Upsized Game. Volkswagen Sportsvan 1.4 Highline
Photos by Low Fai Ming. Text by Regan Ong, sgCarMart.
The all new Volkswagen Sportsvan is ready to address fans of the Golf with ample
space and versatility.
The compact MPV market has, in recent years, taken a bruising from newer concepts
such as compact SUVs and crossovers. But Volkswagen isn't content with its lineup
and has completely renewed what used to be the Golf Plus (not available in
Singapore), turning it into something much more attractive against the competition.
The name Golf Plus has been ditched and Volkswagen has christened its new car the
Golf Sportsvan in Europe, truncated to Golf SV in the U.K. and just Sportsvan here
in Singapore.
While we have already tried a left-hand drive version during its international launch in France last year, this time, we have a go at the right-hand drive model that has landed on our shores.
Exterior
The Golf Plus had something of an image problem with some, being seen more or less
as a dowdier, less wieldy Golf. Fortunately, the Sportsvan is much easier on the
eye and will likely garner broader appeal.
Its exterior design isn't what you'd call adventurous, but sharp edges and
prominent creases along the flanks do help the car neatly disguise its inflated
proportions.
Rather than having a solid C-pillar like its predecessor, the glass area has been
extended, reducing the impression of height when viewed in profile, and the front
wheels are closer to the car's front end.
The angular lights of the Mk7 Golf family are present and correct, the higher
roofline doesn't detract from its stance and the overall effect is of a compact,
tidy design, thanks to the fact that it is just 83mm longer than its hatchback
brethren. It's also wider and taller than the standard model by 8mm and 126mm
respectively, and this translates to more space inside.
Interior
The party trick of the Sportsvan lies in its rear quarters because there are acres
of head and legroom everywhere.
It's significantly more spacious than the hatchback, thanks to a wheelbase that is
48mm longer. To this end, the rear seats can be moved 180mm forwards to create more
room in the 500-litre boot, or backwards so that those in the rear can stretch
out.
The best way to describe the interior of the Sportsvan, really, is a bigger Golf.
With the exception of larger air vents, bigger spacing between buttons and a few
more capacious cubby holes, there's very little separating the two cars from each
other.
The dashboard, centre console and instrument panel are near identical in design and
build quality is robust enough to handle the worst a family can hurl at it.
Family focused it is, and one tell-tale sign is the centre console that is slightly
flatter rather than angled towards the driver. The electronic handbrake has also
migrated forward to sit alongside the gearstick, making way for a pair of
generously sized cupholders between the front seats.
Volkswagen upped its game in terms of interior refinement with the Mk7 Golf, and
the Sportsvan follows suit with a cabin that's tastefully decked out in soft-touch
materials edged with slithers of aluminium and piano black inserts (Highline
model).
The Drive
The 1.4-litre turbocharged engine is quiet and strong, delivering enough torque to
make it flexible in every gear and it's smooth enough to be completely fuss free,
which probably sums up the car right there.
Bolted to the seven-speed DSG gearbox, it manages to merge effortless highway
cruising with reasonable off-the-line accelerative urge.
Road and wind noise have also been kept to a ear-pleasing minimum, thus making the
car very relaxing to be in. Slumber inducing or not, the Sportsvan remains an
accomplished vehicle.
You may be forgiven for looking at the Sportsvan's size and thinking it won't be
anywhere near as good to drive as its hatchback sibling.
But the truth is it shares much of its running gear with the Golf. As a result, the
two cars are very similar on the road. The compact MPV drives just like a bigger
and heavier Golf and this also means it is smooth and predictable.
Our test car in Highline trim is equipped with sports suspension as standard, which
seems quite unusual for a family-focused car. As such, the ride is a little bit
firmer than we'd expect on this type of car. Nonetheless, it can handle corners
without drama and hold the road surprisingly well.
Besides all of its other trickeries, the Sportsvan also has a driving profile
selector, so its engine response, transmission urgency and even its steering can
work together to deliver four driving programmes - Eco, Normal, Sport and an
Individual mode that can combine them in funky combinations.
Conclusion
The Volkswagen Sportsvan is a perfectly civilised car to drive, with nicely
weighted controls and decent ride quality. It's not the last word in driver
enjoyment, but the handling is safe and predictable, while the engine offers enough
performance for most.
For a compact MPV to so closely mimic the driving dynamics of a hatchback on which
it's based is a big achievement. Add bundles of practicality and the Sportsvan
makes a compelling case for itself.
Read the original article here.
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