Volkswagen Golf Match 2.0 TDI (140ps) 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Golf is famous for its blend of fun and practicality and this one is no different. The diesel engine isn’t as punchy as the TSI petrol version, but this 2.0 litre offering produces 138 bhp (140 ps). This means the car can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9.3 seconds and will keep going until it reaches a top speed of 130 mph.

As expected in a top of the range Golf, the cabin noise is almost non-existent and the interior is well-equipped and easy to navigate.

The stability control and power steering mean that the Golf is easy to manoeuvre. Its steering is quite light and easy, and there is very little body roll around corners. The suspension is supple over the bumps in the road at all times, allowing a very comfortable ride.

This diesel engine will do 58.9 mpg, which is decent, although the added cost of the car, as well as the diesel itself means you will need to average a lot of miles to make it worthwhile.

The Golf is a good looking car, although perhaps not as aggressively styled as its in-house rival, the Scirocco. As the Match version is the executive trim, it comes with all the luxuries you might need and the interior has an impressive build-quality, something we have come to expect from most Volkswagens.

The standard features include alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric mirrors, electric windows (front and back), cruise control, rear-parking sensors, alarm, immobiliser and MP3/Bluetooth connectivity.

Optional extras include climate control for £455, leather seats at £1965 and a satellite navigation system for £1195.

The Golf has a great boot size at 350 litres (1305 litres with the rear seats down) and a spacious interior which will seat four, even five comfortably.

The warranty lasts three years or 60,000 miles and the car received an overall rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP tests. It also comes with driver, passenger and front side airbags, an engine immobiliser and alarm system, which keep it secure. Deadlocks and a visible VIN add to the security of this Golf.

The Golf Match 2.0 TDI is not cheap. It will set you back £21,090 without any extras, and although the fuel economy is good, you will need to do a fair few miles to make it really worth while.

Running costs aren’t too bad. This Golf is in insurance group 21 and tax band D – coupled with the decent fuel economy (58.9 mpg) and it doesn’t look too bad at all. CO2 emissions are low at 126 g/km.

Add to this the fact that Volkswagen engines are notoriously reliable and the car has a great re-sale value, and you’ve got yourself a car that is pretty cheap to own.

There are cheaper alternatives to a Golf, namely a Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, but there is no greater all-rounder than Volkswagen’s offering. However, if you do plump for a Golf, the TSI petrol version is a very good cheaper alternative.