by Claire Edwards

Created on: November 02, 2009

At first glance it may be difficult to tell the difference between this new Golf and its predecessor. It's the same size car as before so there's no extra legroom or space in the boot, but then this was always ample in the previous model. This is being billed as the new mk6 Golf, when in fact it would be fair to call it the Mk5.5 as its largely a facelift, with a few tweaks to refinement and more high tech equipment. The facelift has given the Golf much sharper looks with similar features from the Scirocco coupe. Inside too, the Golf benefits from an upgraded dashboard and new soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. As we've come to expect from VW too, the build quality is superb.

Volkswagen has also gone to exceptional measures to improve the Golf's soundproofing. Its all thanks to a new additional layer in the windscreen and ultra-aerodynamic wing mirrors which ensures the mk6 Golf is quieter than ever. The level of refinement is such that the Golf feels like a much larger car and certainly deserves a place towards the premium end of its class.

To drive, the Golf feels composed and solid on the road. Bumps are handled with very little drama and the car's handling is competent the chassis has remained largely unchanged from the previous mk5 Golf.

There is a decent range of engines on offer from the entry-level 1.4-litre 4 cylinder petrol unit, up to the 2.0-litre TDI 140. The real peach is the 1.4 TSI petrol engine both turbo and supercharged available in 122 and 160bhp variants. In either guise it feels responsive and brisk from the off; the lower powered version offers only slightly less performance than the TDI 140 and both 1.4 TSI engines will return an impressive 45mpg - not bad for petrol power.

The only - small - downside to buying the Golf is that with this extra refinement and quality comes a pricetag, and certainly if you're looking for mid-spec equipment levels and one of the higher powered TSI or TDI engines that price can become pretty steep. That said, running costs should be decent; CO2 is less than 150g/km on most models (bar the 1.6-litre petrol) and most engines return average to good fuel consumption.

The Golf is the class leader for quality and refinement and although other brands have edged ever closer, Volkswagen appears to have moved the goalposts once again. The mk6 Golf might not be the most dynamic car in its class to drive, but its ability to rack up mileage whilst providing the sort of comfort and refinement of a much more expensive car, makes it a keen choice for buyers looking for a family hatchback.

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