“With a growing family, the default decision is to upgrade to an SUV. The Golf SV mixes SUV-like space with hatchback-like dynamics, and if you’ve outgrown your compact hatch, the SV should be on your watch-list.”
While most small families – with one child – can cope with a compact hatchback such as the VW Golf, throw a second child into the mix, and in-car-space becomes a premium, especially if your little‘uns are close in age.
Most hatchback boots can accommodate a pram, however, a second pram or stroller puts a spanner in the works, so to speak. So too with baby car seats, which are bulky and take up a lot more space in the rear seats than some of you (childless) folks would imagine.
I know that feeling. I need more space, what should I buy?
Well, market trends dictate that you should probably upgrade to a compact SUV or Crossover such as a Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan. Personally, I’d point you towards a station wagon but, they’ve become so unfashionable (and premium priced) in South Africa, you can barely find one anymore.
But what if neither of those options particularly float your boat and you’re kind of attached to your trusty hatchback but need more space?
Well, Volkswagen has come to your rescue.
What we have here is the new Golf SV or Sports Van. Essentially, it’s a Golf but a little bigger, well, a lot bigger actually. Overall it’s 83mm longer than a regular Golf. However, the wheelbase is 48mm longer, meaning you get more room inside.
It’s also a whole 126mm taller meaning you get more headroom, and when standing next to it, it certainly looks and feels a lot taller than a regular Golf.
What does this mean in real life?
In short, a lot more room, especially in the rear. Rear legroom is massive and I’d go so far as to say it beats many full-size SUVs for rear legroom. This is in part down to some clever interior packaging.
The rear bench is split 60/40 and each section can slide forwards and backwards independently of the other by up to 180mm. This means if you want more boot space you can slide them both to their forward most setting, freeing up 590 litres of boot space.
The rear backrests are split 40/20/40, with the two outside seatbacks (the 40s) adjustable for angle. All three sections can be folded down separately – emphasising the SVs practicality – allowing for a range of configurations.
So for instance if you have a long narrow something or other that you need to transport, you can just fold down the middle 20% flat. Something bigger might require the one side to be folded down as well (60%) etc…
Folding them all down completely reveals (an almost) flat loading area and frees up over 1 500 litres of space.
What’s life like up front for the driver?
Getting into the Golf SV and you immediately notice its higher ride height and elevated seating position. You sit on the seats rather than falling into as you would with a regular golf or hatchback.
The higher roofline translates into a lot roomier interior too, with a spacious and airy feel, accentuated in part by the dash and windscreen sitting far away from you the driver.
Again, with the emphasis on practicality, there are lots of storage spaces spread around the cabin. Up front, there’s a large bubby-hole, a big centre storage between the seats including to cup holders and another lidded box ahead of the gear-lever. A centre armrest with storage compartment is also standard across the range.
There’s plenty of space in the doors too, the front doors will swallow a 1.5-litre bottle while the rear accepting 1-litre sized bottles. Comfortline spec adds a further two storage boxes under front seats.
And on the technology front?
Standard across the range is a 5.0-inch colour touchscreen with MP3 and SD compatibility connected to 8 speakers. The model I drove for the week was the 1.4TSi Comfortline and had the optional ‘composition media’ 5.8-inch touchscreen which adds Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary connectivity and voice control.
Other standard featured across the Golf SV range include a leather-trimmed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, driver’s and front passenger’s seat height adjustment, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, air-conditioning and power windows all round.
Safety wise you have a plethora of safety and driver assist systems included as standard, anti-lock brakes with hydraulic brake assist, electronic stability control which includes an electronic differential lock and traction control.
7 airbags will help to keep you and your precious cargo safe in the case of an accident, with two up front, two on the sides, two curtain airbags and one for the drivers knee.
Engine options
Powering the Golf SV is a familiar trio of engines. Petrol options include a 1.2 TSi producing 81kW and a 1.4TSi producing 92kW. With a 175Nm and 200Nm respectively. Having driven the 1.4TSi manual, it seems to me to be the pick of the line-up. There’s decent torque available and considering the load-lugging capabilities of the SV, you’ll appreciate that extra 25Nm.
The entry level 1.2 is only available with a 6-speed manual while the 1.4 can specced with a 7-speed DSG automatic.
The 2.0-litre TDi engine sits as the halo in the range and can also be had in 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. Producing 81kW and 250Nm this model, combined with VWs slick DSG is probably the model to have if money is no object.
Okay, let’s wrap this up
Speaking of money. The entry level 1.2TSi Trendline will set you back R292 500, and the top of the range 2.0TDi DSG Comfortline tops out at R359 200. The 1.4TSi Comfortline manual I drove for the week, kind of sits in the middle at R325 200.
The most obvious competition for the Golf SV comes from within the Volkswagen stable with the Touran people mover. The entry level 1.2TSi model costs R303 500 and promises more space, but personally I’d prefer a bigger engine in the Touran size body and that means things start to get pricey.
The Opel Meriva on the other hand significantly undercuts the SV on price and offers similar space and clever storage options, all with a starting price of R261 500 for the 1.4 Turbo Enjoy model.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Mercedes-Benz B-Class are both technically similarly sized and powered but are far dearer, with cheapest Active Tourer costing R378 000 and the cheapest B-Class will set you back roughly R389 000.
Volkswagen seems to have carved itself a nice little niche then with the Golf SV, it’s very spacious, well specced and competitively priced, and if you and your little family have outgrown your family hatch, the Golf SV is should definitely be on your watch list.