Volkswagen Golf MK V (2003) review

Improving on the Golf MkIV was always going to be tricky, but that hasn't stopped VW trying. The MkV builds on the old car's strengths, but adds great new engines and a chassis that finally closes the dynamic gap on the Ford Focus. A brilliant all-round package.

As promotional stunts go, getting a town to change its name to match your car is some trick. Imagine persuading the population of Birmingham to rename their city Freelanderville, or talking Sunderland big-wigs into changing road signs to read Micrashire. Yet that's exactly what's happened in Germany, where road signs welcoming you to Wolfsburg - home of the Golf - currently read Golfsburg.

But can the MkV Golf really live up to the hype? Persuading local councils to change hundreds of road signs is one thing - building a car that will knock its rivals for six is something else...

The early signs are encouraging. We were first in the world to get behind the wheel of the petrol Golf two weeks ago, and were very impressed - now we try the diesel for size. While the new look will still be too conservative for some, it gels well in the metal and - as we've come to expect - is beautifully finished.

And it isn't only the bodywork that's new. The Golf boasts a heavily revised engine line-up, including this 2.0-litre TDI, which is tipped to be a strong seller in the UK, where diesel is the number one choice for company drivers. It generates a healthy 140bhp and 320Nm of torque and, linked to a slick-shifting six-speed box as standard, delivers seamless power from tickover to the red line.

This unit's low and mid-range punch is breathtaking, and it will rival the forthcoming V6 petrol for in-gear flexibility. And unlike high-output versions of its predecessor's 1.9 TDI, power is delivered without surges or flat spots - just an irresistible tidal wave of torque.

Inside the Golf, VW has extended the cabin to give an extra 52mm of rear legroom and 24mm of headroom. The furniture may have a familiar feel to it, but not even a switch or dial has been carried over from the previous car. And while the design may look a little plain, VW's legendary attention to detail is present wherever you care to look.

The central cup-holder has a sculpted aluminium divider that slides out and can be used as bottle-opener, while the air-conditioning switches automatically to recirculating mode whenever you activate the wash/wipe. Why? To prevent you having to breathe in the alcoholic fumes from the washer fluid. Other 'why didn't I think of that' touches include a programmable interior pre-heater and smart windscreen wipers that never park in the same position - reducing the risk of premature wear.

But the real revelation is the chassis. Stung by criticism that the MkIV was dull on the road, VW has sunk millions of Euros into making this car a driver's delight. Developed back-to-back with Ford's Focus - regarded by the firm as the benchmark model in the class for dynamics - the Golf's suspension architecture bears a strong resemblance to the Focus design. That's no bad thing, and as a result of the design change, the Golf is finally entertaining to drive.

The electric power-steering is without doubt the finest system of its kind, with plenty of feedback, crisp turn-in and perfect weighting. Although based on the set-up fitted to the Audi A3, it has stronger self-centring and is virtually impossible to distinguish from a conventional hydraulic steering system.

VW has yet to finalise UK specs and prices, but unless bosses do something daft, it's difficult to see the Golf being anything other than a huge hit with British buyers. Vauxhall and Ford beware. The Golf is back and better than ever...