Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

New Golf is smart looking and very much styled like the previous generation with subtle differences; I like the look of this car and it is unmistakably a Golf.

Life model is well equipped, all the modern features as standard. Interior looks smart. Not as refined as you would expect though - there is a lot of engine noise at higher revs.

1.5 petrol engine has good acceleration and is very responsive. You will get between 50 - 60 miles per gallon; for petrol this is excellent, my previous diesel Vauxhall Astra only managed this on a good day, but it was 10 years old.

So all in all a typically great performing modern car with all the mod cons you would expect, plain and boring, nothing to hate, nothing to get excited about either. My biggest problem with this car and a lot of modern cars in general is the "digital" obsession they seem to have to make the interior like a smart phone. Maybe I am getting old, but I just do not care about little sliders to make the dash surrounds different colors, touch screen for every bloody option (analogue controls would be better for some features) connectivity for WiFi, etc etc. Just a tonne of features I will never use. Do not even get me started on the electronic handbrake - a real pain for drivers used to a lever. As the advert says "All digital Golf" well great if you like that sort of thing, a gimmick if you do not. Don't get me wrong, I like this car, and it's recommended, just take a long test drive first and make sure you can live with its modern quirks before you buy.