Driving
In isolation, the most powerful Golf is tempting. Its 246bhp 3.2-litre V6 has a meaty engine note, smooth acceleration and snappy response; with a crackerjack exhaust rasp, it’s a pleasure to use. Trouble is, we’re not sure it’s worth the extra over the standard GTI. It simply isn’t that much quicker than its 197bhp brother, which is a significant 200kg lighter. The GTI has better in-gear pace, and is only a few tenths of a second slower in the 0-60mph sprint, despite the R32’s advantage of four-wheel-drive traction. However, the most expensive Golf is a pleasure to drive. It has a very composed ride, low noise levels and is very relaxing over long distances. But smooth roads, while flattering, don’t show the Golf in the best light – it’s only on rougher tarmac that the Volkswagen really excels. It glides over broken surfaces effortlessly and feels sure-footed. Even more impressively, despite the big engine up front, the VW loves to change direction. It attacks bends with vigour, and the 4WD system ensures superb traction. It doesn’t quite have lightning steering responses or all-encompassing mechanical involvement, but it oozes confidence and is great fun to drive.

Marketplace
Volkswagen has given the R32 a distinctive set of clothes. The chrome grille, centrally mounted exhausts, deeper bumpers and 20-spoke alloys with blue brake callipers mean this is the boldest MkV Golf yet – though we think it’s not quite as elegant as the GTI. The flagship Golf comes in three- or five-door guise, with either a six-speed manual or optional DSG gearbox. With its V6 engine and refined, upmarket driving experience, it resides deep in BMW territory; its most obvious rival is the 130i, though both Subaru and Mitsubishi also offer four-wheel-drive rivals in the form of the Impreza and Evo IX respectively. In-house competition comes from the Audi S3, though this lacks a V6 engine. You also shouldn’t overlook the standard Golf GTI, either; it’s almost as quick, equally good to drive and a lot cheaper.

Owning
The Golf’s interior knocks every one of its rivals for six. None uses the same expensive materials or has such a sensible, clear and user-friendly layout. Sporting touches, such as the turned aluminium dashboard trim, VW Racing logos and translucent blue instrument needles, are tastefully executed, and thanks to the distant windscreen, there’s a sense of space. Attention has been lavished on the driver too, who enjoys a comfortable, supportive seating position and a tactile steering wheel. The Golf’s cabin really is close to faultless, and this makes it a great place to spend time. There’s good space in the rear too – the only downside is the boot. Due to the transmission supplying drive to the rear wheels, the boot floor has been raised, reducing the normal 350-litre volume by 75 litres. The V6 engine is thirsty when driven hard too, while insurance is a steep group 18. 10,000-mile service intervals are shorter than regular Golfs, though the retained value of over 50 per cent is higher than even the excellent Golf GTI’s!