Used Car of the Year 2012 - Small family cars

Winner Small family car
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Match 5dr
Age 2010/60
Dealer price £12,870
Private price £12,495

The Volkswagen Golf is another car that can claim multiple What Car? accolades. Now three years have passed since the Mk6 model first hit the roads, the latest-shape Golf is starting to look fantastic value for money as a used buy.

The fact is, no other small family car matches the Golf for fun and comfort. It’s incredibly composed on twisty roads, thanks to lots of grip, tight body control and well-weighted steering. It’s also effortlessly compliant when driving around town, even on poorer surfaces.

Volkswagen’ 103bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine is powerful enough to cope on the motorway, yet is still capable of more than 60mpg while emitting just 119g/km of CO2 for a £30 annual road tax bill.

There’s more good news in the cabin, which is classy and practical, with enough room for four adults to sit comfortably over long distances.

Match trim, which was introduced in 2010 in place of SE, is the best bet. It’s packed with kit such as cruise control, electric front and rear windows, an upgraded DAB stereo, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic headlights and wipers as standard.

The Golf had to fight off a strong challenge from the Ford Focus this year, which drives brilliantly and has the space and practicality to match its German rival. However, the Golf’s superior build quality and better residual values mean it’s worth investing the extra; you’ll certainly appreciate your choice of car when you come to sell it.

Runners-up

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