Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £11,945 to £20,460
Interior appearance and quality, good crash protection, image, diesel's economy, strong residual values.
Quality varies, less appealing for keen drivers, new model now available, mushy pedals, slightly claustrophobic interior.
A bit long in the tooth but still a desirable and reasonable choice.
The Golf has competitive insurance premiums, servicing costs and - with the diesels in particular - excellent fuel consumption.
It is pretty generous with the important stuff like safety equipment (anti-lock brakes and side airbags are standard, for example), but not quite so fully loaded with fripperies. The base 'E' model doesn't even get electric windows in the front.
Although like-for-like the Golf can seem more expensive than some rivals, it counters this with the lowest depreciation rate in the class, which can save thousands in the long term.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volkswagen Golf
wrote on 20 06 2007
wrote on 14 10 2006
wrote on 06 06 2006