Golf/Passat comparison

This is the full thread over on the Golf forum - https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=68203 - But here's my view on the comparison from a Passat owners perspective:

Economy - The Golf is way more economical (surprisingly) than the Passat - On the first tank with mixed driving came to about 52.5 mpg. The Passat was dipping to 48mpg. That's with mixed rural/motorway driving.

Ride/Comfort - The Golf is comfortable, but the Passat is a nicer, softer, easier cruiser. The Golf's ride is, surprisingly, better even on GT suspension and on 18s. The Passat, however, was a nicer place to be (but that's the leather for you).

Performance - I drove the Passat and the Golf yesterday and the Passat felt so much quicker. In fact, I think it really was. Not sure if it's the Golf needs to be run in first, but the Passat pulled from 1800 up to 3-3500 whereas the Golf doesn't do anything until 2500 which isn't all that much fun when I just want to plant my foot and go. We'll see how that goes I suppose.

I will be very honest and say that if the Passat had been a company car, there's no way I'd've got rid of it. It pained me to sell it, it really did, and I had to detach myself emotionally from the car to part with it - but costs were looking at picking up and, as was pointed out to me during the guy's test drive, the bearings sounded worn as there was a constant drone that didn't use to be there, but I've ignored for a while.

Am I happy? Mostly yes - Would I have another Passat? In a heartbeat.

Just read the post on the link - interesting - I'm guessing that most of your negatives are tied to the fact that the Golf is a smaller car, so are unavoidable.

Not sure what the weight difference is between a Golf and a Passat, but that would go some way to explaining the better fuel consumption - and the Golf probably has a smaller frontal area (Cd, or something similar, describing the drag coefficient - very popular with car makers in the '80s as a selling point. Some even fitted narrower tyres to get a good figure).

I'm sure you'll enjoy it more when it frees off....

The engines probably just needs loosening up a but James, then after a few thousand miles hopefully it goes like the Passat then :p

Very good report....I was driving my Dad's new MK6 140GT last week and found it nice to drive - more 'sporty' than the Passat. I'm sure you will love your GT!