Volkswagen Golf Plus Luna 1.4 80PS
The Golf Plus may, at first glance, appear to be a strange choice of vehicle for Volkswagen to market. After all, they have one of the most successful hatchbacks ever produced in the Golf, so why create a taller version? Volkswagen believe that they can attract buyers for the Golf Plus from those that would normally look to buy family-oriented vehicles like MPVs but would prefer a little more style than offered by the current crop of people carriers.
The entry level model in the Golf Plus range is the 1.4-litre Luna variant that we look at here. Its powered by Volkswagens older 80PS petrol engine, a unit that delivers 38.2mpg on the combined cycle.
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The extra 95mm of height over a standard Golf might lead you to worry about an increase in body roll but you neednt. Volkswagen have increased the standard hatchs spring rates to cope and added a thicker rear anti-roll bar: as a result, theres virtually no discernable difference between the two cars from a driving perspective.
"One benefit of basing the Golf Plus on the Golf Mk V chassis is that it has an excellent start to life.., "
So what do you get for the extra £1,000 over an equivalent standard Golf? Well, for a start, the additional outlay gets you 20mm of extra interior headroom, enabling you to sit much higher than in a standard Golf. That means more legroom for passengers too, even before they start playing with the sliding rear seats. Volkswagen have resisted the temptation to jemmy in seven seats and have instead concentrated on making the five seats and luggage bay as practical as possible. The rear seats can be shifted fore and aft by 160mm and folded by means of a new system to Volkswagen which means that they are automatically lowered when folded down.
This results in a virtually level load space, making the Golf Plus a very practical option indeed. The seats do the usual 60:40 split and the middle seat can also be folded down to form a drinks table. Additional stowage spaces around the cabin and a double height boot floor are nice touches but once again, the Golf Plus throws up more questions than answers. After all, these features could probably have been integrated into the Golf without too much of a headache. 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.
It also retains the basic stance of the Golf. The interior keeps the Golf Plus at the top of the family hatch tree. It uses a fascia design reminiscent of the Phaeton luxury saloon although the centre console is lifted from the Touran mini-MPV. With the possible exception of its pricier Volkswagen Group cousin, the Audi A3, the cabin has the beating of anything out there as regards ambience.
The interior features soft-feel slush-moulded plastics, high-quality switches, subtle use of chrome, fabric-covered A-pillars plus blue instrument backlighting with red needles - a signature of the fourth generation model. In addition, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), no fewer than six airbags and anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard throughout the range. Big car features such as automatic activation of headlamps and wipers are built into the cars electronics. What you do need to ask if you think you might be in the market for this car is whether £13,162 is too much to pay for a five-seat Family Hatchback with great build quality and a dash of extra versatility.
After all, you can get a fully-fledged mini-MPV from a rival manufacturer for less (or a Volkswagen Touran for only a couple of hundred more). Overall, the Golf Plus Luna 1.4 should find a ready market with those whose priorities are centred on comfort, carrying capacity and economy. Â
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Golf Plus Luna 1.4
PRICES: £13,162 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 4
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.9s / Max Speed 104mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 41mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4204/2010/1580 WHO TO SEE:
