Volkswagen Golf

Never has the saying "you don't miss something until it's gone" proven more true than on the Adams' holiday to Barcelona, Spain. The Golf has not one, but two sat-nav systems - VW's own big-screen version, plus the traffic-linked Smartnav - and neither worked in the city of mad traffic schemes, tiny street names and crazy drivers.

My wife is the first to admit maps are a bit of a mystery to her, so wrestling with endless road atlases folded like origami became all too common during our 10-day stay. Thankfully, that was all we had to complain about, as the Golf proved an excellent choice for the 2,500-mile round trip. Load space was a little tight, but we managed to fit three large cases in, with room left for coats.

But it was on the road that the VW really impressed. Despite effortless cruising at well above the UK limit on foreign motorways, and with the air-con being run flat-out in the soaring temperatures, it still returned nearly 40mpg. The smooth DSG auto gave the driver little to do, which was a real advantage when fighting with the map in the Catalan capital. And the six-CD auto-changer hidden under the extendable armrest meant we weren't constantly changing disc.

While charging back through France the ser-vice light came on, so on our return the car was booked into Vindis in Sawston, Cambridge-shire. This was the first scheduled visit, despite OY54 FGE having covered 18,631 miles from new. The work cost £235, but included washing, valeting and a free polishing cloth. We were less impressed that staff forgot to stamp the service book. That wasn't the Golf's first trip to a dealer, though. It had been in a few weeks before our summer break for a new engine map. This cured the stalling when cold and livened up the motor.

Unfortunately, the Golf is going back to VW soon - a shame as it has really grown on me. After initial fears that it would be too small, I realised virtually all my demands were met using roof bars and a box. The taut handling and combination of punchy 2.0-litre turbodiesel and ultra-slick box made me appreciate the compromises you often unwittingly make with a bigger car. More than 20,000 miles in 10 months and no real complaints is the ultimate testimony to a great motor.