Review
The booming popularity of this generation of Golf gives all the proof necessary that Volkswagen has got the ingredients right. It's good to look at, good to drive, well equipped and - following some savage price-cutting - even capable of offering comparable value to segment rivals.
The styling is very Golf-y, clearly evolved from the Mk4 version that it replaced. That means a solid, well filled-out shape, strong detailing and a reasonably handsome front-end treatment. The cabin is similarly impressive: well constructed from classy-feeling materials and with excellent control ergonomics. The driving position is very comfortable and both front and rear seat occupants enjoy plenty of space.
On the road this Golf is a revelation, driving far better than its dynamically inert predecessor did. The well-weighted steering helps the driver to feel like a vital part of the dynamic experience, while the well-damped chassis combines plentiful grip with a nicely judged level of adjustability. Motorway refinement is impressive, too. You'd have to look hard for a better all-rounder.
The underpowered 1.4 litre base engine has now been dropped from the range, with the new entry-level 1.6 litre FSI petrol motor giving crisp performance. Above it are two "twincharger" 1.4 litre engines, using both a supercharger and a turbocharger to extract 140 bhp and 170 bhp respectively. Both give respectable urge and very decent fuel economy. Above them the 2.0 litre turbocharged GTI remains one of the best hot hatches, although the range-topping V6 four-wheel drive "R32" can't deliver enough thrills to justify its very steep pricetag.
Most punters will instead opt for one of the excellent diesel engines. The basic 1.9 TDI gives perfectly respectable performance and excellent fuel economy, but the brisk 138 bhp 2.0 litre TDI is the one to go for if the budget will stretch. Don't bother with the 168 bhp 2.0 litre version - it's too expensive and feels barely faster than the standard model.