Miles Bennett
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 and Mk6 are compact cars and the fifth and sixth generations of the Volkswagen Golf, respectively. The Mk5 was unveiled in December 2004, while the Mk6 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. The Mk6 is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform and is a re-engineered facelift of the Mk5, addressing criticisms of the Mk5's interior quality. The Mk5 offers 4-cylinder, 5-cylinder, and 6-cylinder petrol engines, while the Mk6 offers a range of engine options, including a high-performance variant by HPA Motorsports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine | Mk. VI doesn't use the 1.9L TDI engine; it was replaced with 2.0 TDI |
| Model Year | Production of the Mk. VI began in 2008, but the first model year was 2009 |
| Audio | Mk. VI has fewer speakers and lacks dedicated function buttons |
| Fuel Consumption | Mk. V has a fuel consumption of 6.5L/100k |
| Transmission | Mk. VI is available with 5- and 6-speed manual transmission and 6- or 7-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission options |
| Design | Mk. VI is based on the PQ35 platform from the Mk. V, with a more aerodynamic design |
| Interior | Mk. VI has an overhauled interior to match the quality of the Mk. IV while maintaining the user-friendliness of the Mk. V |
| Reliability | Mk. VI is newer and more refined, with fewer issues to deal with |
| Release Date | Mk. VI was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 |
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What You'll Learn
Volkswagen Golf Mk6 vs Mk5: Audio and Interior
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. The Mk6 is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform, the same platform as the Mk5. The Mk6 is effectively a re-engineered facelift of the Mk5, addressing criticisms of the Mk5's cheapened interior quality.
Interior
The Mk6 has been described as having a superior interior to the Mk5. The Mk6 features upgrades such as leather and interlagos cloth seats. The soft materials in the Mk6 are of better quality, particularly in the top parts of the dash and doors. However, the lower sections of plastic have been described as "cheap". The Mk5, on the other hand, has been praised for its good fabric in the centre console.
The Mk5 Fahrenheit GTI models feature body-coloured interior panels, orange stitching on the DSG boot, steering wheel, park brake handle, and floor mats. The Fahrenheit GTI was also available with Volkswagen's DSG transmission or a 6-speed manual.
Audio
The Mk5 allows you to change between CD-FM-AM on the steering wheel, whereas the Mk6 does not have this feature. This has been described as a drawback of the Mk6, as it forces drivers to take their eyes off the road to change between music and radio. Additionally, the audio control in the Mk6 is on the left side of the steering wheel, which may be less convenient for some drivers. However, the Mk6 does have a dedicated button to adjust the balance, fader, bass, treble, and middle, which is a convenient improvement over the Mk5.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk6: Transmission Options
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is a compact car and the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. The Mk6 is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform and is effectively a reskin of the Mk5 with engineering improvements.
The Mk6 Golf offers various transmission options depending on the market and engine configuration. Here are the transmission options available for the Volkswagen Golf Mk6:
North America
In North America, the Golf Mk6 is offered with the following transmission options:
- The GTI and TDI models come with a six-speed manual transmission.
- The 2.5L engine is available with a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.
Europe
In Europe, the Golf Mk6 is available with the following transmission options:
- A six-speed manual transmission is offered on certain models.
- A six-speed DSG automatic transmission is also available, although it may vary by country and model.
Chile
In Chile, the Golf Mk6 is offered with a choice of two transmissions:
- A five-speed manual transmission.
- A seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Canada
The Canadian version of the Golf Mk6 is offered exclusively as a four-door model with a six-speed manual transmission.
United States
In the United States, the Golf R Mk6 was initially offered without the DSG transmission. However, both two- and four-door versions were available with a slightly detuned engine producing 191 kW (256 hp) and 243 lb⋅ft (329 N⋅m).
Australia
The Australian market received the Golf Mk6, but specific transmission options for this market are not readily available.
It is important to note that transmission options may vary based on the specific model, trim level, and regional market. Additionally, some models may offer both manual and automatic transmission choices.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk5: Engine Options
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 was launched in 2005 as the successor to the VW Golf IV GTI. It was equipped with a 2.0 TFSI engine capable of 200–230 hp. The entry-level petrol model was a 1.4-litre engine with 75 hp, followed by the 1.4 TSI and the 1.6 FSI with 102 hp and 115 hp respectively. The 2.0 FSI with 150 hp was also available.
The Golf Mk5 GT featured a choice of a 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger (TSI) configuration, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, or a 2.0 (FSI) direct injection petrol engine. The TSI petrol and diesel engines were available as 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) versions. The PD diesel engine offered more torque than the range-topping R32, with 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft).
In North America, the base specification Rabbits used a 2.5-litre five-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 150 hp (112 kW) and 170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) in 2006–2007 models. From 2008 onwards, power increased to 170 hp (127 kW) and 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m). Diesel engines were not available on Rabbits, although they were offered on the Jetta until tightening emissions regulations in the US led to their discontinuation.
The Golf Mk5 GTI featured a 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) TFSI engine, contributing to a considerable price increase over the previous model. The Mk5 GTI was named Automobile Magazine's 2007 Automobile of the Year in December 2006.
For the 30th anniversary of the GTI, Volkswagen produced the GTI Edition 30, which went on sale in November 2006. This special edition featured a different forged engine, producing 30 PS (22 kW; 30 bhp) more than the standard 200 PS (150 kW; 200 hp) engine.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk6: Safety
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is a compact car and the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 and is largely based on its predecessor.
Safety
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 has an array of safety features. It scored 36 out of 37 possible points for occupant protection, giving it a five-star rating by the Euro NCAP crash test agency. It was one of the safest vehicles in its class at the time of its release. The safety features include:
- An automatically deploying roll-over bar
- Front airbags
- Side head/thorax airbags
- Knee airbag for the driver
- Standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Park Assist
- Hill Start Assist
- DCC adaptive chassis control
In addition, Volkswagen has also addressed criticisms of the Mk5's cheapened interior quality, with improvements in the Mk6's interior.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk5 vs Mk6: Suspension
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 and Mk6 are two iterations of Volkswagen's best-selling Golf model, which was first introduced in 1974. The Mk5 was released in 2004, followed by the Mk6 in 2008. Both models share many similarities, including their chassis, suspension, electronics, and drivetrain.
While there were no physical changes to the suspension between the Mk5 and Mk6, there were slight differences in spring rates and damper tune. The Mk6 was engineered to shorten the previous model's assembly time, and some have suggested that Volkswagen achieved this by using lower-quality parts, including the front suspension. However, others have argued that the Mk6 has better suspension than the Mk5.
The suspension setup of a Volkswagen Golf plays a crucial role in its handling and performance. The factory suspension is often softer, which can result in poor handling. Upgrading to a performance setup, such as coilovers, can improve handling and give the car a sportier look. Coilovers allow you to adjust the height and damping of your Volkswagen Golf, lowering the centre of gravity and stiffening the chassis for better cornering and control.
Springs are an integral part of the suspension setup, controlling the vehicle's ability to bounce, absorb bumps, and create low body roll when loaded. Higher spring rates require more force to compress the spring, reducing suspension travel. Aftermarket coilovers typically use stiffer springs, improving handling and providing the driver with better road feel.
In summary, while there were no significant changes to the suspension design between the Mk5 and Mk6, suspension plays a critical role in the Volkswagen Golf's performance and handling characteristics. Upgrading the suspension, such as installing coilovers or stiffer springs, can enhance the driving experience and vehicle aesthetics.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mk5 was produced until 2010, whereas the Mk6 was produced from 2008 to 2013 in Europe and from 2009 to 2014 in the US. The Mk6 has a rounded and smooth line from the A-pillar to the front of the hood, whereas the Mk5 has a sharper line. Additionally, the Mk6 uses a 2.0 TDI engine, whereas the Mk5 uses a 1.9L TDI engine.
The Mk5 Golf is known for its R32-style bumper and exhaust setup. It also lacked the modern features of the Mk6, which succeeded it.
Yes, there are online forums and communities dedicated to Volkswagen and Golf enthusiasts that can provide guidance and answer specific questions about your vehicle. Additionally, some websites allow you to enter your license plate number to check if a particular part fits your make and model.
The Mk5 Golf was produced until 2010, with some variation depending on the market. The Mk6 Golf was introduced in 2008 or 2009, depending on the territory, and its first model year was 2009.
