Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI Review: A Lesson in Golfing

What we like:

Renault: Well-damped ride

affordable price tag

well equipped Volkswagen: Strong performance from TSI motor/DSG combination

well executed interior

fuel sipping nature

inexpensive to tax

What we dislike:

Renault: Inefficient and unresponsive gearbox

uninspiring performance

inert steering

too much body roll

slightly cramped interiorVolkswagen: Relatively expensive

gearbox not as smooth as 6-speed DSG unit in the GTI

The Megane's interior is not only more spacious than the previous model's but it has improved leaps and bounds in terms of quality. There are soft surfaces everywhere and none of the hard stuff that is usually associated with French cars. The dash is pleasantly designed and the driving position comfortable enough. The instruments, including the LCD digital speedometer and switchgear all look good even though the climate knobs and stereo are a tad fiddly to operate. The placement of some of the switches isn't exactly perfect though - some switches are placed where you wouldn't expect them to be.

In terms of driver ergonomics, the Golf is certainly much better. The seating position is even more ideal than in the Renault and the switches are placed logically and where you'd expect to find them. The Golf's cabin also possesses Volkswagen's high levels of perceived luxury and build quality that the Renault can't match. Make no mistake, the Renault cabin isn't badly built or made from brittle materials - it's much better than in Renaults of old but the Golf's legendary build is just too good for the Megane to overcome.

Despite being more generously proportioned on the outside, the Megane offers less knee and shoulder room at the rear than the Golf. Both cars offer air-con vents at the rear but the Megane's cabin is certainly poorly packaged considering its larger exterior dimensions than its competitor here.

The Golf 1.2 TSI comes with standard kit like seven airbags, ESP and a five star Euro NCAP rating as part of its safety arsenal. The Megane is no less well equipped than the Golf despite its more affordable price tag. The French car comes with keyless operation with self locking as you walk away from the car with the key card, cruise control, factory stereo and so on. Just like its predecessor, the Megane matches the Golf's Eiuro NCAP five-star occupant safety rating.

At the end of the day, the Golf's price premium over the Megane is pretty much justifiable as it surpasses the latter in all the important areas while being cheaper to fuel and tax in the long run. As a complete and convincing European family hatchback, the Golf 1.2 TSI is certainly unsurpassed if you do not have any budget constraints or have no qualms about paying for itsrelatively premium price tag.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Yang