Volkswagen Golf GTI (2004-2008) review

Driving
The engine is a gem - flexible, torquey low down, eager and alert. 60mph arrives in under seven seconds - yet long gearing means it can be a refined cruiser too. The chassis proves it's a GTI with a dual personality as well. Superior steering and a characterful edge make this a genuinely brilliant hot hatch, with tight body control and excellent roll-free balance in bends. It handles all that power through the front wheels well, with ESP as a backup should you push beyond its very high limits. Yet the suspension also does a great job of absorbing road scars. That VW has built a car that is as adept as its best rivals, yet has more character, is cause for celebration. All controls have a measured accuracy too and the 2.0-litre engine produces a neat burble at low revs - though it doesn't sound quite as meaty as European models. It's all conducted form a spot-on driving position within a high-quality interior. The steering wheel is a treat to hold and the dials are delightful.

Marketplace
The Golf GTI comes in three-door or five-door guise, with a variety of colour options. We feel the red-outlined honeycomb grille, 17-inch alloys and other styling tweaks work best on bold colours such as red or white. All models feature the same 200bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, mated to either a six-speed manual or 'DSG' semi-auto gearbox with paddle-shifters. The latter is an expensive option but works incredibly well, really suiting the GTI character. There are various trim options inside but we'd stick with the standard, retro-style 'Interlagos' check trim, which blends perfectly with the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and metal pedals. Don't be tempted by the more dramatic-looking 18inch alloys though; they spoil the ride and balance of the standard car.

Owning
The GTI boasts all the basics that make the standard Golf so good - faultless build, roomy interior, big boot and user-friendliness unsurpassed by any rival. List prices seem high but if you treat the Golf as a sporting alternative to an Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series, it makes perfect sense. Equipment levels are good, with climate control and rain sensors standard, and running costs are affordable. What's more, emissions and economy are respectable. Insurance ratings are high but no more so than competitors, while variable service intervals should reward considerate drivers. Levels of depreciation are extremely low as well, making it a very hard car to fault.