Review - New 2015 TDI - Feels Low on Power, Cheaper Interior

[gmcjetpilot]

I drove the new Golf, 4-Door TDI, SEL with DSG... This was my takeaway:

1) 2015 TDI feels down on low end torque. Specs show it has 10HP more and
same torque as pervious TDI, but it just felt weaker... Sorry, not being
a troll, my honest opinion. I had the salesman in the other seat, a young guy
who just started selling cars, texting while I drove... He knew nothing
of the product, cars in general it seemed. I drive my 2010 JSW DSG TDI
solo, but I doubt his weight in Pax seat made a difference. It just seemed
more like a gas engine, higher revving, less low end grunt acceleration,
which is what sold me on TDI's to start with. I have to say it really was
obvious and disappointing. It just did not pull like a diesel...

2) The interior seems cheaper, harder plastic, steering wheel seems harder.
It has a more spacious feel, but instrument cluster seems more Toyota than VW.

3) New Engine, trouble free? It remains to be seen if new engine will be free of
some serious costly potential failures of CJAA (2009-2014) TDI engine has. Actually
the original failures themselves were not that costly, it was the collateral damage it
could do to downstream components. I know the new engine integrated the exhaust
manifold (one piece) with head, verses bolt on cast iron manifold.

4) Styling not that different but nice. Sharper corners, more angular. I do like the
slightly more rounded softer look for the 2010-2014, but the 2015 is a nice evo
Gen design. I really liked the previous pre 2010 Jetta grill/nose with chrome, but
my 2010's more mono-chromatic angular look grew on me...

 

[tuan209]

I think I have to agree with you.

My lease on the Golf R is coming to an end, and I was thinking about getting into another diesel until I sat in one.

The newer Golfs definitely look better in person, but I prefer the design from 2010-2014.

What really disappointed me most is the new interior, lots of shiny and glossy plastic. The 2010-2014 Golfs looked and felt more premium to me.

 

[fxk]

It'd be interesting to see hp and torque curves. Sooner or later someone will have dyno runs to be published.
frank

 

[No More Buffalo]

I think the interior is a mixed bag overall, but for me at least the Mk7 comes out a bit ahead.

As mentioned, some of the materials aren't as nice, but mostly stuff you don't actually touch as often.

Steering wheel feels the same.

Leatherette is a very nice upgrade over the old cloth.

I do miss the red accent lighting, the white certainly feels a bit more "generic".

The MFD is noticeably higher-res in the newer car, which is nice, and it seems to update a bit faster as well.

A small thing, but they fixed the headrests in the Mk7! I always had the issue in my 6 where the head rest would just notch up and up until it hit the top of travel. The Mk7 needs the (much easier to press) button pushed in for travel in either direction, so now it stays in place.

Power drivers seat and automatic climate control are big wins for the 7.

 

[ezshift5]

.......like the OP, I drive a TDI JSW.

From fit/finish, design and appearance (fuel numbers are a no-brainer), reliability (mine is still breaking in) and fun to drive......................this sailor has ab-so-lutely 0 complaints.

(I even have no problem with the dealers (4) near our state capital.

Am I a complacent fool? Far be it for me to say (but I would never rave about my previous Toyota Solara - even though no repairs needed in just under 100,000 miles).

ez

 

[ZippyNH]

One thing I have noticed with a 2015 Jetta TDI....
The full power of the motor will not be available till the car is warmed up....
When I drive the first few miles, it does not pull quite as hard up a hill I have noticed if I am pushing it hard....but after a good long drive, it will MOVE up the same hill faster...
So I am thinking you discovered that the ecu is a bit more advanced in the newer car...and limits power till it is warm...not sure it is documented, but FEELS that way pulling into traffic...
I did find a remaining 2014 value edition, and my 2015....the 2015 is faster, revs faster, and is less diesel "like".... But seems like a better motor.....less of a " quick fix" bolt on emissions this "should work" design, and more of a fulley enginered solution emissions wise......and HOPEFULLY less troublesome....
The fact the newer car is quieter MIGHT have made it seem slower....refinement has a way of doing that....

 

[forhumans]

1) 2015 TDI feels down on low end torque. Specs show it has 10HP more and same torque as pervious TDI, but it just felt weaker... Sorry, not being a troll, my honest opinion. I have to say it really was obvious and disappointing. It just did not pull like a diesel...

2) The interior seems cheaper, harder plastic, steering wheel seems harder.
It has a more spacious feel, but instrument cluster seems more Toyota than VW.

I completely agree with #1, I think this is what happens when VW puts emissions and fuel economy ahead of performance. I am hoping for a tune to fix this.

#2, I do not like the piano black gloss trim, but I think this is VW's best interior yet. The gauges and ambient lighting feels luxury, and outdoes any Audi I've been in recently. Never owned a Mk6 so I can't compare.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Funny, I thought the same thing about power when I test drove a 2015 Passat this week. I figured maybe it was because I'm used to GTI performance, but maybe not. I did not think my 13 Passat was as slow as the 15 felt.

 

[No More Buffalo]

It's hard for me to really compare power, as my Mk6 was a DSG and so innately a much better machine for fast pulls.

 

[D15SEL]

One thing I have noticed with a 2015 Jetta TDI....
The full power of the motor will not be available till the car is warmed up....
When I drive the first few miles, it does not pull quite as hard up a hill I have noticed if I am pushing it hard....but after a good long drive, it will MOVE up the same hill faster...
So I am thinking you discovered that the ecu is a bit more advanced in the newer car...and limits power till it is warm...not sure it is documented, but FEELS that way pulling into traffic...

The fact the newer car is quieter MIGHT have made it seem slower....refinement has a way of doing that....

I don't know if this is what is happening or what in this thread is actually true.
But I do know this: we have both a 2013 Beetle TDI and a 2013 Passat TDI in our family. Both owners notice my Golf's "extra HP" every time they drive it. I notice it as well, but what I really notice and ENJOY is how much a tighter car mine is than there's. I think the fit/finish/solidness of the new platform is outstanding.
And when Malone presents us with a tune I won't be reading many more of these posts.

 

[TurnOne]

Mine hauls ass for a car that has averaged over 47 mpg for 20,000 miles.

 

[andyrooski17]

Mine hauls ass for a car that has averaged over 47 mpg for 20,000 miles.

+1. having driven both Mk6 and mk7, I think the broader torque band does give a different character to the engine, but I can't say I ever thought the mk7 felt more or less powerful.

Re. Interior: I'm surprised to hear the opinions here. I drove with a friend in his '13 golf, and I couldn't help but think my interior is way nicer. The red accent lighting seem really out of date.

 

[obababoy]

We love our 2015 Golf TDI DSG SEL. The accent lighting with the SEL is great, seats are great and bolster you well. I am not a huge fan of the piano black finish but I dont mind too much. The HU is definitely out of date but it performs all of the functions well. We have the Fender system and it blows my mind! Sounds so good!

As for power you definitely need to make sure the engine is warmed up all the way. We notice that it dogs in the cold especially before it warms up.

Our only complaint on the Golf is the small fuel tank! It is like 10 gallons. 500 miles is pretty much the total limit which is better than most gassers but still, going 650-700 in our 2006 tdi jetta was very nice!

 

[skramer]

Re. Interior: I'm surprised to hear the opinions here. I drove with a friend in his '13 golf, and I couldn't help but think my interior is way nicer. The red accent lighting seem really out of date.

80s bimmer and Pontiac style!

I find the interior nicer than my Audi A3, and that was leaps and bounds above the JSW/Golf

 

[AlexNJ]

We love our 2015 Golf TDI DSG SEL. (...) Our only complaint on the Golf is the small fuel tank! It is like 10 gallons. 500 miles is pretty much the total limit which is better than most gassers but still, going 650-700 in our 2006 tdi jetta was very nice!

I agree with all of what you wrote. First, as regards the interior as well as the exterior styling, my friends who have asked about how much I paid tell me they expected it would have cost more because it just looks and feels like a more luxury car, at least in my SEL. As for power, where I really notice what this car has to give is in passing at highways speeds or in climbing hills. A good firm pedal and the thing just gets going. My only gripe has been with the fuel capacity but, now that the weather is warming up and my MPG is better, the range is still excellent compared to a gas-powered car.

 

[WiszMaster]

You know what they say, one mans review is another man's toilette paper!

 

[WiszMaster]

Mine hauls ass for a car that has averaged over 47 mpg for 20,000 miles.

I'm at 42 mpg over 21,000 miles, however Southish Florida, AC and headlights on at all times, and mostly city driving.
IMO this is a very nice car, especially the S for being a base model. Our '12 Passat SE has the small radio, and more plastic, cloth etc...
I just had 2 different '15 Jetta's, a Enterprise S model, and a dealers loaner SE model, both were cloth, small radio, no color screen, no cruise control etc... way cheaper looking and feeling. Oh well, can't please them all.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

The MK6 Jetta Sportwagen had the pla-leather, which was better than Golf fabric, at least for upscale looks and feel..... I am glad to hear the owners of the new 2015 Golf are happy. I'll have to test drive again warmed up.

As far as performance we shall see... some of the web sites and magazines can comment on it down the road, do some test. I'd like to see the rpm torque hp curves.... http://myquartermile.com/ might post some numbers or http://www.zeroto60times.com/


2010 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI Turbo Diesel Car
0-60 mph 7.9 | Quarter mile 16.0

2010 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI Turbo Diesel 6Spd Car
0-60 mph 8.8 | Quarter mile 16.6

2009 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI Turbo Diesel Car
0-60 mph 8.4 | Quarter mile 16.4

There are not numbers for 2015 but estimates are sub 8 second for 0-60. One online test drive noted it revved more less like a diesel with redline at 5,000 rpm.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

Mine hauls ass for a car that has averaged over 47 mpg for 20,000 miles.

Do some 0-60 times and 1/4 miles....please

47 mpg how? 47 mpg for one tank on a trip or average all time for 20,000 miles? If you are getting this MPG you are doing all freeway

 

[TurnOne]

Do some 0-60 times and 1/4 miles....please

47 mpg how? 47 mpg for one tank on a trip or average all time for 20,000 miles? If you are getting this MPG you are doing all freeway

Please click the fuelly link in my signature. It's for the entire time I've owned the car and I live in South Western Ohio. Not flat around here. I do drive a lot of interstates. That includes a lot of winter and cold weather. It will be climbing above the 47 average now that the weather has warmed up. Easily getting above 50 and yes I do use the AC every time I'm hot. Generally if the outside temp above 73-75 and sunny.

This is with the SEL with 18" wheels.
My mileage would be higher if I drove on non interstate highways.

I don't have a great way to measure 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.
I own other faster vehicles. BRZ and Ducati 1199 race bike with 180RWHP and 380 lbs with a gallon of gas in the tank.

My point is that this car has a lot of power for such good fuel economy.

 

[Thunderstruck]

http://myquartermile.com/ might post some numbers

thanks, never saw that site before. The 0-60 and quarter mile times were about the same for my 1979 diesel Rabbit when I checked-22 seconds. It was sufficient for my needs though.

 

[andyrooski17]

Do some 0-60 times and 1/4 miles....please

Not that I particularly care about 0-60 times and 1/4 mile, but...

Car and Driver has 0-60 times for both the DSG (7.8 seconds) and MT (8.3 seconds).

And 1/4 mile times, 16.1 seconds @ 87 mph for the DSG, and 16.6 seconds @ 84 mph for the manual.

VW-published Torque and HP curves can be found in the self-study guides. I know I posted screenshots comparing Mk6 and Mk7 here..

 

[andyman7931]

I can second TurnOne's 47mpg. My lifetime mpg is at 46.4 over 18606 miles. I drive with a heavy foot and frequently am pushing 80+ on the highway. Since the weather warmed up I am averaging over 50 mpg per tank if it's mostly highway.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

Please click the fuelly link in my signature. It's for the entire time I've owned the car and I live in South Western Ohio. Not flat around here. I do drive a lot of interstates. That includes a lot of winter and cold weather. It will be climbing above the 47 average now that the weather has warmed up. Easily getting above 50 and yes I do use the AC every time I'm hot. Generally if the outside temp above 73-75 and sunny.

This is with the SEL with 18" wheels. My mileage would be higher if I drove on non interstate highways.

I don't have a great way to measure 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

I own other faster vehicles. BRZ and Ducati 1199 race bike with 180RWHP and 380 lbs with a gallon of gas in the tank.

My point is that this car has a lot of power for such good fuel economy.

Sorry I missed your signature. Yep 18" cost mileage over 16 and 17 rims. I don't get you saying it would be higher if you drove non interstate highways. You mean if you drove slower? Anyway if you are getting 47 mph average that is great. My last tank I got 42.5 on my mix drive commute of about 24 miles round trip. I was thrilled with that. My best has been 51 MPG (2010 DSG JSW) on a trip, all freeway... It sounds like the new engine is as good or better.

As far as 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, my point is making some quantities measurement, verses "hauls ass " .... From the other post it appears it is not slower than the previous TDI. If you can buy or (borrow) a SCANGAUGE II, there is a performance feature. It will take 0-60 and 1/4 mile speeds and time measurements. It will launch when you take off.... record for later view....

It sounds like the new TDI engine has as good or better power and efficency.... but it does seem to rev higher to do it, just from my short drive, with a 5,000 rpm redline.

Wow fast bikes. I have a bike as well, not that fast, because the rider (me) is slow.... currently BMW R1150RT... it will cruise at 80 mph all day with out breathing hard... drove the tail of the dragon last year... US 129. This is a sample from one of the outfits that takes pics you can buy later if you like.....

 

[gmcjetpilot]

Not that I particularly care about 0-60 times and 1/4 mile, but...

Car and Driver has 0-60 times for both the DSG (7.8 seconds) and MT (8.3 seconds).

And 1/4 mile times, 16.1 seconds @ 87 mph for the DSG, and 16.6 seconds @ 84 mph for the manual.

VW-published Torque and HP curves can be found in the self-study guides. I know I posted screenshots comparing Mk6 and Mk7 here..

THANKS.... that is what I was looking for... so it looks like the new engine has a tad more power (150 vs. 140) and is as efficent as ever. However it did feel more "Rev-ee" to me, whhich is what I felt... Curves are hard to translate to real driving, but the new engine seems to have a wider torque plateau about 500 RPM... They both seem to run out of steam by 4000.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

You know what they say, one mans review is another man's toilette paper!

Your post is toliet paper... ha ha. I don't mean to upset anyone.... the new Golf is nice. There are noticeable differences in the interior, external style and of course the engine, with some different feel, in my opinion. That is all.

 

[TurnOne]

Off topic

Off topic:
This is my fast bike:

This is me at the gap on a few different items. I always make the KillBoy highlights when I go down that way.



Aprilia is 125cc 2 stroke. Only get 35 mpg on premium and expensive two stroke oil.
Scooter is 153cc honda. 75-95 mpg unless wide open then 55 mpg.

 

[No More Buffalo]

Dragon on a bike in shorts and flipflops?

 

[TurnOne]

Dragon on a bike in shorts and flipflops?

Teva sandals but point taken.
I wouldn't have had a helmet on if it were legal in TN and NC. But that's not the way it goes.
Gear only helps when you crash.
Interestingly, my last street crash was in 1988 on a honda 150 scooter.
My last track crash was Saturday. I still race minis and super motos on kart tracks. It's awesome fun. Cheap and much lower risk it but not zero.

 

[VW_TDi_]

The interior is nice on the MK7 compared to the other generations. Yeah It may be a little slow, but Malone has a tune on it's way and I'm sure that will wake it up This new engine with the dsg feels quicker then my old ALH with nozzles.