The VW Golf, safe and economical, is ideal for a school run in Hong Kong, and there are variants galore. A new 123-horsepower model has a starting price of HK$212,980; you could go green with an e-Golf (HK$369,980); or consider a Volkswagen Hong Kong-maintained option from the marque’s used-car shop, Das WeltAuto.
Buying second-hand for school runs makes sense; its a passing phase so there’s arguably no point in spending on luxury. A white 2014 Golf Team Leather hatchback edition was recently advertised online with just 500km on the clock for HK$199,980, with Bi-Xenon headlights and Bluetooth connectivity. It could be everything you need.
Hong Kong’s roads are busier, parking is becoming increasingly competitive and petrol is still expensive, so the Golf’s 1.4-litre engine, seven-speed DSG gearbox and paddle shifts would do just fine for the jaunt to school, and then on to the office.
You might prefer a second-hand GTi, which it’s possible to get for under HK$300,000, or a 1.2-litre Polo for about HK$160,000. Whatever you choose, Golfs are generally reliable, have five-star crash-test safety ratings, and Volkswagen seems on “Extra Nice Assist” after last year’s emissions scandal.
The Smart ForTwo is a fine car for single parents. The three-cylinder, one-litre car’s 2.69m length enables drivers to turn in a 6.95-metre circle and squeeze into tight parking spots. The saloons are bright and the convertible versions literally open a child’s eyes to the potentially unforgettable sights and smells of Hong Kong on their way to school.