Now I know some of you will say "Why did you do another 'STUD or DUD'," but the reason is clear, folks. When Volkswagen unveiled its all-new Jetta stateside, it was universally panned for having a mish-mosh interior; however, its sales were stronger than ever.
And here's the funny thing: It's interior really wasn't so great -- at least relatively to the previous generation Jetta.
It's navigation unit became smaller -- yet faster -- and the trim pieces on the interior were a mix of upscale and something you'd find in an older General Motors product. There were some really hideous, hard plastics scattered about the cabin; however, it did get three things "right": The steering wheel, shifter and e-brake. The "touch" points of the interior.
Looking at the 2013 Volkswagen Golf's photos, I can't tell from the pictures if this interior is the real deal or a real let down. Much like the Jetta it has a similar upper dash and it looks swell but if its that same hard plastic, that will be a problem. The good news is that VW incorporated a large navigation unit and the "touch" points look solid.
But there's one exception that has to be considered about all the above -- what we're seeing is the European-spec model and Volkswagen of America (VWoA) is NOTORIOUS for skimping on what gets delivered here in the U.S.
An excerpt from Volkswagen's press release follows:Improved interior
The new Golf is more spacious, with a passenger compartment that is 0.6 inches longer than before, giving 0.6 inches more rear kneeroom. Shoulder room is improved by 1.2 inches in both the back and front of the car. Cargo capacity has also been enhanced, while the load area is more accessible.
A key feature of the interior is a new infotainment system, which incorporates a five-inch touchscreen, even on entry-level European models. At the top end, the Golf features a navigation system which has a large, eight-inch touchscreen.2013 Volkswagen Golf Photo Gallery
