Item: Volkswagen Golf GTD
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Volkswagen Golf GTD

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Up GTI

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

<p>The Golf GTD is very much targeted towards business users yearning for something racy but with affordable benefit-in-kind payments; its relatively low CO2 emissions (as little as 122g/km for the six-speed manual) mean tax rates are relatively favourable. For private buyers, the GTD's fuel economy (officially as much as 60.1mpg) means trips to the petrol station should be few and far between – or, at least, fewer and farther than they would be in a petrol-powered hot hatch.</p>

<p>Like its Golf siblings, the GTD holds onto its value well, so should be worth more after three years than the majority of its rivals.</p>

<p>The list of standard equipment is comprehensive, including a sports bodykit, front and rear parking sensors, sports seats and Volkswagen's Active Info Display – a digital dashboard that does a great job of putting the most relevant information (including the sat-nav map) directly in front of your eyes.</p>

<p>Whether you’re a company car user or a private buyer, be sure that you really value the Golf's badge because you are paying a lot for it. An equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon</a> will cost less to buy and delivers the same sort of performance.</p>

<p>Or, if you can sacrifice the sporting looks and more focused handling, the 2.0 TDI 150 Golf GT is no slouch and will cost you less.</p>

<p>The GTD gets automatic emergency braking as standard and this feature helped the Golf score well in its Euro NCAP crash test in 2012, when it was awarded the maximum five-star rating.</p>

<p>Security experts Thatcham Research also awarded the Golf five out of five for guarding against being stolen and four out of five for resisting being broken into.</p>

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<p>The engine is the real star, here. The Golf GTD uses a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 181bhp and 280lb ft of torque, giving it a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec (or 7.4sec if you opt for the DSG gearbox). There's a hefty rush of power as the turbo kicks in, followed by a broad mid-range that's potent enough to give the GTD serious pace. It also sounds quite appealing by diesel standards, with a sporty rasp as the revs rise beyond 3500rpm.</p>

<p>Despite its strong torque, the GTD suffers from little of the wheel scrabbling under heavy acceleration that's common in high-powered front-wheel-drive cars.</p>

<p>The steering also impresses. It's the same set-up that’s used in the latest Golf GTI and the initial response is suitably sharp. True, it can feel a little too sensitive at motorway speeds, but it's otherwise nicely weighted and a pleasure to use in any sort of driving.</p>

<p>The GTD doesn’t handle as precisely as the petrol-powered GTI, though. There’s more body sway through corners, although there’s still loads of grip and an appropriate sense of 'chuckability' when the moment calls for it.</p>

<p>An electronic traction control system helps here, because it works like a limited-slip differential to improve traction on the exit of corners and can also brake the inside wheels midway through bends to improve agility.</p>

<p>Crucially, apart from more road noise at motorway speeds, the GTD compromises little of the standard Golf's usability in the name of fruitier performance; it remains a relaxing daily driver, with a relatively comfortable ride.</p>

<p>Adaptive dampers are available as an option, but since standard suspension balances comfort and fun well enough, you’re better off saving your money.</p>

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<p>Chances are that you're familiar with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n149">Volkswagen Golf GTI</a>. It is, after all, one of the most iconic hot hatchbacks and has been the go-to choice for those wanting a practical performance car since its inception in 1976.</p>

<p>Trouble is, the GTI has only ever been available in petrol form, and if you spend the vast majority of your time on the motorway you're going to want a diesel option. In 2014, when VW introduced the Mk7 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Golf</a>, it added a hotter diesel version to its line-up. Named the GTD, it's intended to provide hot hatch-style thrills without those cars' traditionally high running costs.</p>

<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pEM8Tsx2Ng"></iframe></p>

<p>Like the best performance cars, the Golf GTD's extra pace musn't detract from its practicality or daily use. This is, after all, still a family hatchback.</p>

<p>Going up against fast versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n26">BMW 1 Series</a> is always going to be a challenge, though, even for VW. So can the Golf GTD hold its own in such fine company?</p>

<p>Read on over the next few pages to find out.</p>

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<p>The Golf GTD's interior is almost identical to the GTI's, only that it's finished in various hues of grey rather than the petrol car's red highlights – so it's no surprise that the car feels special inside.</p>

<p>The leather-trimmed multi-function sports steering wheel is a joy to use and looks great, as does the golf ball-effect gearknob (on manual versions).</p>

<p>All GTDs get a standard 8.0in colour touchscreen that is easy to use and makes a good focal point for the dashboard. Just as we've found in lesser Golfs, the system offers plenty of connectivity options, even though it has a few annoying foibles, such as bringing up extra, smaller icons when it senses a finger approaching.</p>

<p>An optional system, called Discover Navigation Pro, brings a larger 9.2in screen and includes gesture control, which allows you to scroll through menus and change radio stations or playlists using mid-air hand movements. This gimmick doesn't work very well, though, and the larger-screened system is expensive, so we wouldn't bother.</p>

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Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF

As with GTD, but comes with 17in alloy wheels to improve the CO2 emissions. 

GTD BlueLine

<p>The VW Golf GTD blends hot hatch-style performance with angelic running costs, yet remains just as usable as the regular Golf</p>


<p>The Golf GTD has a spacious interior and the supportive sports seats offer enough adjustment to accommodate the vast majority of body shapes. There'll be no complaints about head or leg room from those in the front, where driver and passenger have enough space to stretch out. There's also plenty of room for your odds and ends, including a sizeable cubbyhole under the centre armrest.</p>

<p>Four adult passengers can sit in the GTD with room to spare; we'd only recommend filling all three rear seats with children.</p>

<p>The Golf already offers one of the biggest boots on the market, so getting a couple of large suitcases or a pram into the GTD will be no trouble. A standard variable-height boot floor means there’s no loading lip to lift heavy items over and it comes with a separate storage compartment underneath for delicate items. There's also a perfectly smooth extended load bay when the 60/40 split-folding rear seats are down.</p>

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The VW Golf GTD blends hot hatch-style performance with angelic running costs, yet remains just as usable as the regular Golf

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

<p>A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.</p>

<p>The Golf GTI remains one of the best hot hatches on the market, along with its main competitor,&nbsp;the&nbsp;equally as responsive and cheaper to buy Hyundai i30 N. But there are some terrific options for even less money than both of these cars. We're big fans of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is definitely one of the best hot hatches ever and certainly one of the most fun to drive. It's full of character and its engaging handling makes it a bit of a hoot at all speeds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, there are even faster cars available, such as the Honda Civic Type R. This latest version is sublime to drive, either on road or on a track, as it's so sweetly balanced. It's also incredibly quick in a straight line&nbsp;and round a corner, and yet it's as practical as a regular Civic.&nbsp;</p>

Hot hatch

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

<p>The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;</p>

Volkswagen Golf GTD review

Introduction

What Car? says...