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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HATCHBACK REVIEW

For The 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.

Car Booth says

5 out of 5 stars

The Golf is better than ever. Desirable, refined and great to drive, it's one of the best all-rounders, and deservedly our 2010 Small Family Car of the Year.

Reader review rating

4.1

The Volkswagen Golf Hatchback full review Read in full

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
All but cheapest versions have lots of go
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant blend of comfort and fun
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Smoother and quieter than most rivals
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Not cheap, but worth every penny
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
As swanky as a hatchback gets
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Most boxes checked
Behind The Wheel
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely nothing to fault
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Plenty of space for passengers
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Match is the way to go

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There are 36 Volkswagen Golf versions available

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 this is our favourite Golf - and our 2010 Small Family Car of the Year.

Car Booth says:5 stars out of 5

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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 for the next, say, three years, 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. Bigger savings can be had online, 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. For the best mix of abilities, go for either the 1.4TSI petrol engine, or the 138bhp 2.0TDI diesel.