Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet (94-01) - Review

The front seats are contoured, hugging passengers on long journeys and providing good support. The two in the back shouldn’t feel crushed, as rear space is fairly generous though it can be blustery when the roof is down. The firm ride is acceptable, and the Golf is settled on all but the bumpiest of road surfaces. The optional heated leather seats look great, adding a touch of class to the cabin.

Soft-tops are great fun, offering versatile motoring throughout the year and this one’s no different; looking great with the top down in the summer months. As with most two-door four-seaters, quick access to the rear seats can be difficult and a pain if you’re using them all the time. The boot is by no means as practical as the Mk3 Golf Hatchback on a day-to-day basis, but the 270-litre capacity is about the same size as its rivals and big enough to carry a couple of small suitcases. Folding the rear seats down increases luggage capacity, but the hood - which is electrically powered on all but base models - restricts access to the boot, making loading awkward.

The cabin is tasteful, although the dark materials give a sombre look. The steering column and driver’s seat are height adjustable, so even shorter drivers should be able to find a suitable driving position. Peripheral visibility is, obviously, superb with the roof down, only restricted slightly by the roll bar (which increases rollover safety but looks less sleek than the Astra) while pulling out of junctions is safe and easy as there’s no secondary windscreen pillar that may obscure approaching traffic.