Bluemotion 1.4 TSI 122 SE Estate

Brilliant car slightly spoilt by design faults

Don't get me wrong, this is a great estate car, which drives extremely well and is 'hush-puppy' quite at all times, even when you're heavy with your right foot in Sport mode! It's very comfortable, with a well-laid out dashboard and the back seats provide ample room for two fully-grown adults; three will fit but let's face it, the tunnel makes it uncomfortable for the one in the middle, so best stick to two!

Petrol consumption is pretty good and consistent (but please don't expect to get anywhere near what VW tell you the car will achieve - you won't.)

It holds a certain presence on the road and provides a worthwhile reflection in shop windows. Mines in Night Blue with the lighter coloured interior. A cracking combination as it just makes the interior lighter and easier on the eye than the standard black.

The boot space is cavernous for a car of this size and the two-level flooring makes loading of heavy and taller items a delight.

And now for the 'not-so-good', it's quite clear that there may well have been some cost cutting here and there, particularly with regard to the lower part of the dashboard. It's hard and creaks when you lean your left knee against when driving. Picky? Maybe but they could have softened it slightly. It creaks, too! And talking of creaks, yes, the reports you may have read about knocks, rattles and rumbles at low speeds from the rear suspension are true. Which is slightly annoying on two counts. Firstly, it mares an otherwise great car and, secondly, it just shouldn't be there on such a newly designed car. And I think that's where cost cutting may be at fault. VW are aware of the problem (although my main dealer appears not to be!!!) and there is, apparently, a fix on the way. Come on VW, get it sorted!

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