Review

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) was one of the  key topics at the recent British Vehicle Rental  and Leasing Association (BVRLA) Fleet  Technology Congress (Fleet News, July 9). 

The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf was hailed as an example of the benefits companies can experience from cars equipped with AEB.

Volkswagen’s AEB system, known as City Emergency Braking, is fitted as standard and can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds of up to 19mph to prevent a collision. Recent insurance data has shown that the third party claims on the Golf VII are 45% lower than other small family cars (including the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Auris, Peugeot 208 and Audi A3).

Although I haven’t experienced the Golf braking, I have triggered the advanced warning, which sees an angry red car appear in the instrument cluster, with a loud high pitched beep. This prompted my passenger to exclaim: “What’s that?” leaving me a little red-faced when I explained it was because it thought I was getting too close to the car in front. It’s certainly made me drive more carefully since. 

More Volkswagen reviews

Specs

Manufacturer Volkswagen
Model Golf
Specification Volkswagen Transporter T32 LWB Diesel 2.0 TDI 150 Startline Kombi Van 4MOTION
Model Year 2020.00
Annual VED (Road tax) £1005
BIK List Price £39,780
CO2 184g/km
BIK Percentage 20%
Insurance Group N/A
CC 1,968
Fuel Type Diesel
Vehicle Type Crew van
Luggage capacity (Seats up) N/A

Running Costs

40.4 MPG (NEDC Correlated)
184g/km CO2
£1005 VED
P11D £39,780
Cost per mile 59.69ppm
Residual value £15,575
Insurance group N/A
Fuel Type Diesel
Cost per mile 59.69ppm
Fuel 15.56ppm
Depreciation 40.43ppm
Service maintenance and repair 3.70ppm

Info at a glance

  • P11D Price
    £39,780
  • MPG
    40.4 (NEDC Correlated)
  • CO2 Emissions
    184g/km
  • BIK %
    20%
  • Running cost
    3 Year 60k : 59.69 4 Year 80k : £11,900
  • Fuel Type
    Diesel