Volkswagen Golf TDi 2005 Review

It proves that Volkswagen can still do it right, and force the pace, when it gets serious.

Volkswagen says the fifth Golf is the biggest change since the first of the type in 1974.

It has been set to beat the Ford Focus, Holden Astra, Peugeot 307 and the rest in Europe, and should also go better against such contenders as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The diesel option is a two-litre with (more important than power alone) 320Nm of torque and anyone can see the sense in a car that can easily cover more than 800km between topups.

On the road, the first impression is how surprisingly swift the Golf TDi is. It also rides superbly, is extremely well built and promises to stay safe and solid over the long haul.

There is so much to enjoy. It will trundle down to the mall, but can also be packed tight with people and playthings for a long interstate run.

With a diesel engine, the range on freeways is likely to run close to 1000km.

My fuel consumption averaged only 6.6 litres/100km and I often saw the reading on the car's trip computer drop below four at a gentle 110km/h cruise.

The car is so light on fuel because the turbodiesel is hooked to a six-speed manual gearbox and makes maximum torque from only 1750rpm.

Often you only have to tickle the throttle to hustle the car along.

The Golf TDi doesn't have the eagerness enjoyed in sporty twin-cam fours, but the torque push is impressive.

The TDi automatic is far less sprightly than the manual from a standing start, but good enough once rolling.

The Golf sometimes runs a bit wide in tight corners – perhaps down to the heavy-ish diesel motor in the nose – but otherwise has great balance and grip.

Lined up against its compact Euro diesel rivals, the Golf V is my choice.