2011 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Golf owners got away to a good start. Then came gearbox woes. New Volkswagen launched a large range of Golf variants here, with a car for everyone, from basic transport to sizzling sportsters such as the GTi and R models. We'll focus on the most popular versions, the regular hatchbacks. The sixth-generation Golf

Those who need a sensible car, yet who also enjoy spirited driving will find the Volkswagen Golf does a good job of meeting these apparently conflicting needs.Even by Australian standards the Golf has grown in size with each new model, going from small to small-medium and finally to medium in overall dimensions. This is partly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection though there is some more interior room as well.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs. In Europe, the VW Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it's not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Golf is chiefly sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A 'Golf' four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space in the sedans is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult with the smallish boot lid sitting very low at the rear. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn't too bad. Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it's rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The mk6 Golf R, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R - somehow it wouldn't have been right to replace the R32 with an R20.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004. However, in those early days the dual-clutch DSG was often slow and awkward at very slow speeds, making it a pain in tight parking situations. Later DSGs have been improved, but still aren't as good as conventional automatic transmissions.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will cost you a lot more.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust isn't common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. Have the car inspected professionally, or find another one. Older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops and rear parcel shelves.Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it's cold. Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn't crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.CAR BUYING TIPAn area to check early in the piece is the top of the rear bumper. Careless owners may have rested luggage on it while loading the car. And careless luggage packers may also be careless drivers, even careless about having servicing carried out according to schedule. 

Volkswagen set the bar high with last year's seventh-generation Golf, combining a brilliant chassis, ergonomic efficiency and responsive turbo engines.

Volkswagen Golf, a solid and sensible German car, is a major player in the European car market and in the last decade has made its mark in Australia as well.Those who need a practical car, but who enjoy driving will find the Golf goes a long way towards meeting each of these conflicting needs. Golf is a pleasant car to drive with good handing and sharp steering feel to let you get involved in what the car is doing, and with plenty of road grip even when pushed hard.These cars remain comfortable even on rough bush roads, though they are more at home in the suburbs than the far outback. These days Golf is a medium-sized car, having grown in size over the years, mainly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection.There's some more interior room as well. In Europe, Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it’s not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs.Golf is sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A ‘Golf’ four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult due to the odd location of the hinges. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn’t too bad.Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it’s rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The latest model, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will.Interiors generally stand up well, but some older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops. Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels.Look for scrapes on the bottom edges of the front mudflaps, they will often drag on the ground if the car has been cornered hard. New mudflaps could be a suspicious sign. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it’s cold.Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn’t crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.Rust isn’t common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. If you do come across any have the car inspected professionally or pass it up for another one.If there’s a problem in a used car get it fixed before you buy it. Don’t fall for the sales persons’ trick of saying you can bring it back later and everything will be sorted out then. It can be a lot harder then...

Just how many golf puns can you fit into one story about a Volkswagen?The German car maker has tee-ed up and driven back into the soft-top convertible market, pairing up the Volkswagen Golf Cabrio with the hard-topped Eos.Returning to the market after an eight-year lay-off, the rag-topped Golf Cabriolet was launched in the final stages of 2011, a busy year for the brand, who chipped away at the Australian new car market with 11 new model launches.VALUEThe new four-seater Cabriolet carries features that are based on its roofed Comfortline sibling, which carries a $29,490 pricetag. The starting price of a ragtop is $36,990 for the six-speed manual, but the test car's ask rose by $2500 as it was equipped with the seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated manual.Standard fare with either gearbox includes 17in alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio link, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls, a six-speaker audio system (with USB and audio inputs) and dual-zone climate control.The test cars was also fitted with the optional satnav/upgraded sound system ($3000), $3300 worth of "cool" leather trim, bi-xenon headlights and LED "auto mascara" running lights for $2100 and $500 worth of metallic paint. One option that is a worthwhile addition to the features list is front and rear parking sensors and a rear camera - given the rearward visibility, $1400 well spent.TECHNOLOGYTop of the highlights package is the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine - the little engine that thinks it's a big `un. The turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder offers 118kW and 240Nm between 1500 and 4000rpm (a knobbled variation of the Polo GTI's 132kW/250Nm powerplant) to drag the 1443kg ragtop around.The seven-speed DSG is smooth and makes the most of the outputs, changing smoothly once up and running - away from standstill it's a little tardy sometimes and Sport mode (which is quite aggressive) is a better option for take-off.The extra weight comes from the diagonal braces and extra strength in the sills to offset the lack of a roof - it all makes the convertible about 150kg heavier than the equivalent Comfortline hatch. The electric roof is a nine-second wonder and folds in on itself, which means it is it's own tonneau cover and can be kicked into operation at speeds of up to 30km/h.DESIGNThe car once carried the nickname "strawberry basket" - those wacky Germans - but the roll-bar has gone, so they'll have to put their thinking caps back on for this one. The nose is all Golf, although the windscreen rake has been pushed back a little.The car has a clean, conservative look, with frameless glass and an abrupt rear end, within which is a small 250-litre boot that thankfully doesn't get further reduced by a stowed roof. The four-seat cockpit is snug but well-laid out, the seats are comfortable (although not overly abundant with lateral support) - two average-sized adults and a couple of tween kids will be accommodated well enough, but four bigger full-growns might be in strife.SAFETYThe ragtop has done nothing to detract from the safety side - the NCAP boffins have seen fit to bestow a five-star safety-rating for the Golf Cabrio, which has five airbags (dual front, front-side and a driver's knee bag), an auto-dimming rear-vision mirror, automatic wipers and headlights.There's also stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and emergency assist, as well as a pop-up rollhoop safety system that comes from behind the rear head restraints.DRIVEThe soft-top Golf is no sportscar, let's get that said - it's reasonably swift, accomplished in the corners and a decent drive in the day-to-day drudgery of commuting, but don't call it a sportscar. The body structure has not suffered greatly for the roof removal and feels rigid enough, there are still a few small jitters on bad bumps but nothing untoward.Ride comfort is decent and even though the company calls it "sports suspension" the Cabrio is no chance of cannibalising sales from the GTI and R brigade on the company's pricelist. Any press-ahead driving means the smooth 1.4 twin-charger (a cracker little engine) is working hard thanks to podgy waistline.Open-road cruising at the limit was more pleasant, with the occupants' hairstyles not requiring a re-do at at the salon (a carpark where this car is likely to pop up). There were disappointments - the dual-zone climate control was in several minds as to what it wanted to achieve, with an awful lot of fan noise achieving little more than an asthmatic smoker's exhale.None of the vents seemed to be delivering much and then the auto mode would send a rush through the dash vents, then remove it a short time later - the local dealer was looking into it. The roof lining insulation felt a little thin - odd summer weather hasn't sent the mercury much past 30 degrees but the sun was punching heat through the cabrio's roof without much resistance.VERDICTFor a poser or a cruiser, the Golf Cabrio does it smoothly, quietly and with no shortage of cabin comfort (climate control issues aside), but the German soft-top won't be pinching sales from the hotties within striking distance of its pricetag. But shoppers in the market for an Eos (who like keeping bootspace), or the Cabrio's kissing-cousin Audi A3 will need to stop and think if they need to spend the extra cash.VW GOLF CABRIOLET TSI DSGPrice: from $39,490Resale: 54 per cent (Glass's Guide)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 5-star Euro NCAP, ABS, BA, stability and traction control, hill start assistEngine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol, 118kW/240NmTransmission: 7-speed DSG automated manual; front-wheel driveDimensions: 4337mm (L), 1423mm (H), 1782mm (W) weight 1443kg Thirst: 6.5L/100km, on test , 153g/km CO2, tank 55L

It's been eight long years since Volkswagen last offered a Golf with a soft top. The cabrio skipped the previous fifth generation Golf all together, but the wait has been worth it because the new one's a beauty at a red hot price - considering the asking price for the last one was $50,000.CLOTH OR METAL ROOF?It's a four-door with a folding, three-layer cloth roof. Push a button to open the roof. Takes just 9 seconds to open and can be opened up to a speed of 30km/h. Closing takes a slightly longer 11 seconds. The roof has to go somewhere when it is closed and that means a small boot - par for the course with convertibles. You can drop the rear seat for longer loads.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?A 1.4-litre twin charged four cylinder engine that produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque from 1500 revs. Our respect for this engine continues to grow and it does an outstanding job of powering the cabrio. You could argue more power is warranted, but in reality this engine is all it needs. There's every likelihood of a diesel and perhaps the 155kW from the GTI will find its way into the car - but they reckon it won't be called a GTI. GTI and R concept versions of the cabrio have already been exhibited overseas.WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?Extremely well given its size and 1400kg weight. In either six-speed manual or seven speed DSG form, performance is strong and sporty. It's difficult to believe an engine this small can produce such satisfying results - but that's technology for you. Body flex is minimal and the thing goes around corners with impressive ease, although the ride can be a little jiggly on secondary roads. The manual change is easy to use and the self-shifting double-clutch box does what it does very well.WHAT ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY?55-litre tank. Takes premium unleaded. The manual is rated at 6.6 while the DSG trims this figure to 6.5 litres/100km. In reality they will use more than this, but not much more if drive steadily. During the launch the manual we drove recorded 9.9 litres/100km while the DSG driven by a colleague delivered 10.3 (we tend to get carried away at times).IS IT SAFE?Gets a full five stars, with five airbags including a driver's knee bag, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and two roll bars that pop up in the event of a rollover accident. Not sure how it gets five stars without any protection for the rear passengers?ANYTHING WE DIDN'T LIKE?VW made the decision to equip all cabrios with sports suspension. The result is a car that, driven enthusiastically, hangs on like a cat that doesn't want to go out for the night. BUT the ride is anything but smooth and we predict the largely female buyers that will be attracted to this car would have appreciated a smoother, more comfortable ride instead. Rear legroom is tight, but the majority of people who own these cars tend to drive two-up. A reversing camera should be standard, but it's a $1400 option which also requires the $3000 satellite navigation system. Space saver spare.SO WHAT'S IT COST?The manual is priced from $36,990 while the auto/DSG carries a $2500 premium bringing the price tag to $39,490 - both prices before on road costs. There's only one equipment grade, with cloth upholstery standard, along with cruise control, auto dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers, two-zone temperature controlled airconditioning, Bluetooth for phone and audio plus 6-speaker audio with USB multimedia interface for music players. Also comes with 17 inch alloys with 225/45 rubber and lowered sports suspension as standard.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CABRIOLET TSIPrice: from $36,990Resale: 54% (approx).Warranty: Three years, unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: Five star ENCAP, ABS, BA, stability and traction control, hill start assistEngines: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection supercharged & turbocharged petrol 118kW/240Nm.Transmission: Six speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated; FWDDimensions:  4337mm (l) 1423mm (h) 1782mm (w) weight 1424kg (DSG 1443kg)Thirst: 6.6l/100km, 155g/km, tank 55 litres.COMPETITORSThere aren't any really, not for this price. There's the Renault Megane priced from $45,990, BMW 1 Series from $53,200 or the Peugeot 308CC from $55,490. We're wondering what impact it will have on sales of the larger EOS coupe-convertible, but then again prices for EOS start from $49,990.

The Golf Cabriolet is back after an eight-year absence - Volkswagen's new model onslaught for 2011 is complete. The cloth-topped two-door brings to ten the number of new models introduced by the German car maker, who will finish the year in the top 10 for sales .VALUEThe new Cabrio mirrors the $29,490 Comfortline hatchback for engine and features but is priced from $36,990 for the six-speed manual, or add $2500 for the DSG twin-clutch automated manual.Among the features are 17in alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio link (which proved difficult to link with some devices) for the six-speaker sound system and dual-zone climate control.The options list includes satnav (at $3000), leather trim (for $3300), $2100 for bixenon headlights, metallic paint at $500 and an alarm for $600. Parking sensors front and rear, teamed with a camera, can also be added for $1400 once you've ticked the satnav option box.TECHNOLOGYPropulsion for the new Cabrio comes from the 1.4-litre twincharged (turbo and supercharged) 118kW/240Nm direct-injection engine, a de-tuned version of the Polo GTI's 132kW 250Nm engine.The absence of a roof has been offset by diagonal braces at each corner, as well as reinforcing within the side-sills and around the engine bay, which makes it about 150kg heavier than the equivalent Comfortline hatch.The electric cloth top roof folds back onto itself in 9 seconds (in a manner similar to the Mazda MX-5's manual roof) removing the need for a tonneau. VW says the roof - which contributes 52kg to the weight - can be opened or closed at speeds up to 30km/h.DESIGNThe "Strawberry Basket" look of the earlier incarnations has gone, with the absence of the rollbar, but it's nose is familiar. The rear is fairly straight and conventional in its look, with the stumpy rear deck and roof as well as the new look taillights. It's a clean but conservative design that won't startle but it's not a major headturner either. Inside is largely carry-over from the hatch - it's a low-key functional designSAFETYThe five-star rated Golf Cabrio has the full electronic safety system list - anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and emergency assist, stability and traction control. The new Cabrio has lost the rollbar from behind the front occupant's shoulders, but the more steeply-raked windscreen and a pop-up rollover safety system that springs from behind the rear headrestraints takes its place.There are five airbags - dual front, front-side and a driver's knee bag - as well as an auto-dimming rearvision mirror, automatic wipers and headlights.DRIVINGThere's much to like (apart from the smell of roadkill) about dropping the top on a Golf. It feels as though the structure has enough rigidity not prompt judders over nasty bumps and the suspension offers a decent ride comfort.Handling from the "sports" suspension is competent without being set to scare the GTI or R models in the VW range through corners - VW says they have no plans for those badges on the droptop, although a higher-output petrol engine and a turbodiesel is under consideration.The chassis could certainly do with a little more pep - while the 1.4 works hard and delivers in a smooth fashion, the extra weight has blunted the enthusiasm of the spirited little forced-induction four-cylinder. The drivetrain does the job for those more interested in cruising or posing, but if you're in a hurry be prepared to work the gearbox a little more than the norm.Even when shunting the little ragtop along at brisk country road speeds, the wind buffeting in the cabin failed to ruffle longer-haired occupants when all four windows were raised.Taller drivers might be looking to go a little lower with the manually height-adjustable driver's seat, as the top edge of the windscreen is little closer than you'd expect, but reach-and-rake adjustable steering makes a decent driving position achievable.Rear seats will be tweens-and-under, unless the four adults attempting topless transport are well down on height - a short trip in the rear with the roof down could be done without serious discomfort but it's not a long-haul proposition.The rear seat backs fold down to open up the 250 litre boot - which thankfully does not get reduced further by the droptop - which stores a reasonable amount of luggage. The manual transmission does allow the little 1.4 to be stirred up for brisker progress, but the clutch is on the lifeless side and the take-up point is high.The gearbox itself is light and has a useable shift action - it's not super-sharp but it's not vague either - but it's likely most Australian buyers will be paying the extra for the DSG.VERDICT:Smooth, comfortable and not unattractive, the new Golf Cabrio won't take sales from the hot hatch brigade from within it's own family but it might make someone looking at an Eos - which is $51,990 - an Audi A3 petrol, at $50,500, or the BMW 1-Series ragtops think twice. The appeal of better bootspace with the chance to get the roof down.

Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback v VW Golf 118TSI Comfortline v Mazda3 SP20 Skyactiv v Ford Focus Titanium hatch v Holden Cruze SRi-V.CAPITALISM is all about choice and no vehicle type offers more choice for buyers than small cars. Australian motorists are blessed with 31 small car models, the largest category on the showroom floor. Little wonder, since the small car appeals to so many buyers on so many levels: It's a great first car, an urban run-around, the modern young family car, a sensible second car and a downsizing option for empty nesters and retirees.In fact, the recently upgraded Mazda3 is actually challenging long-time market leader Commodore for the outright honours in the showroom battle for sales. The classy field of challengers comes from Australia and around the world, including Japan, the US, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, China, Malaysia, UK, Thailand and the Czech Republic.TEST DRIVERSWe chose five of the seven top-selling small cars for our comparison test and asked a young family and a couple of empty nesters to join us for a suburban drive to find out what they offer.Chris and Trinity Bond, and their children Coen, 6, and Oscar 2.5 live in suburbia where they conduct an insulation business. They are used to bigger cars but acknowledge the economic advantages of a small car and were surprised at the roominess of these vehicles.Bill Griffin, 50, and John Kremastos, 62, are semi-retired builders whose children are now independent. They also see the advantages of a small city run-around and were equally surprised at how many features small cars have these days.From left: Trinity and Chris Bond, John Kremastos and Bill Griffin.VALUEOur field includes high-spec automatics that vary in price by just $2600 from $29,990 for the Holden Cruze SRi-V to $32,590 for the Ford Focus Titanium.Despite being slightly cheaper, the Cruze sedan certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of features with fog lights, rear parking sensors, colour satnav, USB/iPod/MP3 plug and play, 30GB music hard drive, DVD, leather seats, heated front seats, lit vanity mirrors, aux 12V front and back. However, our test car didn't have Bluetooth (it is now standard on the latest models) or rain-sensing wipers which all of the others have.Ford Focus is the only one here with an automatic self-parking system. It also features electric driver's seat, rear parking sensors, Sony sound, dual-zone aircon, partial leather trim, Bluetooth with audio streaming and fog lights.The oldest model in the field is the Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback ($32,490) which is shortly due for a mid-life model  update. Even so, it doesn't suffer from a comparative lack of features with USB connectivity, pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, alloy pedals, gear paddle shifters and a rocking Rockford-Fosgate sound system. However, it has a tilt-only adjustable steering wheel while the others also adjust for reach.The newest model is the Mazda3 which is actually the cheapest at $27,990, but ours came with a $3000 optional Luxury Pack featuring Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seats, Bose 242-watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer cleverly tucked inside the space-saver spare wheel in the boot. In standard trim it's still got a lot of kit including fog lights, dual-zone climate aircon with pollen filter and Bluetooth with audio streaming.The Golf is the only model with front and rear fog lights and daytime running lights. It also has dual-zone aircon with a dust and pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB and a chillable glovebox. However, it has no parking sensors, but you can get an optional rear camera and rear sensors. Other options include a parallel parking assistance system, iPod connection and sat nav.The Golf and Mazda have standard keys, while the Lancer has keyless start and the Cruze and Focus have proximity keys that also automatically unlock the car door.All models now come with cruise control, steering wheel controls and auto headlights. In the value stakes, the Focus wins with its high level of spec and the party trick of automatic parallel parking.TECHNOLOGYAll models are petrol-powered, with the Cruze and Golf having turbo engines. Despite these turbocharged models, it's the naturally aspirated Lancer and Focus that win the power stakes on paper, sharing 125kW thanks to their bigger displacement engines.The Golf has 118kW, hence its model name 118, and the Cruze has the lowest power at 103kW. But power figures don't really mean much in real-world situations and the turbo models are certainly the liveliest of the crop, albeit with a little turbo lag off idle.The idea of turbocharging in small cars is not just about power, anyway. It's also about economy with these models having lower capacity engines that sip fuel in a miserly fashion. In the Golf that's 6.2 litres per 100km and 6.9L/100km in the Cruze.The just-released Mazda3 comes with the new fuel-efficient Skyactiv engine and transmission that equal the economy of the Golf. It is also the only model with stop-start technology that switches off the engine while stationary and starts again when you take your foot off the brake.The Lancer is the loser here with 8.9L/100km and no hint of any changes that promise improvements in the November model update.If music, connectivity and Bluetooth are important techno features, most models have a choice of systems. The easiest to use is Bluetooth with audio streaming. However, the Cruze offered the most entertainment options with DVD and a hard drive that the others don't have.Transmissions are six-speed autos with the Golf adding a seventh ratio and the Lancer using a continuously variable transmission.On the low-tech side of things, wheels on our test cars are a mix of 16-inch alloys (Mazda and VW), 17-inch (Cruze) and 18-inch (Lancer and Focus). All feature space-saver spare wheels restricted to 80km/h.DESIGNNew usually means better, but the Lancer's modern design has stood the test of time against the more modern models.Meanwhile, our testers thought the Golf looked "bland" and "plain" in this field.Winner here is the masculine-looking Focus with its menacing grille grimace with Bond declaring "I'm a Holden man but I like the look of the Focus", while his wife prefers the female curves and cute smiley "face" of the Mazda3.The Australian-made Cruze is the only sedan in the crew and comes with a lot of "Holdenised" bits of chrome and detailing. Griffin praises it for looking like a small-scale Commodore. It also has the neatest rear end with a discreet tailpipe.Inside, the Golf loses out again for appearing austere by comparison with the three newcomers, while the Focus is the other extreme, attracting comments that it looked too fussy and like "being trapped inside a 1980s ghetto blaster".The Mazda3 cabin draws some praise, but the wrap-around cockpit styling is criticised as "claustrophobic" and the forward display with colour satnav shines in the windscreen at night and is a distraction.Mitsubishi will have to address the expanse of hard plastic on the dashboard when it updates the Lancer, although the styling is simple, modern and functional.The Cruze is the winner inside with a combination of modern styling enhanced by tasteful touches of chrome, but traditional controls that are easy to understand and use.All have 60/40 rear split seats and fair legroom for small cars.In the back, all cargo areas are well carpeted with flat floors. The Focus boot seems the smallest, while the Cruze cargo area is very deep and despite not being a hatchback, it fits a ladder with ease.SAFETYEvery car in our comparison test - like many of the vehicles in this category - comes with a full five-star ANCAP safety rating making them a truly family car.They have six airbags while the Golf and Lancer add a knee airbag for the driver.They also feature stability control which works best in the Golf and was found to be a little over-reactive in the Lancer during a brief, but heavy downpour.DRIVINGSmall cars are built for the city streets and occasional highway run, so that's how we tested these vehicles.The benchmark in driving dynamics has long been the Golf which is a former Carsguide's Car of the Year.It has road-handling poise, a fast-acting transmission, a lively engine, sharp brakes ("severe" says Kremastos) and a natural steering feel.Our testers unanimously criticise the turbo lag from idle. Kremastos and Chris Bond claim it would "drive them nuts", however Griffin says you can drive around the problem.Once under way, the Golf is a spirited and rewarding drive.The Focus launched recently to rave reviews that hinted it might knock off the Golf for dynamics.However, our testers are not as impressed. They criticise the rough and indecisive transmission while Mrs Bond doesn't like the zigzag patterned gate of the selector.Her husband says handling is good, but "power is average and it's not super responsive," comments reflected by the others."Size is good for me," Bond says. "It's quite comfortable, but I wouldn't like to be sitting behind me."Griffin says that by comparison the Mazda3 is "more refined, quieter and smoother than the Focus"."The gearbox and motor feel better matched with no over-revving like you are flogging it." He also likes the ergonomics.Bond thinks there are "too many confusing buttons on the steering wheel" and says the car is "not as responsive as I'd like." His wife agrees and says the brakes are also "unresponsive".Kremastos says that except for the slight turbo lag, he is more than a little surprised at how nippy the car is around town, even though it has a 1.4-litre engine which is 400cc less than his Honda Goldwing motorcycle.The Cruze also attracts praise as "sprightly", although the bonnet rises and falls on acceleration and braking.It's steering also cops criticism as light and vague, while several drivers commented on the rough gear changes.Mrs Bond says the seats are quite comfortable and her husband likes the cabin."Looks can be deceiving. I'm a big fella and it was quite comfortable," he says. Griffin doesn't like the lack of a left-foot rest.The Lancer attracted neither good nor bad comments on its driving dynamics. It seems a handy utilitarian machine that delivers the goods in a no-fuss, unspectacular manner. The only criticism came from Griffin who said it got "a bit unsteady in the wet".Bond is unimpressed with the rally styling of the pedals and flappy paddle shifters on the steering wheel which he says is "a novelty I don't think I'd use".VERDICTIt's horses for courses here and we found a mix of preferences from our testers. If it's a driver's car you want, the Golf wins, but it loses points for tired design, lack of features and an austere interior.Lancer is praised as a no-nonsense car, but again feeling the signs of age in its features and interior design. The new model may be make amends.Focus draws extreme comments. It is praised for its exterior design, but criticised for its interior, while the driving dynamics fall slightly behind the Mazda and Golf.Griffin sums up the Mazda as the "best all-rounder". It performs all functions well without being a standout in any particular area.But the winner by three votes to one in our test team is the handsome Aussie-built Cruze.Mitsubishi Lancer VRX SportbackPrice: $32,490Options: pearlescent paint $450Engine: 2.4L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/226NmTransmission: CVTEconomy: 8.9L/100kmCO2: 213g/km, 6/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 10 years/160,000km (powertrain), 5 years/100,000km (car and roadside assist)Service: 15,000km/12 mthsVW Golf Comfortline 118TSIPrice: $31,990Options: metallic paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder twin turbo, 118kW/240NmTransmission: 7 speed DSGEconomy: 6.2L/100kmCO2: 144g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited km, VW Assist.Service: 15,000km/12 mthsMazda3 SP20 SkyactivPrice: $27,990Options fitted: Luxury Pack (Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim, premium Bose 242 watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer - $3000)Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmTransmission: 6-speed autoEconomy: 6.1/6.2L/100kmCO2: 145g/kmSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService: 10,000km/6 mthsFord Focus Titanium hatchPrice: $32,590Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmTransmission: 6-speed Powershift DSG,Economy: 6.6L/100kmCO2: 154g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mthsHolden Cruze SRi-VPrice: $29,990Options: prestige paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder, turbo, 103kW/200NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, Active SelectEconomy: 6.9L/100kmCO2: 164g/km, 7/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mths

SWEAT is running down the back of OPEC and it's not caused by the heat of the Arabian Desert. Seriously clever engineering is at work to quickly reduce the fuel consumption of our vehicles and, at the wheel of Volkswagen's new Golf Bluemotion. I am stunned at the speed at which the trip computer is pulling down the fuel average numbers.It is so easy to drive and save on costs that it's a wonder motorists have been avoiding eco-cars. Better, this is a very simple car and not a complex laboratory experiment.So I've taken it on a test in the real world for a real world car-not a hybrid but just a diesel engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, lots of comfort and features and a $28,990 price. Think hybrid? Think again.VALUEYou'd expect to pay less than $29,000 for a manual car with a diesel engine. Though there's some clever - though subtle - stuff in the Golf Bluemotion, I can see motorists baulk at the manual gearshift. The rest of the car is fine because it's based heavily on the $29,990 77TDI Golf Trendline (which comes only as an auto) with almost exact features. The Bluemotion differs by having no spare wheel (sad) and no auto option but has a stop-start system, aero bodykit, weighs 100kg less and gets 3.8 L/100km compared with 5.1 L/100km. If you're not a fan of diesels, I have included a petrol Golf in the comparisons below.DESIGNIf you don't know what a Golf looks like you've been hiding under a rock along with Port Adelaide supporters. It's neat, practical and classy but at the same time the styling is a bit bland. I love it because it works so well. It is one of the few cars that feels right-the seating position and especially the way it sits on the road. The Bluemotion has all the great things of the other Golfs and that includes space for four adults, a decent boot and a tall roofline so with folded rear seats, it will swallow a lot of gear.TECHNOLOGYThe 77kW/250Nm turbo-diesel is identical to the Trendline model. The fuel saving is achieved by opting for a lighter five-speed manual with wide-space ratios (Trendline gets a six cog box), addition of a stop-start system, aerodynamically-focused body kit, low rolling-resistance tyres and weight reduction that includes ditching the spare wheel (it's now an option). Other than that - it's all Golf so it's all good.SAFETYFive-star crash rating, electronic stability control with ABS brakes and extras like brake assist and anti-slip regulator, plus seven airbags. Just like a regular Golf.DRIVINGGetting the fuel consumption down becomes a game. I'm on a relatively long test run of 350km, through the hills - lots of hills - and following both major town-link roads and tiny backroads. I started at my city office and 15 minutes later the trip computer was tumbling down to average 7.1 litres/100km.An hour later, winding up through the hills, it had hit 4.5 L/100km and I wasn't holding back from the 80km/h and 110km/h speed limits. It dropped to 4.1 L/100km halfway through the journey and despite becoming more aggressive with the accelerator, slipped and lodged at 4.0 L/100km - sufficient for me to travel 1375km before refuelling.But it's not all about the fuel. The Bluemotion is a delightful handler and through the bends you can feel the tautness and strength of its chassis. Stay in the 2500-3500rpm range and there's heaps of tow in the engine.Ride comfort is great and the tyres - small 15-inch units here - notably produce less road noise than the low-profile rubber on more upmarket Golfs.VERDICTHigh quality and simple engineering make this a winner. An auto version would be interesting, especially as Volkswagen claims its dual-clutch automated manual (dubbed DSG) is more economical than a manual. Aside from its target as miserly transport, it's also fun to drive and comfortable.

The Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion is certainly a fuel miser of the highest order, better than a Prius and almost the most fuel efficient car in Australia. That honour goes to Ford's smaller Fiesta Econetic hatch, but not by much which is rated at 3.7 litres/100km, the BlueMotion's is 3.8. With just over 750km on the clock, our test vehicle still had a third of a tank of diesel left and the trip computer claimed it was good for another 310km. That's impressive.We were also impressed by the car's sporty appearance and comfortable seating, but still baulk at the prospect of having to buy a manual (there's no auto). If you are a commuter and you do a lot of kilometres, most of them on the motorway, then this is the car for you. But, if you live in the city, and often get caught in traffic, pushing the clutch in and out and having to change gears all the time is likely to become tiresome.TECHNOLOGYWhat's even more irksome, is the fact that Volkswagen actually removed the 1.6-litre 77TDI diesel with a 7-speed DSG transmission from its inventory to make way for this car. The BlueMotion features the same 1.6-litre turbo diesel but with several refinements to improve fuel economy.The 1.6 delivers 77kW of power at 4400 revs and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 2000 revs. It's paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, with gear ratios that we're told do a better job of keeping revs in the torque band where it is most efficient.The engine management system has been revised to reduce idle speed and a visual prompt tells the driver when to change gears for maximum economy. A stop/start system is also part of the setup that shuts down the engine at traffic lights, provided the car is put into neutral and the energy normally lost during braking is diverted to the car's battery.Although the Golf Blue Motion is rated at 3.8 litres/100km, motorists are unlikely to achieve this figure in daily driving. We were getting 5.1 litres/100km, an excellent result and one of the best. But it's not that far ahead of the of the 77TDI model that we had for several weeks, rated at 5.1 but returned a steady 5.5 litres/100km.DRIVINGThe gearing in the Blue Motion model is very tall, with higher than normal stall speeds in each gear — so you need to be vigilant. Not sure why they don't fit a 6-speed which would provide a tall final gear, but zippier performance in between. With a 55-litre fuel tank and economy of 3.8 litres/100km, the car has a theoretical range of 1447km.Like other Golfs it has seven airbags, plenty of driver assistance systems and a maximum five-star safety rating. But the spare wheel has been replaced by a reinflation kit to reduce weight, which is down to 1234kg. The car is well equipped and comes in four colours including environmental blue, but misses out on Bluetooth which remains optional.VOLKSWAGEN GOLF BLUEMOTIONPrice: from $28,990Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo dieselPower: 77kW at 4400revsTorque: 250Nm from 1500revs to 2500revsTransmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive.