Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (04-08) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 28 September 2009
With an excellent drive, roomy interior and a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, the Volkswagen Golf is one of the best hatchbacks around. It's improved in every area over the car it replaced - it can carry four adults in comfort, is enjoyable and comfortable on the road and has most of the equipment you'll ever need. There's also an excellent range of engines that mix performance and economy. The best are the 1.4-litre TSI with 140bhp or 170bhp, or the excellent 2.0-litre TDI diesel, but all of them are more than up to the job. There's also an eco-friendly model - badged Bluemotion - which offers low emissions and superb economy. Hot hatch fans are well catered for too with the 200bhp Golf GTI and 240bhp R32, both of which are covered in separate reviews.
4 out of 5

Other Volkswagen reviews

3.5 out of 5

Equipment

All models come with ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, ESP stability control, driver and front passenger front airbags, head airbags for front and rear passengers, Isofix child seat mounting points, an immobiliser and remote central locking, semi-automatic air conditioning, front electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a CD player, height and reach adjustable steering column and driver's seat height adjustment. Higher specification models get features such as climate control, rain sensors, automatic lights, cruise control and a multifunction computer. There's plenty of optional extras on offer too including larger alloy wheels, xenon lights, leather upholstery, iPod connectors and sat nav.

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Trim

Equipment

Key:

Standard item

Optional item

  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Air conditioning
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Front fog lights
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
  • Steel wheels
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
S BlueMotion S Sport SE GT GT Sport BlueMotion Match Match GT Sport [Lthr]
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