Volkswagen Golf 2004 review: snapshot

That responsibility now goes to the Golf, the biggest-selling VW by a country mile.

The small hatch is so popular that other carmakers have attacked it from all sides.

Euro rivals include the Holden Astra, Ford Focus and Peugeot 307, and Japan has chipped in with the Mazda3 and the cheaper Toyota Corolla.

Explore the 2004 Volkswagen Golf range

• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review: road test
• Volkswagen Golf V 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf diesel 2004 review
• Volkswagen Golf 2004 review: snapshot

So VW has returned fire with the fifth-generation Golf.

The Golf V five-door has regained leadership of the small-car class in Europe and VW is hoping it will sell strongly here.

Diesel power has been brought back to the Golf range after eight years on the bench.

VW is introducing two diesel engines for the Golf, hoping buyers will be prepared to pay a bit extra for the improved mileage given the current cost of petrol.

The 1.9-litre turbo diesel model is available from $29,990 and generates 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque.

There is also the new hi-tech 2.0-litre turbo diesel model available from $32,490.

This engine has 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque and 2.0-litre TDi.

Both diesels are available with a six-speed manual or six-speed direct-shift tiptronic automatic gearbox (DSG).

Though the diesel models will constitute only about 7 per cent of the predicted 7500 Golf sales next year, VW is hoping that figure may increase in future.

If you don't like diesel, the Golf is available with a regular 75kW 1.6-litre engine with a five-speed manual from $25,490.

This is the most popular model and accounts for more than half Golf sales.

If you have extra cash, a 110kW 2.0-litre FSi (fuel-stratified injection) is available from $32,990 with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic.

Though VW is not prepared to talk about it, the Golf's "kissing cousin" relationship with the prestige Audi A3 makes it a very attractive proposition in terms of price. They share both petrol engines, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel and its optional DSG automatic, a large percentage of the base mechanicals, suspension and the hydro-electric power steering.

With six airbags, new body-shell engineering and a revised chassis-welding procedure that produces what VW claims is an 80 per cent body stiffness, the Golf has topped the tough Euro NCAP testing program.

The 12-star total – five for passenger safety, four for child occupant safety and three for pedestrian safety – is claimed by VW to be the highest so far recorded by any car in any class.

ON THE ROAD
THE Golf has always been a bit of a Corolla – doing the job capably, but not an outstanding drive.

The latest model, however, is much more fun to drive and more comfortable to boot. VW went out of its way to make this an agile machine and it shows.

The new all-round independent suspension is a treat and combined with the stiffer body produces a very compliant ride. The car corners well and is steady over bumps.

The steering is crisp and communicative.

The test car was the 1.9-litre diesel model with the Comfortline trim pack.

We didn't know what to expect when we slid into it, but were worried that driving such a small oil-burner would be a real chore. We quickly realised the concern was baseless.

The engine, combined with the six-speed manual, offers more than enough go.

You have to push it along and work the gears, but the off-the-line urge was impressive.

The engine is noisy and can sound a bit truck-like at low speed or when being worked hard, but is quiet at highway speeds.

It works best on undulating roads where the torque allows you to speed up or slow down without changing gears often.

Fuel consumption was impressive – 5 to 7 litres/100km on a run that included some highway and plenty of twisty turns.

The Golf's interior is sensible and everything is in the right place. It is not going to win any style awards, but everything is easy to use.

The plastics are good for the price range and the cupholders and storage areas are practical.

The steering wheel can be adjusted up-down and forward-back.

Boot space is respectable, but not huge. There is a space-saver tyre rather than the full-size spare that should be standard.

The test car had satellite navigation ($2990), heated leather seats ($3290) and a sunroof ($1890).

There is no doubt the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is a better engine, but the 1.9-litre is $2500 cheaper, which matters in this market.

The new Golf has moved forward from the old boxy shape to a more chic, rounded style. Not a wild shape, but smart enough to please.

THE BOTTOM LINE
A COMPETENT and stylish small car that mixes driving enjoyment with practicality.