Faults:

Only after one day did I make the mistake of fitting the very rear head-rest in reverse. This causes then to be locked in and non removeable. VW wanted the car for a day to release them. This can be put right be gently removing the collars and releasing the stem locks.

I wish VW could be more helpful at times.

General Comments:

This is the first VW I have had and so far very pleased. The 2.0 SE is as quick as you would ever need a family car to be, even with all seven seats full.

The ride is firm, but not uncomfortable.

The cruise control is great on the open roads.

Leg room on the second row is great, but the back row have a shallow foot well.

Faults:

Nothing yet since the car is only a few days old, however the rear tailgate needs to be slammed shut to avoid getting a bleep and a message telling you it's not closed properly - this happens after you've belted up and is very frustrating.

General Comments:

We ordered our car in a metallic grey with optional rear tinted glass, alloy wheels (which I think at this level should be standard) and chrome roof rails. (we did not actually order these, but if we accepted them it would avoid a 2 month wait - and they look good!)

I must say the car looks really good, and I do not agree with those who say the car is not stylish. It reeks quality and looks far better than a Zafira although I can see that those who like more radical styling might prefer a Scenic.

The 1.9 TDI is no hot rod, but it's not a slouch either. The turbo gives some low end grunt where it's needed and the performance is perfectly respectable and certainly more than adequate for most people.

The car is packed with gizmos and cubbys. The cruise control works well and there are nice touches like the indicators in the mirrors, cool blue and red dash at night, intuitive locking and of course the seating flexibility. my kids (10 and 3) both love it and are no longer a pain on journeys.

Accommodation is good though entry into the rear 2 seats is difficult for adults, yet surprisingly spacious when you do get in. Very little rear space is left however, with all the seats up.

The driving position is superb, great all round visibility and all the controls where they should be.

The sound system is also very good, though steering wheel controls would have been nice.

The horn is a bit feeble and sounds like a mouse having its tail trodden on.

Safety is obviously taken seriously. There are airbags everywhere, ABS, traction control etc etc, and the car feels a safe place to be.

Still a bit early to say on the economy front, but it's looking like high 40s in mpg, perhaps even more.

Overall I'm very pleased with the car and feel we made a good choice.