Next-generation Volkwagen Golf Spy Photos
Last time we saw the next-gen Volkswagen Golf in testing, it was covered in camouflage, but otherwise looking pretty much ready for primetime. Now we have photos of two 2020 Golfs frolicking completely uncovered, offering a look at what we can expect to be nearly identical to what ends up on the showroom floor. Overall, the car has a lower, wider look, giving it a slightly more sporty demeanor. The view from the front offers the most dramatic changes. The lighting is completely different, with the top of the lighting flush with the horizontal gap of the hood. On the green car, that line extends past the corner of the hood onto the body panel, but on the black Golf, this gap is covered by what appears to be a piece of tape. Also on the green car, there is black on the hood and body panel above the lights 鈥?which we assume are decals to try to hide the lighting's true shape. A little lower on the fascia, we see slight tweaks to the shape of the fog lights, too. In the rear, we again see new lighting, a different general shape of the rear end. The rear window looks smaller relative to the rest of the car, and the lighting takes on a completely new look as well. Take a look at the rear hatch, tracing the lines of the opening. They zig inward as they cross the lights, then zag horizontally outward before turning back in and hugging the edges of the rear window. It's sort of an odd shape. The 2020 Golf will be built using a version of Volkswagen's MQB architecture. We're certain VW will take the opportunity to upgrade the tech throughout the Golf in this next generation. Seeing how far along these testers look, we can expect a debut at Frankfurt this September, if not sooner.
This isn鈥檛 by any means a necessity, but it鈥檚 still a nice feature to have. But it鈥檚 the interior space that makes it. This is the roomiest car of the three - not by much over the Vauxhall (there鈥檚 a bit more head and legroom) and by the same again compared with the Toyota. Skoda finished closest to the top of our manufacturers鈥?table in Driver Power 2019, taking fifth place. It backs up this reputation for reliability with safety; the Superb comes with Skoda鈥檚 Front Assist autonomous braking system as standard. Blind spot warning is also included, while you can upgrade with a 拢495 pack that also adds lane-keep assist. Seven airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating mean it matches its rivals here for protection, so all three models will be solid family transport. Skoda鈥檚 拢342 two-year servicing pack offers fairly good value, because the Vauxhall will cost 拢408 for two check-ups.
Prices for the Camry haven鈥檛 been announced yet. Given all three cars get a similar level of safety kit, insurance costs are fairly close as well, but it鈥檒l be the Skoda that鈥檚 cheapest for our example driver to cover, at 拢463 per year. The Vauxhall will only cost 拢5 more, while the Toyota comes in at 拢644 for a year鈥檚 cover. As with the Skoda, the Vauxhall is better with a diesel engine and in a lower trim, but the same ride and handling balance, plus mix of performance, practicality and affordability sees it just take the win here. Efficiency is okay, while the level of kit on offer is competitive, but the Grand Sport is at its best with either the less powerful 1.5 petrol or a diesel model that many drivers covering high mileages will benefit from. The Camry just pips the Superb because it offers very low company car tax costs, which many people buying in this class will prioritise.
The new platform means the Toyota also rides well, while it鈥檚 refined, comes very well equipped and should be affordable to run. However, it鈥檚 incredibly dull and the technology on offer is poor. The Camry is back on merit, but a diesel Skoda Superb is still a better bet. This 1.5 TSI isn鈥檛 the sweet spot of the Superb range because the car makes much more sense as a diesel, where it offers stronger performance and economy for not much more cash. We鈥檇 go for a manual, too, because the DSG box isn鈥檛 the best. Yet there is absolutely no faulting the Skoda鈥檚 quality, technology, practicality or ability. We hope the upcoming facelift addresses the petrol鈥檚 powertrain problems. A new, bigger 13kWh battery pack for the updated Passat GTE plug-in means an all-electric range of 35 miles, while power stays the same. Expect lower CO2 emissions than the Camry and great running costs.
The top performing variant in the Polo model range is a thoroughly sporty and safe car. Among the systems responsible for this is the GTI sport chassis including ESP and the XDS electronic transverse differential lock. It ensures that the Volkswagen Polo GTI's power is cleanly transferred to the road, even in tight serpentine curves. The running gear is based on the fundamental layout of a McPherson front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension combined with exceptionally dynamic tuning. New, stiffer dampers are linked to specially modified springs that lower the ride height by 15 millimetres compared to "Normal versions". The effect: lower angles of body roll and a lower centre of gravity. Both have positive effects vehicle dynamics through curves. Serving the same purpose are the low-profile tyres (215/40 R17 87V) on alloy wheels in GTI-typical 5-hole "Denver" styling (7Jx17), whose look the new top Polo shares with the Volkswagen Golf GTI. When it comes to safety, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is fully equipped right from the factory, e.g. with generously dimensioned brakes and the standard ESP stabilisation programme.
