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Volkswagen Golf GTD 2.0 TDI 5-door DSG auto road test report

GTD 2.0 TDI 5-door DSG auto

The latest generation Mk 6 VW Golf GTD is for those who want most of the performance and flair of the sporty GTI but with lower running costs. Unlike most diesel equivalents, the GTD is actually cheaper to buy (by £565) than its petrol GTI sibling, and so those lower running costs have an immediate beneficial effect.

Road Test Reports Says 5 star rating
A front-facing image of the Volkswagen Golf GTD 2.0 TDI 5-door DSG auto

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TOM SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

On paper the 2-litre 170PS GTD isn’t quite a match for the 210PS GTI in terms of outright speed, but 0-62mph in 8.1 secs and 136mph max means it’s certainly no slouch. Away from the test track, a GTI driver would have to work very hard to stay ahead of a similarly determined GTD driver from A to B because, with a mighty 258lb/ft of torque (350Nm) available from 1,750 to 2,500rpm, the GTD is a rocketship on twisting roads. My test GTD was equipped with the 6-sp, double-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox which means super-smooth, lightening-quick gearchanges in either manual or auto mode.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

The GTD’s standard 7J alloy wheels aren’t quite as flash as the 7.5J alloys of the GTI, and it doesn’t have the fancy XDS electronic diff lock system either, but if you reckon you could manage without those (I reckon I could) then front-drive GTD’s chassis, lowered suspension and running gear are all pretty much hot-hatch state-of-the-art. There’s ESP and ASR as well as EDL electronic diff lock as standard, plus the optional (£730) and effective 3-mode Adaptive Chassis Control. The upshot of all this is that body roll is minimal while both ride quality, grip and steering response are all terrific, with barely a hint of understeer even when driven hard.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

I’ve now driven five different Mk 6 Golfs, and all have been near impossible to fault. On the road they feel quiet and exceptionally refined, and none have had even a hint of a squeak or rattle from anywhere. Inside the soft-touch plastics and trim are of top quality and everything appears to be finished immaculately, although I hope that this new ‘plastiminium’ (as found on the GTD’s steering wheel spokes) keeps its looks after prolonged use. In the ’09 JD Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction survey VW achieved a score of 791, comfortably above the industry average of 781.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

In the Euro NCAP crash tests the latest Mk 6 Golf achieved the top 5-star award for occupant protection (scoring 36 points out of a max of 37). It also scored 4 and 3 stars for child and pedestrian safety respectively. Two front, two side and two side-curtain airbags all come as standard, as does a driver’s-side knee airbag. It’s also equipped with sensors that instantly measure crash intensity and adjust airbag inflation and seatbelt pretensioning accordingly. The new GTD also features WOKS (Whiplash Optimised Head Restraint System) and over half a dozen dynamic safety systems, plus Isofix child seat mountings, an engine immobiliser, alarm and remote central locking.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

Despite the Mk 6’s exterior dimension changes it’s basically business as usual inside. Interior headroom is ample for my 6ft+ frame in either front or rear. The Mk 6’s extra 27mm in width isn’t obvious but, according to VW, there’s now more room inside for five. Around 75% of GTD buyers are likely to opt for the 5-door model, but, as before, there’s also the sportier-looking 3-door version. The GTD’s sports front seats keep you firmly held in place while the ‘Jacara Mono’ tartan seat cloth harks back to the iconic Mk 1 GTi. Luggage space is a decent 350-litres, extending to 1,305-litres with the rear seats folded.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 5 stars

In addition to the standard climate control, dusk and rain sensors, cruise control and more, my GTD also boasted optional 7.5Jx18-inch alloys (£390), a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen DVD navigation/audio system with 30GB hard drive, SD card reader and 8-channel, 300-watt Dynaudio amplifier (£1,960) plus a £350 Winter Pack with headlight washers, heated front seats and heated washer jets etc. All this bumps the price up from the basic £23,760 otr of the DSG-equipped 5-dr GTD. However, 50.4mpg (combined) is very impressive for a near 140mph car, as is £125 (band F) VED, while group 15 insurance isn’t too scary either. All in all, the Golf GTD makes a very strong case for itself, and not just for diesel lovers.

Submitted: 14/10/2009 12:32:15

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