Is the Volkswagen Golf Mk V a big improvement over the Mk IV?

My wife has a 2002 silver Mk IV Volkswagen Golf GTi 150 in good order. It has 39,000 miles on the clock. It has never done better than 35mpg. We are now considering a bright red Mk V GT or GTI Golf. I'd be interested in your observations, please?

Asked on 13 July 2013 by TJ, Romsey

Answered by Honest John

35mpg is standard for a Mk V GTI 150T or 180T. The Leon 20v 180 was the same. That's what I got out of mine 12 years ago. The Mk V was much improved over the Mk IV, but quite a lot of faults have been reported that you should look out for, Mk 5: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-v-20...d and Mk 4: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-iv-1...d

Tags: model changes fuel economy reliability

Similar questions

Do you know of any problems with the Alfa Romeo 159?

I have decided to buy a used Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDm. I have read your review of the 159 and you list a number of faults that affect the 1.9 JTDm, but nothing on the 2.4. Now that this car has been around...

Should I pick the Honda Civic 2.2 iCDTI or the 1.8 iVTEC?

I've been reading up about the Civic 2.2iCTDI on your website. It looks good, but the 1.8 iVTEC also looks good. I'm just wondering which one's going to end up costing the most to run with circa 20,000...

What do you think about the new generation of diesel engines which use reduced compression ratio to improve fuel consumption?

There is an article in a recent ‘Economist’ magazine on a new generation of diesel engines. These apparently achieve better fuel consumption by reducing the compression ratios, enabling lighter faster...

Related models

Volkswagen Golf (2004 - 2008)

Decent handling and comfortable on the move, impressive TSI engines, massive improvement over the previous Golf, high-economy Bluemotion models, high quality feel of interior, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.