Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf 1.2 S

Is entry-level hatch as good as higher-spec cars?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,261 off RRP*
Find your Volkswagen Golf
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This Golf could be absolutely perfect. For town drivers who want a car that feels nice to drive but don’t need expensive frills, it makes a lot of sense. The problem is that for the same money, you can have a SEAT Leon SC with not only more power, but also more high-end interior touches, alloy wheels and even cruise control.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Volkswagen Golf doesn’t get any cheaper than this £16,495 three-door 1.2 S model. But should you consider the entry-level car?

Given its status in the range, you might expect the S to look a bit more basic. The no-cost Tornado Red paintwork helps make the most of the clean, premium design and draws attention away from the fact that this car is missing stylish extras like tinted windows, alloy wheels and foglights.

Volkswagen news and reviews

Volkswagen Golf in-depth review

Power comes from the VW Group’s tried and tested 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, but while this produces 104bhp in the base SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia, here it delivers only 84bhp. You can have it with 104bhp, but it’ll cost an extra £1,010 – and if you do most of your driving around town, you can probably do without it.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

61,153 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,800
View Golf
Golf

2019 Volkswagen

Golf

31,784 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £15,700
View Golf
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

42,346 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,500
View Golf
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

11,527 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £18,000
View Golf

That’s because this engine offers the same kind of low-speed punch of acceleration in first and second gears as the more powerful version. But put your foot down at higher speeds, and you accelerate so slowly that you may find yourself checking the speedo to ensure you really are going faster.

If you’re on a motorway, it’s better to have the punch of the 104bhp TSI, as well as the extra gear ratio its six-speed manual box provides. Yet running costs won’t influence you, as the two models return identical 57.6mpg economy and sit in the same road tax band.

From behind the wheel, the cheapest Golf feels like any other. It’s comfortable and refined, and has the same tight, if slightly uninspiring, handling. The interior isn’t quite as special, though. The plastic steering wheel is plain and doesn’t feature any controls – this stands out when most Golfs have leather-wrapped steering wheels. Thankfully, there are a few gadgets to compensate, like DAB radio, Bluetooth and air-con.

It looks like great value – and it is if you want a Golf – but there are better options out there. The Leon SC can be bought with the more powerful 104bhp 1.2 TSI engine for £5 less in SE trim, which includes cruise control, a leather steering wheel, foglights and 16-inch alloys.

A Golf with the same engine and equipment will cost you more than £18,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £12,800
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £1,724 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025