Auto gearbox can be slow switching from drive to reverse.
Typical VW - slightly 'dull', but fantastically reliable. Being basically the same as a Golf MkIII, it has more weight over the rear axle, which actually makes it handle better. But with a tiny engine, in a straight line it isn't very fast.
What you said about the switching from drive to automatic was slow, is because that's a way of protection and that's perfectly normal.
When you stop you are supposed to wait like a second and then switch to reverse, but not immediatly.
The same thing is for manual gearboxes, you stop, wait a little and the gear reverse. Maybe you have noticed than if reverse is geared quick it makes some sounds.
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