Volkswagen Golf diesel 2004 review

Also, Australian diesel fuel has been of poor quality so the possibility of engine problems down the track did not engender confidence.

Times have changed – and along with them, improvements in fuel quality and great leaps forward in diesel engine technology. So companies are bringing diesels back to Australia – and Australians are slowly responding.

Among the first is Volkswagen with this week's test car, the 1.9 litre turbo diesel. There is also a two-litre turbo diesel offered in this bigger and more stylish fifth generation Golf line-up.

Explore the 2004 Volkswagen Golf range

• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review: road test
• Volkswagen Golf V 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf diesel 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review: snapshot

Golf considers itself a premium small car so it is not the cheapest in its sector but it is only one of few offering diesel engines and the price brings with it Volkswagen's acclaimed quality and a comprehensive equipment list.

This latest Golf has a more stylish look than the previous model, reasonable boot space and more head and legroom for rear seat passengers than before.

Included in the price is climate control aircondition- ing, 60/40 split folding rear seats and power operations. Safety features include front and curtain airbags as well as traction control and anti-lock braking system with brake assist and electronic brake pressure distribution. There is also a feature that leaves the headlamps on for a set time to illuminate the walkway after dark.

Pricing for the 1.9 litre TDi starts at $27,990 for the Trendline or there is an upper-specked Comfortline for $29,990. From a value-for-money perspective, Comfortline's extra $2000 is worth it, adding such features as cruise control, alloy wheels, leather-wrap steering wheel with audio controls, leather gear stick knob, rain sensor wipers, velour seats and trip computer.

Front seats get height adjustment with the driver also getting lumbar adjustment.

The four-cylinder 1.9-litre turbo diesel is not the most sophisticated diesel on the market but it does the job. Power develops to 77kW at 4000 rpm, which is not sparkling but more importantly, torque (pulling power) peaks at a handy 250Nmm at a low 1900rpm and has the car pulling strongly away from a standing start without having `plant' the right foot.

In fact, revving the engine hard to get performance is a waste of fuel and energy. It will pull away nicely even if you are moving slowly and need to overtake, will continue pulling up hills in low gears and will travel comfortably around town in fifth gear.

Engine clatter, that much despised characteristic of older diesels is audible in this 1.9 litre but not overwhelmingly so and disappears as the engine warms up. The old problems with turbo lag, the time needed for the small compressor to speed up and boost power after the driver touches the accelerator pedal, is relegated to the past.

Mated to the engine is a highly efficient and smooth changing six speed manual gearbox. There is the option ($2300) of Volkswagen's six-speed DSG automatic tiptronic-styled transmission that has the next gear already pre-selected before being engaged so that the change is even smoother and quicker.

Despite the price of diesel being so high in this country, the car is economical at the bowser. We were getting a miserly 6.3L/100km in a mix of freeway and suburban driving from the 55-litre fuel tank.

One of the reasons for the popularity of diesel engines in Europe where about half new car sales are diesels, is the low price of fuel which is government subsidised or not taxed as highly as it is here.

Volkswagen says the two-litre diesel (81kW and 320Nm) mated to the manual gearbox gets 5.7L/100km, which again, is great going for an engine of its size.

Driving around town is a comfortable and easy affair in the Golf. Although it is slightly bigger than the previous model and a little heavier, it remains nimble and agile and if you are in the mood, is happy to take you on a sporty drive in the country.