For Even the cheapest models in the Golf range look pretty well equipped, with air conditioning, electric front windows and the full safety kit.

Against With less than 80bhp, the engine gives pretty pedestrian performance. Plus, S trim misses out on some desirable kit, such as alloy wheels, electric rear windows and a smarter interior.

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

Simply being the cheapest Golf gives this model some appeal, but we think it's worth paying more for a five-door model with a stronger engine.

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Key facts

0–60mph
13.9 secs
Top speed
107 mph
Average mpg
44.1
Tank range
534 miles
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Golf is all the car most families will ever need. There are rivals with more prestigious badges, larger cabins, punchier engines or lower prices, but if we had to pick one model to cope with everything a family is likely to ask of a car for the next, say, three years, it would be a Golf.

Yes, the styling couldn't be more conservative if it wore a blue rosette, but buyers still love it. The Golf is amazingly well-rounded, too. It’s class-leading in many areas, and there isn’t a thing that it does badly.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t big discounts to be had, though. Haggle hard, and you’ll get four figures off almost any version. Bigger savings can be had online, and because the Golf’s residual values are so strong, you’ll get plenty of money back at resale time.

We’d avoid the smaller petrol and diesel engines, because they’re a little short on grunt. For the best mix of abilities, go for either the 1.4TSI petrol engine, or the 138bhp 2.0TDI diesel.

Reader test team says:

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Geoffrey Charlesworth

1 out of 5 stars
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