VW Golf – The Car You Will Ever Need

VW Golf might not be the most exciting car in its class, it is the nicest to sit in. VW has raised the quality bar so high that the Mk7 Golf not only feels more upmarket than its main rivals, it can also shame models from the class above. It has generous levels of equipment too. The entry-level version gets a 5.8-inch touchscreen with DAB radio, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, but the sweet spot in the range is our mid-spec SE.

It adds luxuries such as auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and comfort seats which are so good. VW have even won an award for being back-friendly. In addition to the usual array of airbags and safety systems, the SE gets VW’s City Emergency Braking system, which can prevent accidents at low speeds. Comfort is another area where the Golf excels.

Even on the standard suspension it has the ride quality of a limousine, gliding over bumps in the road as if they’re not there. It’s also very quiet, at everyday speeds, you can literally hear a pin drop. The Golf’s 2.0-litre diesel is so smooth as well as punchy. In fact, you could easily assume it’s a petrol turbo engine. There’s no mistaking the 2.0-litre TDI’s efficiency, though: VW claims it can return 68.9mpg.