Car Statistics: Volkswagen - Golf Plus Series 05 (3 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

A slightly pudgy take on the Golf, and one that lacks most of its standard sister's visual appeal. Rear lights look very cheap and aftermarket.

Handling (3 stars)

Reasonable considering the Golf Plus's tall dimensions. Not as much fun to drive as a Golf, but still composed over a back road.

Comfort (4 stars)

Soft suspension settings help the Plus to turn in an impressively pliant driving experience.

Quality (4 stars)

Well screwed together - just like a Golf should be.

Performance (2 stars)

Limited range of engines don't offer much in the way of performance, especially when asked to cope with full loads. 1.6 FSI petrol and 1.9 TDI diesel motors are decent enough, but the closest the range gets to performance is the 138 bhp 2.0 litre TDI diesel.

Roominess (4 stars)

Slightly bigger than a Golf in every dimension - but not as practical or as spacious as

Costs (3 stars)

Economical engines mean it won't bankrupt you at the pumps, but long-term residuals are still unproven. It might well end up losing more money than the standard Golf.

Value (3 stars)

Slightly more expensive than the Golf, but pricey compared to rival products from other manufacturers.

Stereo (3 stars)

Like the Golf, the standard audio system works well and benefits from nice, big buttons. Satnav is the same system as is offered in the Golf, but is more expensive, which seems pretty miserly.