Think of a quality family hatchback and it's hard not to think of a Volkswagen Golf. Britain has always been one of Wolfsburg's favourite markets - and particularly so with the latest Mark V version we have here at present. A Golf will cost you slightly more than an equivalent Astra or Focus but for me, the style and quality of the product makes the extra cash worthwhile.

With the Golf, Volkswagen talk about 'democratising luxury'; taking expensive build quality and advanced technology and bringing it within reach of the normal person's pocket. Other competitors claim to have done this but in my view, it's the Golf that truly sets the standard. Take a seat behind the wheel and the fit and finish is so much better, every switch and stalk working with the kind of quality click you'd expect to find in something much more expensive. I recognised the fascia design from the £50,000 Phaeton luxury saloon (no bad thing), although the centre console is lifted from the Touran mini-MPV. With the possible exception of its pricier Volkswagen Group cousin, the Audi A3, the cabin has the beating of anything out there as regards ambience. The interior features soft-feel slush-moulded plastics, high-quality switches, subtle use of chrome, fabric-covered A-pillars plus blue instrument backlighting with red needles, a signature of the fourth generation model. I also liked the 2Zone climate control and four-way lumbar support fitted to my TDI test car. In addition, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), no fewer than six airbags as well as anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard throughout the range. Big car features such as automatic activation of headlamps and wipers are built into the car's electronics. Trim levels run from S through Match and GT Sport to, of course, GTi and the mighty R32.

Both three and five door models are available but you can also opt for the greater practicality of the Golf Plus or the Golf Estate. The entry-level petrol hatches are powered by a choice of a 80bhp 1.4-litre unit or a higher-tech 1.6-litre FSi unit developing 115bhp. Otherwise there's a 122bhp 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged engine or the 200bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged in the GTi. That leaves the TSI turbocharged and supercharged models packing either 140bhp or 170bhp from a 1.4-litre petrol engine as well as the range-topping 3.2-litre V6 in the R32 model. There's also the choice of diesels including a 1.9-litre unit plus a newer 2.0 TDI packing either 140 or 170bhp. The 2.0 TDI 140 unit was the one I tried and was especially impressive. This engine will punt the big-boned Golf through 60mph in 9 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph, making it a brilliant long distance cruiser.

This, I found, was a car that will please those with an eye for thoroughness and attention to detail. A very German, German car that, but for a few detail criticisms, sets a class standard unlikely to be bettered any time soon.