Volkswagen Golf

With an excellent drive, roomy interior and a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, the VW Golf is one of the best hatchbacks around. It's improved in every area over the car it replaced, as it can carry four adults in comfort, is enjoyable and comfortable on the road and has most of the equipment you'll ever need. Plus there's an excellent range of engines that mix performance and economy. The best are the 1.4-litre TSI with 140 or 170bhp, or the excellent 2.0-litre TDI diesel, but all of them are more than up to the job. Hot hatch fans are especially well catered for with the 200bhp Golf GTi and 240bhp R32, both of which are covered in separate reviews.

S, FSI, SE, GT, TSI, SPORT, TDI, SDI

Available in four trim levels: S, SE, Sport and GT TDI/GT FSI. All models come with ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, ESP, driver and front passenger front airbags, head airbags for front and rear passengers, three-point rear seatbelts, driver and front passenger's active head restraints, ISOFIX child seating, immobiliser and remote central locking, semi-automatic air conditioning, front electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a CD player, height and reach adjustable steering column and driver's seat height adjustment. SE adds an alarm, rain sensor and automatic dimming rear view mirror, front seats with height and lumbar adjustment, cruise control, a multifunction computer and upgrades to 15-inch alloy wheels. Sport adds the following features to SE; sports suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumper strips and door handles, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob, gaiter and handbrake grip. GT TDI/GT FSI also adds front fog lights, rear electric windows, and an automatic driving light over the Sport model, while 4MOTION versions additionally feature twin exhaust pipes and discreet 4MOTION chrome badges.

2.0 SPORT