Ref. 31020-40The Golf is one of the best cars ever made stylish, well built and totally reliable. Five of us, all owners of Golfs of varying age and models, had a look and tested the new Golf which is now in its fifth metamorphosis. Leigh Robinson and his colleagues report on the five series

So this car has got all the experts excited with even Jeremy Clarkson presenting the new Golf with the best hatch award by the BBC Top Gear programme.

Oh yes it's good; in fact it's very good. But it has to be said it's ugly.

It's as if the designers of all the previous models decided: " Now we've made this better and better each time we tweak it, will anyone notice if it's not so good looking."

And that's what has happened and the new Golf looks just like many of the other jelly moulds on our roads. The new Golf could be a Skoda, Ford Mondeo or a Seat. Take your pick, looks wise, it could be one of many.

But then get in, put your foot down, drive more than 500 miles on one tank of petrol at speeds of up to and over 100mph (on a test track, of course) and you think: Looks aren't everything, are they?

They say sales are not going that well in Germany and lots of toys have to be included to encourage buyers, but in the UK sales have exceeded expectations. But where are they? You don't see that many on the main roads where you can guarantee a Volkswagen every mile from eight in the morning to six at night.

After the Top Gear award the Golf also took outright victory at What Car? magazines prestigious Car of the Year Awards 2004 earlier this year.

Customers seem to be in agreement with the road-testers, as orders are currently running at around 20 per cent above target.

As supply builds and new variants join the range these include the 2.0 SDI, 2.0 TDI with DSG gearbox, plus three-door models sales are projected to increase further.

UK sales of the few remaining Mk IV models were strong at the beginning of the year which is all the more remarkable because the most famous Golf of all the GTI is not due to arrive until the end of this year.

The forthcoming version, previewed as a concept at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, will hark back to the much-loved Mk I version, with a red surround to the grille, racy interior and classic 'GTI' badging.

Its 200 PS FSI turbocharged engine will appeal to keen drivers, as will a more sporting set-up of the new Golf's highly-praised chassis, which features multi-link rear suspension.

As with the previous generation, a high-powered diesel is the top selling model. The potent 2.0 GT TDI, with 140 PS, has accounted for over a quarter of all sales for the year to date. The Golf Mk IV sold in greatest numbers with the TDI 130 PS engine, and was the UK's top-selling diesel car in 2002.

This sales success follows the Golf's overall steady increase in popularity over its 30-year lifetime. In the UK, annual sales have climbed from 19,069 in 1975, through 31,145 in 1985, 44,111 in 1995 and up to 72,362 in 2002 the Golf's best year in the UK to date. Even in 2003 the previous generation's final year on sale the Golf enjoyed its second best year so far.

The vehicle we tested was the Golf SE 1.9 TDI 5dr which on the road is £16,180 which includes £623 (delivery, number plates, VAT, £115 VED (band A) and £38 registration fee).

The top speed is 116 mph and it gets 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds. It does 42 miles per gallon in urban conditions; 61 on a run and an average of just over 53. The tank capacity contains 55 litres and there is a three year guarantee. Servicing is variable.

For more details or a test drive contact Mann Egerton near Junction 16 in Frankland Road, Swindon SN5 8SU or call 01793 600010.