Volkswagen Golf review - the ultimate family hatchback? - Interior and tech

The Golf’s interior might lack the flair of some of its numerous rivals’ cabins, but there’s no denying its integrity. The build quality is superb and the materials are mostly of a quality that could see them compete in the class above. There’s a real simplicity to how it all looks and that translates to user-friendly operation.

There’s a central touch screen that senses your hand approaching, raising any menus in anticipation, while some models have full gesture control. Connectivity features like CarPlay are available and high-end models use a TFT display in front of the driver rather than conventional dials.

Beyond that the Golf doesn’t really offer anything extraordinary in the class it competes in, but then everything it does deliver is beautifully integrated and executed.

Space is good front and rear, with plenty of head- and leg room for all. The boot’s a useful size and shape, too, with a double floor that lets you raise the height (and create an underfloor cubby that’s big enough to store the parcel shelf when it’s not needed) and also create a flat floor with the seatbacks folded.