1.6 Comfort 5dr Auto Hatchback

Spacious, comfortable, good-looking car with super-smooth automatic transmission

Automatic transmission elevates any car by several levels of luxury, and this otherwise ordinary - albeit handsome - hatchback is closer in driving enjoyment to my former Jaguar Sovereign than to the diesel Golf it replaced. It is roomier than the Mk4 Golf, the seats are at least as comfortable, it corners much more confidently, and it looks modern rather than staid. I couldn't believe how quickly it bounded off from rest when I test-drove it, and with time it has proved quite fast enough around urban areas. The automatic gearbox is actually smoother than I remember from my time with the Jaguar, and - shock, horror! - I enjoy driving it more than a Porsche I had until last year (but not for performance, obviously). There are only two downsides to this (petrol) model: the fuel consumption is a bit high at an average in the low thirties, and the ride is a little firm. I've got used to the ride quality, but I will never find acceptable the intermittent and deeply puzzling rattle from the depths of the dashboard. These reservations aside, my wife and I are very pleased with this car.

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