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What do you think of the Volkswagen Golf match or Audi Sportback as a small family car?

My partner is replacing her 5-year-old Skoda Fabia Classic with either a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Match 5-door or an Audi Sportback 1.6TDI SE. Both of these are similarly priced, however the Golf is more generous with its equipment specification. We would like to know if there are any problems with these cars and what your thoughts would be if you were in the market for an economical small family car?

Asked on 14 July 2010 by Carl Ryan

Answered by Honest John
Readers report poorer than expected certificated economy. I haven't driven the Leon ECOmotive, but on paper it's almost too good to be true. I'd also consider the Hyundai i30 and KIA Cee'd 1.6 CRDIs, particularly those without DPFs as the engines are chain cam. You didn't mention mileage, but any VAG car with a DPF and combustion chamber-fuelled regeneration could prove unsuitable for short runs.

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