Hi everyone,
I've been following these discussion threads closely ever since the new Tig popped on my radar - well basically need to upgrade to a more family orientated vehicle as I currently drive (well my wife most of the time lol) a Golf R MK6 (MY13).
So I finally got to test drive one of these (132tsi with DA package). It was a short test drive because dealer was closing in 45min and previous customers took longer than anticipated - my wife still needs to test drive it so hoping once these go officially on sale (roughly 24th Sep) we can take one overnight...Anyways, for my opinion and a lenghty input as such...
1) I felt at home when setting up my position/mirrors etc. Perhaps that was because the instrument layout is familiar to me. It looks like VW follow similar layout between their various cars - which IMO is a good thing.
2) Ride comfort was great overall even though the seats (fabric) were not as bucket as in my Golf R - which I enjoy. The seats did feel bit stiffer in the buttocks - perhaps less cushion depth. But, the leather seats do feel even more comfy than fabric. Regarding R-line seats. Dealer mentioned they will/should be similar to the new Passat CC, so I will definitely keep this add-on on my radar.
2) Steering was fluid and responsive, although feedback was not as pronounced as in my Golf R. Perhaps because it's electric and not hydrolic. Either way, it was easy to turn the car and overall the steering wheel felt nice to hold in any position.
3) Suspension, well much more comfy than my sporty Golf R lol! The car swallowed minor pot holes with ease and overall it felt much more comfy to drive in.
4) Cabin noise was exceptionally minimal even at 100km/h on a stretch of highway test. This is one of the things that needs to tick my box.
5) This brings me to engine noise and capability. IMO there was no significant engine noise when accelerating somewhat gently in suburban streets/roads. However, I could definitely hear the engine when pushing it hard from stop or low speed. It is not as loud as in the Honda or Nissan - IMO the Mazda CX5 was bit better. Maybe because it's a 2.5 litre vs 2.0 turbo. What did put me off bit was when I was at the traffics lights for 3-4min and the engine revs when to zero (something like the istop in the mazda, to conserve fuel) and as the engine turned off I put on the accelerator and there was a very distinct delay in the car moving off.
6) Transmission. Hmmmm not entirely impressed with the DSG. Definitely felt some turbo lag when starting up the car from zero km/h - maybe that's because I have been driving my Golf R for so long so I know that feeling of turbo boost delay lol, plus were talking about an SUV here so the car weight is much higher. Also, with take off under heavier foot acceleration the car at times felt like it was slipping or the clutch would not engage the gear smoothly - I felt that thump. Overall when accelerating "normally" the DSG was smooth.
7) Interior looked great but the plastic on the lower door portions did feel less impressive, even when comparing it to my golf R. Someone mentioned previously no window seal on driver side? Well there was a seal so perhaps that particular car was faulty?
There is plenty of room inside, no doubt about that. I am, however, annoyed there is no Dynaudio premium sound available but NZ gets it?! Wtf lol. Dealer said that they stopped doing it from now...even in Passat. Who knows if he is right at this stage.
9) When the car was travelling at a higher speed (+70km-h) I noticed that it is not as responsive to further acceleration. Once again this is comparing to my Golf R, but, I feel that the 162tsi will do much better, which is why I'm interested in that model (ie highline)
10) Overall I enjoyed my brief test drive but will require another longer one. The car definitely drives better than the Honda CRV and Nissan qashquai. Handling wise it's close to the Mazda CX5. Oh, I did manage to do a u-turn and car turned well around under two lanes width. Also, I have test driven the Subaru forester and this car ticked all the boxes for me but did not get it due to the annoying CVT transmission. So in terms of area view, the VW was just as good as the Subaru.
So now I'm deciding between the CX5 GT and VW Highline. I definitely want the DAP and towbar (which from talking to several dealers will cost about $1500-1800).
- CX5 with SafetyPack+Towbar ~50k Drive away
- VW CLine with DAP+LuxPack+Towbar+MPaint ~55k drive away
- VW HLine with DAP+Towbar+MPaint ~57k
Either way the VW costs more so I will try to get at least 10% off when haggling and if I can't then looks like CX5 it is lol.
Let us know how others have gone with their test drive and best price.
Cheers
I've been following these discussion threads closely ever since the new Tig popped on my radar - well basically need to upgrade to a more family orientated vehicle as I currently drive (well my wife most of the time lol) a Golf R MK6 (MY13).
So I finally got to test drive one of these (132tsi with DA package). It was a short test drive because dealer was closing in 45min and previous customers took longer than anticipated - my wife still needs to test drive it so hoping once these go officially on sale (roughly 24th Sep) we can take one overnight...Anyways, for my opinion and a lenghty input as such...
1) I felt at home when setting up my position/mirrors etc. Perhaps that was because the instrument layout is familiar to me. It looks like VW follow similar layout between their various cars - which IMO is a good thing.
2) Ride comfort was great overall even though the seats (fabric) were not as bucket as in my Golf R - which I enjoy. The seats did feel bit stiffer in the buttocks - perhaps less cushion depth. But, the leather seats do feel even more comfy than fabric. Regarding R-line seats. Dealer mentioned they will/should be similar to the new Passat CC, so I will definitely keep this add-on on my radar.
2) Steering was fluid and responsive, although feedback was not as pronounced as in my Golf R. Perhaps because it's electric and not hydrolic. Either way, it was easy to turn the car and overall the steering wheel felt nice to hold in any position.
3) Suspension, well much more comfy than my sporty Golf R lol! The car swallowed minor pot holes with ease and overall it felt much more comfy to drive in.
4) Cabin noise was exceptionally minimal even at 100km/h on a stretch of highway test. This is one of the things that needs to tick my box.
5) This brings me to engine noise and capability. IMO there was no significant engine noise when accelerating somewhat gently in suburban streets/roads. However, I could definitely hear the engine when pushing it hard from stop or low speed. It is not as loud as in the Honda or Nissan - IMO the Mazda CX5 was bit better. Maybe because it's a 2.5 litre vs 2.0 turbo. What did put me off bit was when I was at the traffics lights for 3-4min and the engine revs when to zero (something like the istop in the mazda, to conserve fuel) and as the engine turned off I put on the accelerator and there was a very distinct delay in the car moving off.
6) Transmission. Hmmmm not entirely impressed with the DSG. Definitely felt some turbo lag when starting up the car from zero km/h - maybe that's because I have been driving my Golf R for so long so I know that feeling of turbo boost delay lol, plus were talking about an SUV here so the car weight is much higher. Also, with take off under heavier foot acceleration the car at times felt like it was slipping or the clutch would not engage the gear smoothly - I felt that thump. Overall when accelerating "normally" the DSG was smooth.
7) Interior looked great but the plastic on the lower door portions did feel less impressive, even when comparing it to my golf R. Someone mentioned previously no window seal on driver side? Well there was a seal so perhaps that particular car was faulty?

9) When the car was travelling at a higher speed (+70km-h) I noticed that it is not as responsive to further acceleration. Once again this is comparing to my Golf R, but, I feel that the 162tsi will do much better, which is why I'm interested in that model (ie highline)
10) Overall I enjoyed my brief test drive but will require another longer one. The car definitely drives better than the Honda CRV and Nissan qashquai. Handling wise it's close to the Mazda CX5. Oh, I did manage to do a u-turn and car turned well around under two lanes width. Also, I have test driven the Subaru forester and this car ticked all the boxes for me but did not get it due to the annoying CVT transmission. So in terms of area view, the VW was just as good as the Subaru.
So now I'm deciding between the CX5 GT and VW Highline. I definitely want the DAP and towbar (which from talking to several dealers will cost about $1500-1800).
- CX5 with SafetyPack+Towbar ~50k Drive away
- VW CLine with DAP+LuxPack+Towbar+MPaint ~55k drive away
- VW HLine with DAP+Towbar+MPaint ~57k
Either way the VW costs more so I will try to get at least 10% off when haggling and if I can't then looks like CX5 it is lol.
Let us know how others have gone with their test drive and best price.
Cheers
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