Baby Porsche

Sometimes you hear people say, “The Volkswagen Golf is similar to a Porsche” or that “The Golf is like a baby Porsche.” I’ve even written on this blog that the ride of our “Golf 7 (1.2-liter turbo engine, 7-speed DSG) feels very much like a Porsche,” so I’d like to revisit that topic here.

In fact, I truly think the Golf’s driving feel is very similar to a Porsche’s. Maybe it’s more accurate to say the “quality” is similar.

To use a meat analogy (not that I’m a meat expert or anything, haha), Porsche feels like “high-quality lean meat with very little fat.” On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz S63 I recently drove felt like “premium marbled meat” that melts with rich fat the moment you bite into it.

メルセデス・ベンツAMG S63 4MATIC クーペ （C217）を所有してみた感想

I think the Golf is also lean meat, just like Porsche. Of course, Porsche and Volkswagen are worlds apart in price, so it’s not exactly the same, but the feeling is that “while the grade of meat differs, it’s still high-quality lean meat.”

Hmm… I’m not sure if my analogy really clarifies things or just confuses me more… (*_*)

Similarities Between Porsche and Golf

So far, I’ve driven the new Cayenne, 970 & 971 Panamera, 981 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and 911 (991, 964). Comparing among these, I feel that the Golf’s driving feel is especially close to the Panamera.

That said, the Golf might also feel close to the Macan, but unfortunately, I’ve never driven a Macan (I’ve only ridden in the back seat)…

Also, the new Cayenne has a very high driving position, and its “ride smoothness was by far the best I’ve ever experienced,” so after test-driving the Cayenne, honestly, the Golf felt a bit overshadowed.

The 981 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and 911 are true “sports cars,” so I think they feel a bit different from the Golf (maybe the GTI version would be closer). Based on my current impressions, I’d say “the Golf is closest to the Panamera among Porsches.” So, here are some specific points where I find similarities.

Firmness of the Suspension

I described Porsche and Golf as lean meat earlier, but I think the Golf’s ride is on the firmer side. It has a strong sense of contact with the road, and it absorbs bumps and shocks not softly but with a solid, confident feel. Of course, the Panamera feels much more substantial and grounded, but the Golf is like a lighter version of that.

That said, it’s never “too firm to be uncomfortable.” The ride is actually very smooth. In terms of “firm suspension but smooth ride,” I think the Golf and Panamera are quite alike.

Steering Feel

I like the Golf’s steering wheel. Personally, I’m not a fan of the thick, soft steering wheel on the S63… I definitely prefer a firmer, more tactile feel like a Porsche’s. Regarding the Golf’s steering, its fit and quality remind me of the Panamera.

That said, Porsche steering wheels have a more upright angle (how to describe this properly?), and the Panamera’s wheel is thicker and feels more premium than the Golf’s, but in terms of making you feel “ready to drive seriously!” they’re similar.

High-Speed Stability

What surprises me most every time I drive the Golf is its “high-speed stability.” Even at 100 km/h or more, it feels rock-solid and stable. Changing lanes at that speed is completely steady and worry-free. I even feel like the faster you go, the more stable the car becomes. I think this stability rivals that of the Panamera. (Maybe it’s different at even higher speeds.)

Our Golf costs about one-seventh of a Panamera Turbo, yet every time I drive on the highway, I’m amazed at how much performance and technology they’ve packed into it.

Body Rigidity

I think the Golf’s body rigidity is very high. I haven’t driven it in extreme G-force situations or anything like that, but compared to Japanese cars in the same class, the Golf’s rigidity is far superior.

You can feel that the car is solidly built, which gives you confidence on the road. I believe Porsche also has very rigid bodies, so in this respect too, Porsche and Golf feel quite similar.

Sparkling Clean After a Hand Wash

Our Golf had gotten so dirty (not just the body, but inside too — kids’ snacks everywhere, sand and dirt on the floor mats, it was a mess) that I decided to try a hand wash for the first time. I went to a nearby gas station and requested a full service: body wash, waxing, and vacuuming the interior, which took about an hour.

The Golf looked as shiny as new.

They asked me, “Would you like a coating?” but since the car inspection is coming up this summer, I said I’d think about it and left. But I guess getting a coating would be worth it to keep this beautiful shine.

So, in conclusion, the Golf really does resemble a Porsche. That’s the quality you expect from a German car. Recently, our Panamera finally passed 20,000 km (I may have been driving it a bit too much), so for now, the car I drive most often is the Golf, and I’m reminded that I want to take good care of it going forward.