Golf

Golf cabrio. Forget about the EOS did we VW?

The VW Golf is now in its 7th generation, and it looks better than ever to me. I like how the Car has grown over the years, and is now one of the most popular family cars in the UK. It has many body styles (Hatch, Estate, Cabrio, 'plus') and many engines, so there's something for everyone. It also has a very upmarket interior, which makes it feel like a very premium car. There's even 4 'Hot' Golfs on sale: GTI (Petrol), GTD (Diesel), GTE (Electric) and R (I believe it is used instead of "R32") Now, whilst these sell well (Or so I'm told) VW have decided to think about a 'monster' Golf, or, to be specific, a 395BHP, 2.0 turbo 4-pot Golf "R400".

Golf R400 anyone? 

Stupid. This car is only in concept form at the moment, but VW has said that the car is 'plausible' which means that the're gong to make it. Whether it'll just be one, like the old golf W12, or a mass-produced monster to create a new niche of super-hatches, we are yet to know, but watch this space...

Golf MK7 interior. Not angled at the driver.

Anyways, back to the current Golf family. There are several things I like about them, not least the dash, that finally looks included into the car, and faced towards the driver without actually facing the driver. It means that front seat passengers are less likely to fiddle with the radio, yet still fiddle with all their climate control settings and the rear-seat passengers can see the sat nav, a standard feature in all golfs. The DRLs are pretty funky too, even in the base model. They do get better in the hot versions, and you can also purchase the light clusters separately, something which I don't think is a good idea unless you're qualified enough to seal them in properly.

 Next, I want to talk about the windows. In short, they're rather tall for the car, especially when you're sat in the passenger seat with it fairly low down (as I do, because I'm used to the CC) not only does it make the car feel incredibly light inside, it also makes the car seem bigger, because of the proportions and stuff. I don't know the science behind it. It just works and looks good. 

Golf VII GTI. Pretty.

Last point: Optional extras. The Golf has loads, and what may start as a fairly cheap 17K golf can soon be quite expensive when you add these extras. In most cases, it's cheaper to go for the next model up. Some of the options are a bit pointless, I think. Take the "Leather trimmed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel". 400 quid for something that's free in higher up models. That option might be a useful one though, so take the 103-pound bike holder for the roof. Pointless because what family doesn't have a roof-rack anyway? I can understand that option for cars like the CC, where a standard one won't fit, but on a Golf? My Dad used to have a MK6 golf, and his Thule roof rack that he bought for his Peugeot fitted fine. Fitted his A4 too, both cars which have roof rack options. Just buy a good quality one and save money on every car you buy.