CarAdvice – Light Hatchback Comparison Polo, Clio, Rio, Fiesta

[Mountainman]

We are talking about cars from this century. Of course a Mk1 Golf would be no where near the same as a Mk5 Polo, they're both produced in very different times.

What I was really getting at is that VW learnt a lot from the quality problems of the Mk1 Golf to go on and produce the most refined small cars available anywhere near the price. But back in 1977 when I bought my first Golf it was noisier, less refined and of poorer build quality than the Honda Civic that it replaced. And how I envied my friend with his new Honda Accord - until it started to rust away lol

[Barracuda]

What I was really getting at is that VW learnt a lot from the quality problems of the Mk1 Golf to go on and produce the most refined small cars available anywhere near the price. But back in 1977 when I bought my first Golf it was noisier, less refined and of poorer build quality than the Honda Civic that it replaced. And how I envied my friend with his new Honda Accord - until it started to rust away lol

That's fair enough. I wasn't alive back then, so I'll have to take your word for that! Haha. But when it comes to VW's made these days, I still believe that my point stands.

[Diesel_vert]

Volkswagen has always been notorious for producing quality-feeling and refined small cars. It's what they're best at, in my opinion.

Indeed, the Mk4 Golf (1998-2004) was highly praised for its interior - so much so that the motoring press felt the interior of the Mk5 Golf was a slight step backwards. Volkswagen's significant focus on perceived quality (i.e. how the product or material engages the human senses, like sight & feel, when it is looked or touched upon) is certainly a good advantage to have in the showroom.

However, it is important to distinguish between perceived quality and mechanical quality, and not to assume that the two will always be analogous in terms of engineering depth.

When it comes down to it, VW are really no better or worse than the average European manufacturer in terms of mechanical quality IMO, and like most manufacturers, they've made their fair share of great cars and not so great cars. Even now, there are some cars in their range that I would readily recommend to family and friends, while others I would advise to avoid like the plague.

[alexaescht]

avoid like the plague.

Such as?

[Diesel_vert]

Such as?

Mk6 Golf with the 118TSI engine and 7-speed DSG springs to mind.

Other cars don't have such a fatal flaw, but have some issues that can add up and destroy the ownership experience, e.g. Polo GTI.

[Barracuda]

Indeed, the Mk4 Golf (1998-2004) was highly praised for its interior - so much so that the motoring press felt the interior of the Mk5 Golf was a slight step backwards. Volkswagen's significant focus on perceived quality (i.e. how the product or material engages the human senses, like sight & feel, when it is looked or touched upon) is certainly a good advantage to have in the showroom.

However, it is important to distinguish between perceived quality and mechanical quality, and not to assume that the two will always be analogous in terms of engineering depth.

When it comes down to it, VW are really no better or worse than the average European manufacturer in terms of mechanical quality IMO, and like most manufacturers, they've made their fair share of great cars and not so great cars. Even now, there are some cars in their range that I would readily recommend to family and friends, while others I would advise to avoid like the plague.

Sure, I completely agree. At the end of the day, no manufacturer is perfect. My point is that when you compare the quality of a Volkswagen to a similar-priced competitors car, the difference in the interior quality, ergonomics, drive refinement and overall build quality (consistent panel gaps, solid door shut 'thunk', etc.) are night and day. I'm not saying that all Volkswagen's are at the top of their class, and I'm not talking about mechanics (that's a whole new can of worms), but there's no denying that Volkswagen is 'ahead of the pack' when it comes to the aforementioned aspects of quality.