What does it cost?
For The VW Golf is refined and comfortable, but remains fun to drive. The cabin is classy and practical, the residual values are strong, and every car has lots of safety kit.
Against The most basic engines in the range don’t have a lot of power, and the styling is conservative, inside and out.
What Car? says
The Volkswagen Golf is better than ever. Desirable, refined and great to drive, it's one of the best all-rounders, and deservedly our 2012 Small Family Car of the Year.
What Car? readers say
4.135135
There are 37 Volkswagen Golf versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
The Volkswagen 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:
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2.0 TDI 110 S 5dr
I have owned a 1.4tsi petrol for 2 years, and am VERY satisfied. Get past the utilitarian looks, and it lives up to its name as the best small family…
4
out of 5 stars
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2.0 TDI 170 GTD 5dr
This is the 3rd Golf I have taken ownership of. I previously had a GTI Mk V so I knew I would be taking a hit on power but the enhanced frugality of…
5
out of 5 stars
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2.0 TSI 210 GTI 5dr
I bought the Golf GTI new in August 2011, added a load of spec which should have been standard, inc, xenon, parking sensors, better hifi, bluetooth,…
4
out of 5 stars
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 1.4 TSI 160 GT 5dr
I have had the Golf for nearly months and covered about 1300 miles. My previous car was 1.4 Audi and I have to say that the MK6 Golf has far superior…
4
out of 5 stars
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Our pick of the range
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr
The best engine, the right spec and the most practical body style, all in one package. Little wonder, then, that the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Match is our favourite - and our 2012 Small Family Car of the Year.
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