Our cars: VW Golf, Leon SC and SX4 S-Cross

Every day, we take a look at a few of the cars that we are living with. Today, it's the turn of the VW Golf, Seat Leon SC and Suzuki SX4 S-Cross.

Volkswagen Golf

I’ve been playing with the Golf’s tyre pressures this week, in an attempt to get the car’s average fuel economy beyond 50mpg.

I’ve had a fair bit of experience of fiddling around with tyre pressures; a few years ago I changed a Mk1 Seat Leon’s wheels for a larger aftermarket set, only to discover that fuel economy was suffering.

I tweaked the pressures most weekends, and found that pumping the tyres up to the recommended maximum doesn’t always give the best results. So I gradually let the air out until I got a more satisfying economy figure.

The ‘official’ tyre pressures for normal loads in the Golf are 32psi all round. For a full load of passengers and luggage it’s 35psi for the fronts and a considerably higher 41psi at the rear. So, as with the Leon, I’ve initially pumped the tyres up to the max; I expected the ride to be slightly firmer than before – and indeed it is a little more nobbly in town – but it's still supremely cosseting.

I'll see how the car performs over the next 1000 miles or so and report back. Or rather colleague Euan Doig will – he's borrowed the Golf this week for a trip to Dundee.

By Rob Keenan
Rob.Keenan@whatcar.com

Read all of our updates on life with our Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI.

In the car park

Content editor Tom Webster is undecided about the Seat Leon SC’s touch-screen. The proximity sensor that makes extra buttons pop up on screen is sometimes useful, but often frustrating.

Deputy art editor Michele Hall loves lots about the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, but finds its Bluetooth connection process too complicated.

Read more about our long-term fleet.