877, its not an inconsiderable sum.
Unique interior trim is some recompense as is a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. Climatic semi automatic air conditioning is fitted alongside automatic driving lights and rain sensing wipers, electric windows all round, a trip computer, and an eight-speaker CD stereo. Like all Golf Plus variants, there are six airbags, ABS brakes and ESP stability control. The 17-inch BBS alloy wheels alone would cost most of the difference.
Fuel economy of this 1.9-litre engine is predictably good, the combined economy figure of 50.4mpg being comparatively resistant to a heavy right boot. Even driven quite hard, youll easily see more than 30mpg.
The emission figure of 148g/km isnt bad either for a vehicle of this size and weight. Depreciation is likely to be modest as family-friendly vehicles that are economical and well built always do well and those carrying a Volkswagen badge on the nose especially so. Likewise insurance is affordable, the Golf Plus Dune hardly being the weapon of choice for the Max Power brigade. Figure on paying Group 7 or 8 premiums and youll have some idea of how it fits in against rivals.
Theres no doubt that vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf Plus Dune divide opinion. Some just cant get past the fact that its styled like a 4x4 but has front-wheel drive and little to no off-road ability. Others wont care and will enjoy the styling and be comfortable with the fact that all-wheel drive would, for them, be an unnecessary complication and expense. Neither camp is willing to accept the others point of view and the sneerers and the shruggers are destined never to see eye to eye.
With a 2.0-litre TDI engine and the DSG sequential gearbox, the Golf Plus Dune would be a very satisfying piece of kit but the rather outdated powerplant and five-speed box rather count against it. The target market probably isnt overly interested in the oily bits though. I think the Dune is a smart piece of marketing and deserves to do well.
Casual cynicism is easy but Id rather have a Golf Plus Dune than most sub £20k small 4x4s.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Golf Plus Dune
PRICE: £18,495 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 148g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.8s / Max Speed 121mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 50.4 mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags / ABS / ESP / rain sensing wipers / dusk sensing headlights
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4204/2010/1580
