Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen knows a thing or two about family cars. The Golf is now in its sixth generation, and the famous hatchback will celebrate its 35th birthday in 2009.

In reality, this Golf is a heavily reworked version of the MkV. Its well proportioned shape and neat details are typically conservative. Parked alongside it rivals appears utterly conventional, but there’s nothing to upset VW traditionalists and the new look is more muscular.

Our favourite model is the GT which gets multi-spoke alloys and sports suspension that lowers the car by 15mm. These give the slightly wider and shorter body a more purposeful look, too.

The understated exterior gives way to one of the most desirable cabins we’ve found in a mainstream family car. From the high- quality materials to its attractive design, it’s first class.

The top GT-spec car includes comfortable sports seats with Alcantara trim, and the driving position is excellent. There is nothing particularly exciting or clever inside, but the sheer quality of the Golf lifts it above the competition – and it’s the only car in this test that could be mistaken for a compact executive on the inside.