I went to have a good look round a new FR and SE last night at the dealers (they had a white and a red FR and a red SE). Didn’t drive the car as was an open evening, salesman were not particularly interested in selling cars either
Red FR
Pretty much a standard car with the Winter Pack from what I could tell with the 17” alloys, halogens and the smaller 5” screen.
Exterior
To be honest it didn’t do a great deal for me, the door handles seem to stickout a hell of a long way from the body. The alloys reminded me of some I have seen on A3 S-line in the past – 5 broad spokes, and fairly forgettable.
First thing my g/f said was the mirrors are tiny and she was right, the vision is not great.
Interior
Standard seats were pretty comfortable, and of course the dash is a lot better, large cubby hole in the centre is odd though and pretty big. Heater dials very VW, the Door plastics and switches are of the hard plastic MK2 type, in fact the window switches could have been the same. Steering wheel is smaller and nice to hold, the Cruise Control stalk is an update on the current one in the same place, in some pictures I had seen an additional low stalk, but that must have been non-UK spec. Stalks feel soft to touch and operate. MFD, was monochrome, I imagine due to not having the Technology Pack, similar in look to the F/L Mk2s. Having been in my friends Golf SE recently and noticed his carpeted under-seat cubby I checked on the FR, yes its there but its small and not carpeted lol (although I have never used mine).
Red SE
Had Technology Pack and LEDS.
Exterior
I don’t remember the alloys at all! To be honest difficult to tell apart from the FR with the wheels both being 17”
Interior
This car was also inside, had power but no key so I couldn’t play with all the toys. The bigger screen is smart that’s for sure and seems to have a huge number of options (most unavailable as no key). When I turned the Screen on it said ‘ Low Fuel detected do you wish to navigate to the nearest Fuel Station?’ which I hadn’t seen on a car before.
The Screen has a horizontal sensor running along the bottom that picks up when you move your finger towards it and slightly animates the screen. Seats were ok but nothing special.
White FR
Had 18”, Technology Pack and Alcantara seats.
Exterior
This car was outside locked with the engine, stereo and lights on. Didn’t seem to notice the huge handles so much on this one, not sure why. The optional 18” Alloys looks good (not the titanium ones). As we know the LED lights do look good, especially the rear ones. I must be honest and say the front ones were not that bright at all, the LED DRL looked good but the actual headlight, gave off very little light. The diesel engine was fairly noisy at tickover, but it was running for at least 30mins stationary so that may be why.
Interior
What struck me was the very bright screen, I would imagine it can be dimmed, again it looked pretty smart. The MFD is colour on cars with the Technolgy Pack.
Overall
Reading back what I have written I don’t appear very impressed, but that’s not entirely true (and all reports are it drives great). To me if you want a good looking car stuffed with the latest tech just like a golf, but a little cheaper and better looking, it will be a great choice. If you are thinking of upgrading from your
Cupra,
Cupra R, FR I think you may be slightly disappointed by the looks at least.
Good IMO
Interior is a step up on the MK2 although not as much as I expected
Boot looks same size or nearly as Mk2
LED lights look great from behind and the DRL
Switch gear is soft touch
Poor IMO:
Hasn’t got the wow or the aggressive factor that the Mk2 or Mk1 for that matter had.
Could be any other VAG family car, I really hope the 3dr
Cupra is more in your face.
Some trim very hard plastic still
LED Headlights don’t seem to illuminate that far ahead of car, our
Ibiza was parked next to it and standard Halogens were better!
Price – decent spec yours for £24k
Ps g/f thought it was a nice car….
