Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 – ride and handling
While a little on the soft side in its standard forms, the Golf performs well on UK roads, with reasonable dynamics and NVH
Ride and handling is as you’d expect from a standard Volkswagen Golf. Dynamics are adequate rather than outstanding. The entry-level eTSI models are comfortable on most roads, but a slow spring rate and chunky sidewall (in certain specifications) does allow for more body roll than we’d like for a more spirited drive. While nothing to complain about on well paved roads, tougher tarmac can uncover a slightly unsophisticated secondary ride, with lateral movements taking longer to settle than we’d like.
Opt for the R-line with lower profile 225-section tyres and you regain some composure, though a slow spring rate remains, with body control lacking – this also makes steering inputs feel less direct than they would otherwise, with some of that initial input translating to roll as opposed to direction change. Learn to work with the weight transfer and you can carry some good speed on a more challenging B-road, but the Mk8.5 Golf is hardly brimming with feedback for a thrilling drive in any of its standard forms.
The steering has virtually no feedback, as you’d expect from any ordinary car in 2024, but the Golf does have more off-centre resistance than most of its rivals, giving you a greater sense of connection with the front wheels. Steering heft and response are best in the R-Line, but you’ll need to move up the ranks further to the GTI and R for more satisfying steering.
Likely a byproduct of the blend of regenerative braking and friction brakes, eTSI models have unusual brake feel in our experience, with a spongey, resistant feel – we also felt a ‘step’ in the pedal on a few occasions, which adds a dent to the Golf’s solid overall feel. While short, pedal feel is more linear and natural in 150 trim and even better in the R-line, with more than enough stopping power available for most scenarios.
