Its actually really hard to pin down what VW do wrong sometimes and the logic of it.
My Golf is the latest one mid spec with a 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid with the DSG, and it is a really good car.
9 months into ownership and it does pretty much everything well.
Classy, quiet, fuel efficient, refined, great long distance comfort, hi-tec.
the only thing I can pull it up on so far is the infotainment which when working is impressive, but honestly, the number of times I have to reboot the 'king system, its not funny anymore. thats just to get stuff to work. however, curiously it is starting to become more reliable in this regard, so perhaps its taking some over the air updates, I dont know. also, im learning its foibles.
These are a completely avoidable set of issues, VW just needed to test the infotainment better and iron out the bugs, When its fully functional - its very impressive. the Golf also has some silly things like unlit temperature and volume touch keys, which are effectively then useless in the dark. you can speak to the car however, to make whatever change you want to these settings, so all is not lost. just seems a bit daft. overall though a 4.5 out of 5 for me on 9 months ownership. total reliability from drivetrain perspective. feels like it will last well.
I take delivery of the Crosstar this week, so am hoping for great things, and none of this type of problem. Golf averages 49.8 mpg in mixed driving over 5800 miles, and im sure the Crosstar will easily beat that.
the acid test for the Crosstar will be the long distance economy and comfort - the Golf is a tough act to follow on a long trip.