There’s no doubt the Volkswagen Golf is still a highly recommendable option in the family car class, thanks in part to its solid blend of ride and handling, and the frugality promised by its petrol engines, especially the mild hybrid 1.5 eTSI 150. But there are cheaper rivals that are more spacious inside and better to drive, such as the Ford Focus and Seat Leon, and premium rivals with better infotainment systems and higher-grade interiors, like the BMW 1 Series.