VW Golf: the final round

Had two consecutive new GTis back in the late ‘80s. First one was an 8V and the second was a 16V.
Liked them then, but wouldn’t want a modern equivalent now.

Ford allowed the Focus to dissolve into blobby anonymity. The first two generations were sharp and distinctive but the current one could be just about anything. This may be part of VW’s thinking on the Golf: that it has a distinct identity that reflects well on other VW products, and that they are afraid of destroying by sticking the badge on the wrong machine.

I actually think they may have this wrong. Part of VW’s success is that they’ve not just gone small-medium-large, like BMW and MB; a Polo has a distinct character from a Golf, which is (mercifully) quite different from a Passat. I can see that the ID.3-4-5 nomenclature is a way of shouting, “Look, electric!” in a situation where they’re behind the market and need the attention. But in five years’ time, when EVs are just ‘cars’ to most buyers, they may be glad of something with a bit more identity — as perhaps we’re already seeing with the Buzz van.

Yes, I suppose so. But a Škoda Superb can do the same job, only with a bit of charm and usefully more space.

To be fair to Passats, I last looked at one in 2012, when I was already pretty much set on a used Mercedes and was wondering if it might change my mind. It didn’t. They may be less dreary now.

I’ve not driven an ID3 but I got a lift home in one the other week. It’s OK inside but I understand the (many) criticisms I’ve read of the interior. It is missing that ‘just right’ unfussiness that makes the Golf so easy to like.

The Arteon is not a Superb in disguise - it's a Passat lift back/hatchback. But both the current Passat and Superb and Arteon and Golf.... etc. etc. are based on the MQB architecture.

Back to the Golf name though - I'd read it will make a come back on an EV. It's too important to VW.

All the car you ever need etc.
Wonder what will pick up the title?

Hmm, well, yeah, no, yeah...The Arteon has a longer wheelbase than a Passat, but slightly shorter than a Superb.  So I guess it's a halfway house.  It certainly *appears* to have more rear legroom than a Passat, but slightly less than a Superb.  The hatchback version is certainly more akin to a Superb than a Passat saloon.

But they're all three good cars, and it's nice to have such a variety of shapes and sizes and layouts to choose from, if you're in the market for such a vehicle.