For With the best blend of performance, price and economy, this is our favourite Golf engine. Even the cheapest models look pretty well equipped with air-conditioning, electric front windows, and the full safety kit.

Against For higher-mileage drivers, a more economical diesel model may make more long-term financial sense. Plus, S trim misses some desirable kit, such as alloys, electric rear windows and a smarter interior.

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

This is certainly the best engine in the Golf range, but we think a model with five doors and Match trim is the better buy.

Reader review rating

4.111111
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Key facts

0–60mph
9.5 secs
Top speed
124 mph
Average mpg
45.6
Tank range
552 miles
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Features

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Size

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View the whole Volkswagen Golf Hatchback range

Cheaper

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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, it would be a Golf.

Yes, it couldn't look more conservative if it wore a blue rosette, but buyers still love it. 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, and because the Golf’s residual values are so strong, you’ll get plenty of money back at resale time.

We’d avoid the smallest petrol engine because it’s a bit weak, but all the rest make a strong case for themselves. Our favourite is the 1.4TSI petrol, which is our reigning Small Family Car of the Year,. The Bluemotion model, meanwhile, is our Green Small Family Car of the Year.

Reader test team says:

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Bought the BlueMotion on Match spec from my local…

Peter Lawley

4 out of 5 stars

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MY '11 bought late '10. Fantastic car let down by…

Tamer Mehanna

5 out of 5 stars

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This is my second 1.4 TSI MK6, the previous car…

HARRY DRENNAN

5 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 1.4 80 Twist 5dr

After having my VW Polo for 5 years I made the…

Patchy San

4 out of 5 stars
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