For Inside and out, the GTD looks as sporty as the GTI. It has strong performance and it’s a great car to drive, yet it’s cheaper to buy and run than the GTI.

Against Not as fast or as fun as a GTI, and it looks a bit expensive compared to other Golf models. The 1.4 TSI makes more sense.

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

Great if you want GTI looks for less cash, but it doesn’t have the pace or sharpness that the GTI gives you. Either go for the 'proper' GTI or stick with a standard Golf with a 1.4 TSI engine.

Reader review rating

4.111111
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Key facts

0–60mph
8.1 secs
Top speed
138 mph
Average mpg
55.4
Tank range
670 miles
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Features

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Size

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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.

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