2012 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.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

A new Volkswagen Golf is a major event in the world’s automotive industry. One that’s closely analysed by competitors from every manufacturer on the planet.With over 29 million sales to date, the Golf has been a huge success. Indeed if you also factor in the number of people who have bought a second-hand Golf over the last 38 years, ownership is now well in excess of 100 million.We, and over 1500 journalists from 98 countries, were invited along to the launch of the all-new Golf. Held progressively over at five-week period in Sardinia, Italy, the event consisted of extensive technical presentations and extended test drives over some challenging countryside.TECHNOLOGYPower comes from new-design turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The former have a capacity of 1.2 or 1.4 litres; the latter with displacements of either 1.6 or 2.0 litres. Only the larger petrol and diesel units were available for us to test at the media preview.All engines are designed keep their weight to a minimum, with as much 40 kilograms having been removed compared to the previous generation.Officially measured fuel savings of between 14 and 23 per cent are an impressive part of the new-gen Volkswagen. Fascinatingly the 1.4-litre petrol engine only runs on two of its four cylinders under light running conditions. Other than a tell-tale message on the dashboard we were never able to pick whether the Golf was running on four cylinders or two.Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered in most models. Full specs for engines and transmissions in Australia are to be finalised before it goes on sale in March 2013.DESIGNStyling has never been of major importance to Golf buyers as they are generally quite conservative people. They don’t want to own a car that will look like an old fashion fad before the time comes to trade it in. So the all-new Golf Mark 7 retains styling cues to its predecessors, but comes with some sharp new lines on its sides to match the latest trends.The frontal appearance is very much to the current VW theme, with a neat grille that ties in with modestly shaped headlights. Taken on its own it could be seen as any one of a number of Volkswagen models. Though those who have been studying the shape of the new cut-price Volkswagen up! small car will spot some of the cheeky looks of that car in the lower grille area.Volkswagen Golf Mk7 naturally has the distinctively kinked C-pillar that has been a feature of the car since its introduction in 1974. We recently road tested Golf models 1 through 7 at a classic car event at Volkswagen’s headquarter in Wolfsburg, Germany and noted the way the cars have evolved over the years. While they had grown in size, they retained familiar looks and similar feel from generation to generation.Though the car itself is slightly larger than the Golf 6 the overall weight is up to 100 kg less than before. This assists in performance, reduced fuel useage and lower CO2 emissions.It’s likely that only five-door Golfs will be imported as three-door models have been slow sellers in previous generations.As well as the advantage of relaxed travelling the very quiet Golf engine hides the fact that it has a stop-start function so drivers who aren’t interested in cutting pollution are less likely to switch of this clean-air function.External noises are almost completely shut out thanks to a stiff body design and numerous sound dampening features.Boot space is useful at 380 litres with the cover in place and all seats in use, and up to 1270 litres with the rear seat backrests down. Cleverly, the luggage cover stores neatly under the boot floor when not required, so you don’t have to try and find space for it amongst the luggage or even have to stuff it onto the back seat.The windscreen pillars are reasonably slim and don’t overly hamper the view outside.SAFETYActive safety features normally only found in larger, much more expensive cars include Lane Assist that actively steers the car back into the correct lane or away from the edge of the road (providing there are clear line markings at the road’s edge); City Emergency Braking at speeds up to 30 km/h; crash anticipation and preparation; and adaptive cruise control.In some ways the safety feature of all are seats designed to provide the correct driving position from the point of view of ergonomics.DRIVINGThe biggest impression made by the all-new Volkswagen Golf is of sophistication. It is as smooth and quiet as a car a couple of sizes larger. The Golf’s engine is almost electric-motor quiet at idle and little noise intrudes into the cabin, even when it’s accelerated hard.Handling is neat and precise and the car is easy to point and willing to change direction. Comfort is good and even on some of the very rough Italian roads we punted it over it was never knocked off track.VERDICTThe latest Volkswagen Golf is an extremely impressive car in many ways. In particular the level of performance offered by relatively small engines and the highly refined feel inside the cabin.

Yawn. The 86 wins. There is no way to delay, or tease, or try and hide the outcome of a comparison test that provides the predictable verdict for anyone shopping for fun in 2012. When we put together a comparison crew of the newest and most-desirable affordable sporty cars in Australia today, we always knew the Toyota 86 would be tough to toss.But the Volkswagen Golf GTI is almost a classic, the Mazda MX-5 is a classic, and the latest Veloster Turbo is more proof that Hyundai is building cars that are much more than just A-to-B transport modules. So we were looking forward to a close contest, even if the Toyota 86 is the odds-on favourite for every Car of the Year award in the world for 2012.In the end, the only realistic challenger to the 86 is the Subaru BRZ. We didn't have one along because it's virtually identical - some say the Subaru is the original - to the 86er. But Toyota is making  the most noise, even though the BRZ is the car I'd choose for its nicer styling, slightly softer suspension, and the full-sized spare that Toyota is about to remove from the tail of the 86.VALUEIt's crazy that the smallest and oldest of the comparo crew - the MX-5 - is also the most expensive. Not just that, but at $49,805 it also doesn't come with a lot of the hi-tech stuff - such as Bluetooth - that even bargain-basement buyers expect today. Still, it does have a thumping Bose sound system, wonderfully supportive Recaro seats and good looking BBS alloys.The MX-5 also benefits from historically high resale value as a modern in-demand classic. The Veloster SR Turbo is cheapest at $31,990 yet still has a seven-inch touch screen with satnav, panoramic sunroof, leather-leatherette seat trim, rear parking camera and Bluetooth with streaming. The turbo engine cuts service intervals to six-months/7500km, but the new capped-price service plan means the total cost over three years to service the car is $1164. It also has Hyundai's five-year warranty, but that's offset by the lowest resale value.The Toyota 86 test car is the fully-loaded GTS, with bigger brakes and wheels, satnav, auto aircon, LED running lamps and more. It also has a capped-price service plan and Toyota expects a very strong resale value. We considered the costlier Volkswagen Sirocco coupe for the comparison, but the price check went in favour of the three-door GTI pocket rocket even though it's still over $40,000. It comes with dual-zone air, Bluetooth and rain-sensing wipers, but is missing some features that are standard in the Toyota and Hyundai.TECHNOLOGYAll four cars have four-cylinder engines, although they range from the Subaru boxer in the 86 to the turbos in the VW and Hyundai. Power is important for enjoyable driving and the twin turbos are naturally on top, with the GTI taking the prize with 5 kiloWatts more than the Veloster, although the Korean is lightest on fuel at 6.8litres/100km. While the 86er's engine is notoriously thirsty with 7.8L/100km, and takes premium unleaded, the MX-5 actually tails on efficiency at 8.1litres. The Volkswagen has a double-clutch automatic and the rest are driver-first six-speed manuals, while each has all-wheel disc brakes and sports suspension settings.DESIGNThe 86 has classic sports car proportions, just like the droptop MX-5 that's become a classic. But the Toyota has a modern cabin and reasonable space inside, where the Mazda is cramped and old-fashioned. There's nothing old-school about the Veloster, from its gaping mouth to a body with two hatchback doors on one side and a single coupe door on the other.There's nothing special about the GTI, but it has the right 'hot hatch' triggers despite a cabin that's now showing its age with the all-new Golf just a month away from a Carsguide preview drive in Europe.SAFETYThe age of the MX-5 is reflected in a four-star ANCAP safety rating, against the maximum five stars for its rivals. The Veloster comes with six airbags while the Toyota and GTI add a knee airbag, but the Hyundai is the only one with a standard review-view camera in a field where rear vision is often crimped in favour of fashion.The 86er still has a spare but it goes from September, when a puncture-repair kit clears some extra boot space, while the MX-5 also has a repair kit for space reasons and the Veloster and GTI have temporary spares.DRIVINGDriven on their own, each one of these cars is fun. Well, until you try and cram the weekly groceries into the MX-5 or 86. The droptop Mazda is sharp and responsive, even if the engine is a bit dowdy by today's standards, but the biggest failing is the lack of cabin space. It's a small car that really feels small, especially with the folding roof in place.It really shows its age when we head for pictures at Lakeside raceway outside Brisbane, as the MX-5 - despite brilliant steering and a taut chassis - is actually pretty slow. The Veloster is the most practical in the pack, from its extra-door access to a drivetrain that's quick enough but not overly demanding. It gets along briskly, is quiet on a cruise, and has lots of nice stuff in the cabin. The big glass window in the tail cuts vision and makes the back seat too hot for youngsters, but it's still the sort of car that most fashion-conscious buyers will enjoy. The Korean car is good enough, but the Volkswagen is truly good with a brilliant engine, a responsive DSG gearbox - despite Carsguide complaints about reliability and longevity - and a taut chassis that feels right in all conditions. It's also easy to park, easy to handle, and is only let down by a cabin that's feeling - like the Tiguan driven recently - old and dowdy.It's hard to fault the 86er, which is a landmark sports car from a company that's doing all it can to put personality into its cars. Every drive is fun in the 86, even if it's just a mundane run to the shops, thanks to a car that you wear as much as drive.Ok, the engine is a bit flat and the boot is not huge and I think the dash looks below-par for Toyota quality, but all the ordinary stuff drops away when you hit a twisty road and uncork the car's performance.VERDICTIn this field, and despite so many previous successes, the MX-5 is last. It might be the world's all-time favourite sports car, a sweet drive and a taut package, but it's an old car that costs too much. Even its party trick - that fold-down roof - is not enough to lift it off the bottom.The Veloster is third, despite its practicality and the 'look at me' bodywork. It's competent and great value, nicely youthful inside and well equipped, but not a winner. The Hyundai drives nicely enough, but when you jump into the Golf you realise the Korean maker still has some way to go. It just feels cheaper and less together. The GTI is a Veloster done right, from the driver's seat, with a truly taut chassis, great performance and German quality on the assembly front. The difference between the Hyundai and Volkswagen is rammed home at Lakeside, where the GTI is actually quickest of the crew - thanks to more punch than the 86er - and the Veloster always seems to be nice but not right. So we come to the 86, which wins because it's a sports car for the 21st century.It looks great, is practical and reasonably efficient, and is so much fun to drive. It could do with more punch, and some of the cabin stuff looks and feels cheap, but it's a landmark car at a great price. The only question that remains is how the 86 would have done against a BRZ.For me, and I've driven and lived with both, the Subaru would take a narrow points decision. But, as it stands, the 86 is a knockout winner.

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...

Fuel prices have edged higher in the past week and that's the direction they'll keep going for now.This week the Australian Institute of Petroleum fuel price report shows the national average for unleaded petrol rose by 1.5 cents a litre in the past week to 137.7 cents.The metropolitan average rose by 1.8 cents to 136.3 cents, while the regional average rose by 0.9 cents to 140.5 cents.CommSec chief economist Craig James says: "The bottom line is that motorists should expect petrol prices to edge their way higher if the positive mood on financial markets continues.Filling up the car with petrol is the single biggest weekly purchase for most households, so the future course of petrol prices will be keenly watched by any consumer-dependent business."But surely not so closely as they're being watched by you. With that in mind, we've found the cars that on current prices can be fuelled for about $1000 in a 15,000km driving year.These cars get Carsguide's Triple-F rating - they are all family and fuel friendly. We've used the manufacturers' claims for combined conditions, so if you're driving is mainly urban you'll go north of these numbers; if there's a good open road component it will be south.We've taken broad averages to arrive at our round figures (see below) but they are indicative of what you can achieve with judicious driving and making your visits to the bowser on the days of the lowest pricing.ANNUAL JUICE USE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT:National average price in the 12 months up to Friday July 27 according to Australian Institute of Petroleum15,000km annual averageManufacturer's claim for combined fuel useULP: 134.7 centsDiesel: 137.9 centsFAMILY SEDANToyota Camry HybridPrice: from $34,990Thirst: 5.2L/100km unleadedAnnual juice use: $1068.60If Toyota is synonymous with sci-fi looking hybrids, its best one is cloaked in anonymity. Indeed it doesn't get much more anonymous than a Camry, the Hybrid version of which looks exactly like the common or garden petrol version.It shares the good bits - seven airbags, five-star crash rating and a full-size spare wheel - but its economy is staggering: 5.2L/100km versus 7.8L/100km for the petrol Camry.  It's also quieter. In addition to using one-third less fuel, it costs $130 for each of the five services for the first four years or 75,000km.The price premium - $1,500 more than an equivalent petrol-only model - might pay off but the Hybrid model can tow only 300kg and the boot is slightly smaller. The top version, with near-Lexus levels of luxury, costs $41,490.FAMILY WAGONHyundai i40 Tourer dieselPrice: From $34,490Thirst: 4.7L/100km dieselAnnual juice use: $1,001.10In contrast with the gormless i45, Hyundai has done a great deal of local adaptation work on the i40 sedan. Even if the wagon does not yet have its specially-adapted-for-Oz suspension settings, it is a much better proposition than the i45.That miraculous fuel figure is for the manual, the action of which is a bit like stirring a stick though thick mud. Yet while the auto is claimed to use almost a litre more per 100km, on open road run between Sydney and Brisbane Carsguide recorded only 4.4L/100km.In any case, the sheer driveability of a diesel combined with a good auto makes it preferable. In solely city duty, the i40 is more likely to use above 8.0L, which is surely still worth it given the diesel's open road flair.SMALL SEDANHonda Civic HybridPrice: $35,990Thirst: 4.4L/100km unleadedAnnual juice use: $937.20Honda does a couple of obvious hybrids and one that's far less so. And the Civic version is arguably the best of its breed. The new Civic is a big jump from its distinctly average predecessor. It is up on quality and is simply far better to drive.It uses two power sources - petrol engine and electric motor - but unlike the Camry (and Prius) which can separate the two when needed, in the Civic Hybrid they work in tandem.This is technically simpler but returns higher fuel figures. The Civic Hybrid gets 4.4L/100km against the Prius's 3.9. Still, it's more spacious than the old model and needs smaller batteries so the boot is bigger.The rear seats don't fold down to increase luggage space. It gets a five-star crash rating, electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and six airbags, but a space-saver spare.SMALL HATCHVolkswagen Golf BluemotionPrice: $28,990Thirst: 3.8L/100km dieselUnlinkAnnual juice use: $809.40Golf can be played in a range of colours but the most efficient is blue. In VW-speak, it's BlueMotion, the in-house term for those selected models tuned for maximum economy and minimum emissions.The Golf BlueMotion costs $28,990 $1000 more than the Golf 77TDI that it replaced but comes only with a manual gearbox. But you're prepared the shift for yourself in order to save the planet, aren't you?A plethora of fuel-miser tech here  low-rolling resistance tyres,  stop-start system, brake energy recuperation, slippery aerodynamics, tall gear ratios and a gearshift prompt indicator  are added to the already frugal 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. It's also a brisk performer with Golf's usual excellent handling and ride comfort. It works as well in city traffic as it does loping along a country road.COMPACT SUVMazda CX-5 Maxx Sport dieselPrice: from $39,040Thirst: 5.7L/100km dieselAnnual juice use: $1,214.10This slips us well over the grand mark, but torque isn't always cheap especially not 420Nm of it. CX-5s are selling like cold beers at the cricket because they are at least in diesel form very lively, economical and practical wagons.There's no doubt the CX-5's success is due to it enlarging in the appeal of the Mazda3 hatchback. But it's a better vehicle thanks to the SkyActiv tech that covers body, engine, transmission, suspension and platform. The bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine has class leading economy via its six-speed auto, despite the added weight of all-wheel-drive. Compact enough for comfort in city traffic, it's also very roomy with excellent rear seat leg and head space. The cabin could be a bit more stylish, but it’s simple and the controls are easy to operate. The rear seats split and fold flat. On the road the diesel version slaughters the petrol model.CITY CARFord Fiesta TDCiPrice: from $21,490Thirst: 4.4L/100km dieselAnnual juice use:  $937.10In any guise the Fiesta is well made, affordable and a driver's delight. As a diesel it's also lean running. Made in Thailand, it's big on value. The 88kW/200Nm make this lightweight city car something of a hot hatch, with steering and handling to match.As with other diesels originally derived from Europe, you have to change gear for yourself, though with the arrival of the next EcoBoost petrol engines next year, Ford's excellent twin clutch automatic could become available. Sedan and hatch are identically priced.Though the five door brings the extra load flexibility of its ilk, the sedan's boot approaches that of the next class up in terms of capacity. It'll swallow a monthly grocery shop all right. The diesel is specially calibrated for maximum fuel efficiency and features a coated particulate filter to keep emissions low. The Zetec spec, at $23,490, is worth the extra spend.

If you hate freezing cold mornings then you may not be jumping out of bed at 5am to ride a motorcycle or drive a convertible to work.It's not impossible - the Brits and Germans do it in even colder and nastier weather - but that doesn't make it right. Interesting then that the cold-climate countries are the ones making the best convertibles. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio perfectly reflects how well a convertible can suit icy conditions while being fun to drive and cute to look at. Failing all that, it's a great open-top drive in Spring and Autumn. VALUE Almost as cheap as chips. The single-model Cabrio is $36,990 as a six-speed manual or $39,490 as a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto. Either is great. In perspective, a Mini Cabrio auto is  $42,700, an Audi A3 soft-top is $52,150 and a BMW 120i convertible automatic is $55,480. The Golf wants for nothing - it even has seat heaters.It gets an electric roof, seven airbags, a pollen filter and pollutant sensor in the airconditioner (probably pointless when the roof is down) and Bluetooth with iPod/USB connectivity. It even seats four adults - something most of its rivals can't do, so it's also a family car.DESIGN Volkswagen says it wanted to maintain light weight, have a low body profile with the roof down and yet maintain a snug cabin when the roof is up. It succeeded. It's a very pretty car that doesn't have an awful boot bulge where the folded roof hides.You can actually fit four adults inside and the boot is spacious, but the small and vertically-placed boot opening makes loading awkward. Dash design is all Volkswagen and no complaints, though the right-hand drive conversion puts the pedals close to the driver and limits space for the right foot to cleanly operate the accelerator.  Vision to the rear three-quarter is hampered by the fabric roof, but big side mirrors help out. TECHNOLOGY The sole engine is Volkswagen's 118kW/240Nm 1.4-litre twincharger that combines a supercharger - for low-engine speed boost - and a turbocharger for mid to top-end boost. A few of these engines initially failed and were repaired or replaced under warranty by Volkswagen Australia. It gave the engine a bad reputation but VW says it's no longer a problem so we can now enjoy a clever, quick, fuel-frugal and above all, fun engine to drive.The DSG automatic makes life a bit easier in traffic but the engine better suits the superb six-speed manual. Suspension and brakes are from the Golf, including a sophisticated multi-link rear end for better ride and handling than a torsion beam setup. The electro-hydraulic roof is fabric purely so it folds down tight on the body, doesn't impinge on boot space and is light.SAFETYThe standard Volkswagen offering here of a five-star crash rating, full electronic brake and chassis aids, plus the bonus of seven airbags. The cloth roof requires automatic rollbars that are fired into place when the car senses a rollover. Helping the driver are park sensors, heated side mirrors, auto lights and wipers, LED tail lights and an electronic diff lock.  The spare is a space-saver.DRIVING Expect the same as a Golf and you won't be disappointed. The electric roof zips up in nine seconds and can be moved up to a vehicle speed of 30km/h - handy in a sudden downpour. The dual-clutch transmission is annoyingly jerky off the mark, though can be tempered by being gentle on the accelerator pedal.Performance is neck-snapping though if the DSG is napping and the engine is on stream - like accelerating from a start - there can be an unexpected attempt for the wheels to spin. The ESC holds this in check but there's no subtlety in the process. This is probably why I'd opt for the manual gearbox. Ride comfort is pretty good given the Cabrio gets standard sports suspension.Handling is obviously all Golf, with a solid stance on the road and a positive steering feel and predictable cornering. The fabric roof is very tight so there's no drumming and even road noise is successfully muted. It's not as quiet as the steel-roofed Golf but still perfectly acceptable. My body doesn't feel overly comfortable with the pedals as the right foot is too close to the wheelwell.VERDICT The convertible four-seater market is mainly for the expensive models. This car breaks the mold with affordability, lots of driving appeal and neat looks. Yes, I would!

With all of our sun you'd think drop-tops would be (more-ital) popular here in Australia.The reason they're not is usually because driving a convertible is about as much fun as carrying a water-logged tissue box - almost no structural rigidity, see.But thats not the case with the soft-top Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet; with the top up or down it feels as solid as the proverbial rock. Ordinarily, driving a soft-top can be like riding along with your head inside a bass drum, but the Golf Cabriolet is easily one of the quietest canvas-roofed cars on the planet.And with its 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged engine, its nimble handling and decent ride youre left scratching your head about why youd look further up the tree at the also-topless VW Eos.VALUEWith prices starting at $36,990 for the six-speed manual, and $39,490 for the seven-speed DSG, the Golf Cabriolet undercuts the likes of the VW Eos (from $49,990), C70 Convertible (from $61,950) , Peugeot 308CC (from $50,990), and even the MINI Cabrio (from $40,350).And you get a fair amount of kit for your money, including dual-zone climate control, hill start assist, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity with audio streaming, electric door mirrors, and wireless remote control of the central locking, matte chrome dash and door inserts, 17-inch alloys with 225-series rubber, rain-sensing wipers. More than that, the glovebox can be cooled and the rear seat back has a 50:50 split.TECHNOLOGYUnder the bonnet is Volkswagens familiar 1.4-litre twin-charger unit which combines turbocharging and supercharging for maximum efficiency and oomph. Theres 118kW at 5800rpm and a hefty 240Nm from 1500-4000rpm, mated to the six-speed manual fuel consumption is 6.6L/100km and drops to 6.5L/100km for the not-so-smooth seven-speed DSG.But its the soft roof thats the clever-clogs part of the car. See, usually its impossible to make a canvas roofed car nice and quiet, but the VW engineers have managed to insulate the inner and outer layer and have virtually eliminated wind noise. And, thanks to four roof bows, the canvas roof manages to keep its shape at all times. It takes the electro-hydraulic roof just 9.0 seconds to open and 11.0 seconds to stow, and it can be operated at up to 30km/h.Even more impressive is the fact theres no rollover bar, rather, theres an automatically deployable rollover modules which are triggered when the airbags are deployed. These units are incredibly compact allowing for folding back seat rests rather than just a ski pass-through port.DESIGNObviously based on the Golf, the Golf Cabriolet also shows styling cues from the Audi A3 Convertible (just look at it from the rear three-quarters). But, rather than just be a drop-top Golf, the Cabriolet has its own distinctive and, dare I say it, muscular and sporting look - its certainly more sports car than cabriolet. And with the roof up or down theres a reasonable 250 litres of bootspace.On the inside, the styling is typical VW and that means its ultra practical and easy to use on the fly. But more than that, its also incredibly well screwed together and the material choice is first rate; in this price range no-one makes a better interior.Theres plenty of room in the front seats which are comfortable and supportive, and thanks to the rear-seat entry aid getting into and out of the spacious back seats (which seat two) is an cinch for even a six-footer like me.SAFETYDue to the fact a soft-top carries no reinforcing roof structure, the engineers are required to make the body as strong as possible. And theyve done a great job with the Golf Cabriolet which is free of scuttle shake and feels just about as rigid as a hard-headed Golf.In addition to the stronger body, the Golf Cabriolet has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, runs five airbags, front and rear head restraints, anti-slip regulation, electronic diff lock, stability control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, and much more.DRIVINGThis is a tale of love and hate... around town I found the Golf Cabriolet to be an awkward beast that was forever wheel spinning from a standing start and then lurching through its first two or three gears. Up to about 30-40km/h the seven-speed DSG seems clumsy indeed compared with the six-speed unit we tested in the petrol-powered Yeti the other week.But, once youre up and running the transmission smooths right out offering rifle-bolt precise shifts and a seamless delivery of oomph. The diesel-like 250Nm from 1500-4000rpm makes flattening hills and overtaking an cinch.And the nimble chassis, compliant ride and well-weighted steering means the Golf Cabriolet is anything but a soggy soft-top. Indeed, turn the Golf Cabriolet into a corner and such is its composure and balance, thanks to its lowered sports suspension (similar to the Golf GTI), that it ends up feeling more hot hatch that high street poseur.This is a drop-top for keen drivers and not just hairdressers... indeed, thanks to the roomy back seats and the ease with which you can access them this could - maybe, possibly - even work as a family carVERDICTIn the Golf Cabriolet and the Eos, Volkswagen has two very similar drop-tops, and going into this drive we thought the Cab would pale next to the Eos, rather were left wondering why youd pay the nearly $10,000 more for the Eos. So sorted is the chassis, the braking, and the cars overall balance, and its plenty comfortable inside too that it not only leaves is VW sibling, but also its rivals well behind it.AT A GLANCEVolkswagen Golf Cabriolet 118TSIPrice: From $36,990 (+ORC)Warrenty: Three years, unlimited kilometresResale Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsSafety Rating: five-star ENCAPSpare: space-saving spareEngine: 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinderTransmission: six-speed manual; seven-speed DSGBody: 4.33m (L); 1.72m (W); 1.42m (H)Weight: 1424-1443kgThirst: 6.5-6.6L/100km / 155g/km CO2