Volkswagen Golf VI overview
Range overview: petrol or diesel; manual or automatic; almost all front-wheel drive (Golf R has all-wheel drive); hatchback, cabriolet and estate body styles
Reliability: average for class
Cost to repair: more expensive than average
Most common: Volkswagen Golf Comfortline
Best for economy and long-distance driving: Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI
Best for urban driving: Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI
Our favourite performance version: Volkswagen Golf GTI
Revealed to the world in 2008, the Volkswagen Golf VI was actually a major revamp of the Golf V rather than an all-new car. It hit the Irish market in 2009.
The VW Golf VI was offered in three- and five-door hatchback body styles throughout its lifecycle. A two-door Golf Cabriolet never sold well in Ireland, so was only on sale for a short period, while the estate version of the Golf VI - actually a Golf V underneath - was never officially offered by Volkswagen Ireland.
On driving the Golf VI for the first time, CompleteCar.ie summarised: "Volkswagen has been conservative with its sixth generation Golf's styling, but the overall package is significantly improved. Building on the Golf's reputation for quality, the new car really does feel above its key rivals for interior ambience, comfort and refinement. It drives better than ever too, and should you have deep pockets you can specify it with the sort of equipment that used to be exclusively reserved for the executive class."
Next section: Engine and range options for the Volkswagen Golf VI