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VW Golf VI Plus is the sequel to one of the strangest cars made by VW in recent times. Is it a drastic improvement? Is it just a facelift worthy of a late-night talk show host where sunflower seeds are being eaten and neurons are being killed? We’ll never know.

You’d think the VW Golf VI Plus is built on the Golf VI platform. And you’d be wrong because the VW Golf VI Plus is still built on the old Golf V platform, only it’s been given a radical facelift. Because the Golf VI itself is just a Golf V facelift.

So what’s new with the VW Golf VI Plus?

The VW Golf VI Plus continues the line of comfort brought by the first Golf Plus. It’s just as comfortable as before but comes with even more technology. Moreover, the VW Golf VI Plus was one of the first VW cars to come with Park Assist. Basically, the car searches for a suitable parking space and parks itself, an ideal option for those who don’t have much of a skill with a steering wheel or don’t want to bother with parking.

Next, it’s taken the boot space and put it on the roof and the VW Golf VI Plus is essentially the same car, just a little better and a little newer. If you want a low-mileage Golf V Plus, the driving experience is pretty much the same between both generations. On the “if it ain’t broke, don’t change it” premise, because the VW Golf VI Plus continues a recipe that I don’t understand, but many people love. It appeals to exactly those people who also appreciate the B Class, but don’t seem to want to spend that kind of money and just want something comfortable around town. A long way can’t be said for a car where only two Playboy magazines, a tube of Vaseline, and a rope fit in the boot. All that’s missing to complete the recipe is an open mind.

VW Golf VI Plus Engines

Petrol

• 1.2 TSI of 105 horsepower – I talked more about this engine in the Golf VII article. Essentially, timing chain models eat oil and chains, so get a timing belt type of engine.


• 1.4 MPI “Tear the Tarmac” of 80 horsepower – Same old entry-level engine, which offers enough power for two people cruising around town, but that’s about it. You don’t want to take it out for the long haul.


• 1.4 TSI of 122-horsepower  – Watch out for the first engines to have chain drive. The chain jumps like Neversea attendees when they hear Jump Around. The belt-driven version on the other hand is an absolutely decent engine.


• 1.4 TSI of 160 horsepower  – Same 1.4 TSI but with both supercharging and turbocharging. Basically twice the trouble. 1.4 TwinCharger, one of the worst modern engines in VW history.


• 1.6 MPI of 102 horsepower – End of the road for this antique launched in 1485 with the Skoda Octavia I. An engine that occasionally eats oil and coils packs, but overall by far the most reliable engine in the VW Golf VI Plus. Not powerful, not economical, just reliable.

Diesel

• 1.6 TDI of 90 and 105 horsepower – This engine was intended to be the follow-up to the legendary 1.9 TDI in the Golf IV. It just didn’t make it. A decent engine for the long haul, but in town it breaks down every 100 yards. Serious issues with EGR, injectors, and particulate filter. If you want to drive around town a lot, avoid this engine.


• 2.0 TDI of 110, 140, and 170 horsepower – Same standard 2.0 TDI found in the VW Golf VI Plus found in almost every other VW. As for reliability, the dual mass flywheel and particle filter are still worth noting, which wears out faster than you’d like. Bonus points on this 2.0 TDI for the dubious quality diesel that contaminates the whole system with soot, from tank to common rail. So don’t be cheap and fill up at the gas station, not at the truck.

VW Golf VI Plus General Issues

• The diesel engines on the VW Golf VI Plus are part of the “Dieselgate” generation, both 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI. It’s important to test them beforehand because many people complain that they have increased consumption and decreased performance. Basically, they’re like 30 years old humans.


• Still the DSG gearbox is a softer spot than a pair of underpants after you’ve had 5 beers and 2 melons. Oil changes every 60,000 miles and weekly prayers that the mechatronic doesn’t fail. The mechatronic is the box computer and it’s only changed, not reconditioned. You don’t want to know how much a Mecatronic costs.

VW Golf VI Plus Verdict

Nothing new or fancy under the sun. The Golf VI Plus remains a reliable and comfortable car. Yes, I still don’t understand this car, but I understand its comfort. It’s not quite a B Class in terms of trim, but it’s certainly a pleasant experience. And if you go with a manual transmission, you’ve basically got half the hassle out of it. And because it’s not a regular Golf VI, the Golf VI Plus costs less, even though it’s a more comfortable but less practical car. 

Which engine do you recommend? For the kind of guy who only drives around town, the 102-horsepower 1.6 MPI remains a reliable antique. However, if you’re afraid of Euro 4 standards, then the belt-driven 1.4 TSI drive remains the best choice. As for the diesel, I recommend the 110-horsepower 2.0 TDI. It’s the most anemic 2 litre but also the most reliable. It’s not like you need a lot of power in a Golf Plus, especially in corners.