The Golf SV (known as the Golf Sportsvan across the channel) is a successor to the dismal Golf Plus which was introduced back in 2005. Having been through two generations, Volkswagen decided it was time to do something about it. The SV is based on the latest Golf Mk7, which means it sits on the MQB platform. A scalable weight-reducing construction-facilitating setup that means many of the Volkswagen Group's cars are more closely related than we realise, including the brand-new Audi TT and even the latest-generation Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.
The SV is the length of an iPhone 6s Plus longer than the old Golf Plus, and its wheelbase is almost 5cm longer than that of the Golf Mk7. Add to this the fact that it's over 8cm wider and nearly 13cm taller and it becomes obvious that the key feature here is usability.
The Golf SV boasts a 500-litre boot, although this can be extended to 590 litres when you move the rear bench forward by 180mm. Fold down the 60:40 split folding rear seats and you have a loading space that exceeds 1,500 litres.
It's certainly adequately-sized for a family of five, but what about safety? An automatic post-collision braking system is standard across the range and helps prevent the vehicle from being involved in a second collision. Mid-spec SE models and above have seatbelt pre-tensioners, Adaptive Cruise Control, Dynamic Light Assist and a camera-assisted Lane Assist system. It has 7 airbags and 2 ISOFIX fittings in the rear. Bear in mind that the Renault Scénic has 3 ISOFIX fittings as standard, as well as keyless entry and automatic lights and wipers.
Volkswagen does have one trick up its sleeve though, in the form of the BlueMotion trim. Based on entry-level S, its 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine produces an average 108 bhp and 250 Nm, yet VW claims it can average up to 74.3 mpg, emitting 98 g/km of CO2.. What isn't offered is a hybrid, like the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 225xe which can get up to 141.2 mpg from a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol-electric setup. All models from that range come with alloy wheels, front fog lights and rear parking sensors. Another car worth mentioning is the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive, which has a claimed 124-mile range. All B-Classes have a reversing camera as standard. Both of these cars also have four-wheel-drive guises (BMW xDrive and Mercedes 4MATIC) whereas Volkswagen lacks this.
We've talked about what other cars' features are, but what about the VW Golf SV? Well if it's alloy wheels you're looking for, you're going to have to bypass entry-level S and opt for SE. Same goes if you want automatic lights and wipers and a 3.5-inch multifunction computer for the driver, although all models come as standard with air conditioning and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, dubbed the Composition Media system. All but one, the GT. That one has a 6.5-inch Discover Navigation system with 2D and 3D mapping. It's top-of-the-range GT that you have to go for if you want front and rear parking sensors and front fog lights, things that creep up on many entry-level rivals.
Moving on to engines, there are 4 petrol and 3 diesel options, ranging from 1.2-litre to 2.0-litre outputs. Statistics for the lowest of all, the 1.2 TSI petrol, are 84 bhp and 160 Nm. That's with a 5-speed manual and a 0-62 mph time of 13.2s. The high-performance 1.4 TSI petrol is rather impressive though - 148 bhp and 250 Nm, 50 mpg and 8.8s to 62 mph.
Diesel power is Britain's main seller though, and there's a 1.6 TDI or 2.0 TDI on offer, with outputs of 108 bhp and 250 Nm, or 148 bhp and 340 Nm respectively. The 1.6 TDI, whether you buy it as a BlueMotion unit or not, is capable of more than 70 mpg, either being free to tax or falling into the first bracket of £20 a year. If you don't opt for the BlueMotion engines, you're lucky enough that every variant employs BlueMotion Technology, which features stop/start, brake energy recuperation, turbocharging and low rolling resistance tyres.
So to sum up the Golf SV, it's a practical, safe 5-seat family MPV with an enticing range of engines. But it doesn't quite live up to the fight with other German premium brands such as BMW or Mercedes. It struggles, in fact, to compete with some lower-end competition like that of Renault, despite having a starting price of £19,205 (January 2016). I therefore strongly advise you to shop around and do your homework before committing to a Golf SV, unless you're a particular Volkswagen aficionado, in which case, try to seek out a good deal at the end of a quarter, or even better, around Christmas and New Year.
That's not to say that I dislike VW's Golf SV, of course. We all know Volkswagen as an affordable premium brand whose qualities exceed many of its rivals, and whose driving experiences are often very engaging. It's just a shame that there's no real performance engine available for those who want to have a bit of fun whilst the kids are at football, like the BMW 225i xDrive.
Nevertheless, here's the way I would spec a Golf SV with a reasonable budget:
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