Influential magazine Consumer Reports has picked the VW Golf as the winner of its latest group test, rating it the highest in the small four-door hatchback category. Judges picked the Golf over strong competitors such as the Mazda3 and Ford Focus because of its solid feel and “well-finished interior.”

Other top contenders beaten by the Golf include Subaru’s Impreza Outback Sport, the Saturn (Opel) Astra, Toyota Matrix, Mini Clubman and the Scion xD. Despite the Golf’s first place positioning, judges also gave the Mazda3, Scion xB, Nissan Versa and the Honda Fit strong recommendations. Small hatchbacks are becoming popular in America once again due to rising fuel prices and the weak economy, which is causing consumers to search for economically viable personal transportation. The small and fuel-efficient cars are being sought after more than hybrids vehicles chiefly due to the high initial costs of the latter and the similar fuel-efficiency afforded by the former.

Consumer Reports also claim small hatchbacks are “more sensible than similar-sized sedans” as they are easier to load with larger packages and can be used like “miniature SUVs”. The full report will be published in the June issue of the magazine.


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I guess that Golf V ain't that bad as you think, huh Raoul?

I don't know what Raoul says, all I know is that the Golf is one of the best hatchbacks on the market and has probably the best interior in terms of quality.

Not to sure about the quality, last time I sat in a golf it felt about cheap compared to a A3

Maybe feels cheap compared to an A3 but it is around £3k cheaper for a basic model. I dont think the quality of the interior, at least, matches that of the mk IV. Still a nice car though!

Taking in consideration today's Toyota Auris and such, the Golf for sure lacks in quality department (for what concern interior and also being 6-7 yo already), but overall, in log-term, it still feels way better than competition...apparently...

Oh, and way better than Golf IV, in every possible way...

I agree with you on that although I know certain membre francais probably won't. It's just that for some reason I can't stand the looks of the Golf IV, especially the front.

Word!

I'll take a one, or a GTI.

M

Am I that bad with the Golf V?



Well well well... Consumers Reports don't seem to get any more serious it seems... Do you believe them now??

Honestly, the interior of an Astra feels and looks better than the one in the Golf V...for me at least. I reckon the Golf is a very sensible choice in the hatchbacks category. Surely the best hatchback you can get today.

However the V has lost the "magic" of the previous generations of Golf. They had somethig more, really the Daddy of the category, serious and cool in the same time. And you hardly could compare a Megane, Corolla or 306 to a Golf IV... Now even the Kia Cee'd is a serious competitor to the Golf V.

I don't hate the Golf V, I only think it has lost the secret of the Golf. It's only another hatch, reliable, not bad-looking, comfortable and vast...

The Golf I, II, III and IV were more than just that.

And even if the V is better than the IV in every single department bar the interior finish and materials (and the design for some persons), the IV feels more premium to drive. Less boring, less ordinary. It feels like a bigger car.

And I can't stand the design of the V...

Really, the Golf V is a very good car. But it doesn't feel or look like a Golf.
I think the same for the Passat, the previous model was really superb for the category, the actual one is only another good car.