For Even the cheapest models look pretty well equipped with air-conditioning, electric front windows and the full safety kit. The engine is quiet and very light on fuel consumption.

Against The engine is very flat at the bottom of the rev range, so it’s not very flexible. S trim misses desirable kit, such as alloys, electric rear windows and the smarter interior that you get on the dearer models.

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

The lean fuel consumption is tempting, but it’s not the most flexible engine. Stick with the 1.4 TSI 122.

Reader review rating

4.111111
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Key facts

0–60mph
11.3 secs
Top speed
117 mph
Average mpg
62.8
Tank range
760 miles
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Features

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Size

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

Tamer Mehanna

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

HARRY DRENNAN

5 out of 5 stars

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

Patchy San

4 out of 5 stars
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