Volkswagen Golf GT 2.0 TDI

Jul 4 2009 Peter Keenan

A DIESEL engine is normally not the sort of thing to set the pulse racing - but the 2.0-litre oil burner fitted to the latest Volkswagen Golf offers more pulling power than the Pussycat Dolls.

The 138bhp is deployed exceptionally well - aided and abetted by a slick six-speed manual transmission.

The official 0-62mph sprint time of just under ten seconds does no justice to the acceleration this car possesses when asked to overtake. The manoeuvre is performed in a thrice and the Golf shows no sign of wanting to pull up. The Mark VI version also drives better than ever and is one of only a handful of family cars that manages to combine practicality, fun and comfort in a perfect package.

Take it on the most demanding of roads and its composure is unruffled as there's loads of grip, tight body control and well-weighted steering. For sheer driving enjoyment there are few in its league, but if you want to just pootle around town then it behaves with perfect manners and is easy to park.

The ride is smooth and controlled - even on the sporty GT version with its lower suspension set-up and slightly larger wheels.

The interior is stylish but the light coloured upholstery used in the vehicle I drove would be hard pressed to repel the mess created by young children.

Soft-touch materials are used throughout the cabin and there's a luxury feel helped by excellent build quality and slick switches with all the controls and dials logically located and easy for the driver to see and use.

The Golf's stereo system is usually operated via chunky buttons, but the car I had was fitted with the optional DVD touch-screen satellite navigation/radio unit with colour screen. Yes it's an extra £1,570 but it looks cool and offers a 30GB hard drive, SD card reader, MP3, WMA and DVD video data files compatibility and AUX-in socket for connection to external multimedia source.

Okay, I hold my hands up, I had to ask the kids what that little lot actually meant - suffice to say there's not much in the way of in-car entertainment that can't be accessed.

But being a media mogul in your own motor is no good if you can't get comfortable and the Golf avoids this pitfall through the use of simple adjusters for the seat and steering wheel to ensure virtually every shape and size of driver can be accommodated.

To sit in the Golf is to be almost completely insulated from the outside world. Exterior noise is about as welcome as a pickpocket at a funfair and any racket is reduced to the merest whisper. The diesel engine does its bit contributing a barely audible burble at lower speeds. Indeed it doesn't get much louder than that even when asked for an effort.

The Golf has always been a good looking car, but Volkswagen's designers have got to work and the Mark VI looks even better thanks to a new nose featuring a gloss black grille and headlights housed behind a translucent cover. The wing mirrors feature integrated indicators while a neat trick channels rain water away ensuring the mirror remains clean regardless of conditions.

A sharp crease runs the length of the car into the rear lights lending the new Golf an imposing stance. The rear of the car is also altered with a larger rear window improving visibility. Below the window is a pair of elegant light units with a badge in the middle that swivels to act as a boot release.

The Golf isn't the cheapest family hatchback around, but sometimes you get what you pay for and this car is definitely worth the money particularly as running costs are easy on the bank balance.

FAST FACTS

Volkswagen Golf GT 2.0 TDI 5dr

Price: £19,815

Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 130mph

0-62mph: 9.3 seconds

Combined mpg: 57.6

Insurance group: 12

CO2 emissions: 129g/km

BiK rating: 18%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles