GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Volkswagen - Golf - 77TDI 5-dr hatch

Our Opinion

We like
Golf virtues – quality, comfort, refinement, resale, practicality, class – as well as awesome economy, low emissions and sweet drivetrain
Room for improvement
Expensive base price, 77TDI does not feel as gutsy as its 1.9 TDI predecessor

17 Nov 2009

ON paper the Golf 77TDI could be every car you are ever likely to need.

Super-frugal (4.9L/100km) with low CO2 emissions (129g/km) and a slick-shifting five-speed manual or well-endowed seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission, the smaller of the two turbo-diesel Golfs on sale today has the high eco cred to challenge even the ever-growing numbers of hybrids out there.

And let’s not forget the 250Nm of torque that accompanies the 77kW power tap, to give the VW some real verve – particularly when you consider that the previous-generation Golf’s 1.9-litre TDI turbo-diesel delivered the same outputs from 300cc more engine.

How could you go wrong?

Well … in fact, you can’t really – not when you add impeccable German build quality, a superbly refined and amply spacious interior, hatchback practicality, incredibly high resale value and a dynamic chassis to the mix.

The latter is a revelation, blessing the thoroughly engineered Golf with steering, handling and ride qualities that would make many cars costing at least twice as much blush with embarrassment.

But the 77TDI is merely very good – and not great like its 103kW/320Nm 103TDI turbo-diesel sibling – because the dinkier of the diesel duo fails to elevate the Golf beyond its class borders like the larger car does.

The 103TDI is in some ways better than an Audi A4, Volvo S80 or BMW 5 Series in its eerie ability to present both sumptuous comfort and involving driving pleasure in an affordable and spirited package.

In contrast, the revvy, eager, and oh-so-smooth 77TDI – though deceptively quick on a long flat road – soon runs out of breath when you need some instant overtaking performance.

We also have reservations about how that busy 7DSG gearbox would behave in the stop-start stress of big-city peak hour traffic, since the drive route that VW conjured up for us only included a mountainous mix of rural roads. Now there’s a missed opportunity …

The 77TDI also lacks some essential standard items expected in a $30,000-plus car, like cruise control and decent-looking wheels. There’s no way the base Trendline can be considered good value as a result. And going for the Comfort Pack adds a hefty $2K to the Golf’s already premium pricing.

And somehow that chrome-less grille seems incomplete.

Plus, since desirable options only serve to bump the price up, you might soon find yourself within only a couple of thousand dollars of a base (but far better equipped) 103TDI Comfortline – a car that surely lacks for nothing.

The fact that it is only fractionally less economical and emissions-friendly hardly matters when you realise that you have to really work the smaller diesel hard with your right foot to get anywhere in a hurry, further closing the gap between baby and big brother Golf.

So where does this all leave us?

In isolation the sweet and slick 77TDI makes for an intriguing and appealing alternative to the petrol-powered Golf 90TSI – and we’re sure you will have years of pleasure if you decide to go for that.

It is also a damn sight better all-rounder than virtually every other diesel small car – with the exception of the underrated Ford Focus TDCi.

But the Golf 103TDI Comfortline is bigger hearted and broader in scope as well as capability, and so worth every cent more over its smaller diesel sibling.

There’s nothing like an on-road experience to put what looks great on paper in black and white perspective!

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Golf

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Golf pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here