To the untrained eye, Volkswagen's Golf Plus won't register as anything exceptional. It shares much of the basic silhouette as the normal Golf, but park the two cars side by side and you'll realise the Plus is a little taller, the windscreen rising at a sharper angle and the rear end slightly reprofiled. Grafting another 95mm of headroom into the Golf hasn't created a super-versatile mini-MPV but it does offer another option for Golf buyers who thought they were pushed for space. Buyers with a practical bent will also likely choose one of the three excellent diesel engines offered.

True, the total loading capacity rises to 505 litres, but given that the Golf Plus is no longer or wider than a standard Golf, virtually all of that additional stowage space is nestling against the ceiling, that is in the position which is least often used. So what's the point? It's a question many asked on the Golf Plus press event and Volkswagen point to a little extra utility and the Plus' ability to carry bulky objects. Given that the price differential isn't that large over a normal Golf, perhaps there is a slot in the market into which this unusual car can fit.

Volkswagen have resisted the temptation to jemmy in seven seats and have instead concentrated on making the five seats and luggage bay as practical as possible. The rear seats can be shifted fore and aft by 160mm and folded by means of a new system to Volkswagen which means that they are automatically lowered when folded down. This results in a virtually level load space, making the Golf Plus a very practical option indeed. The seats do the usual 60:40 split and the middle seat can also be folded down to form a drinks table. Additional stowage spaces around the cabin and a double height boot floor are nice touches but once again, the Golf Plus throws up more questions than answers. After all, these features could probably have been integrated into the Golf without too much of a headache.

"Volkswagen are hoping that tall is this season's look"

Ford faced similar confusion amongst customers when the Fusion was launched - itself a taller, bulkier Fiesta. Volkswagen claim the Golf Plus is likely to attract buyers without families, or possibly with small families, who require more room and flexibility than the traditional hatchback can offer. One benefit of basing the Golf Plus on the Golf Mk V chassis is that it has an excellent start to life, the electro-mechanical steering feel and composed body control being leagues ahead of most of the opposition. It also retains the basic stance of the Golf. The interior keeps the Golf Plus at the top of the family hatch tree. It uses a fascia design reminiscent of the Phaeton luxury saloon although the centre console is lifted from the Touran mini-MPV. Trim levels for diesel buyers run from Luna through SE to Sport.

Three TDI turbo diesel engines are on offer. There are two versions of the 1.9-litre unit developing either 90 or 103bhp or a rather ritzier 2.0-litre powerplant that generates a healthier 138bhp. All engines are well worth seeking out, especially after you've driven them back to back with the petrol Golf powerplants, the 2.0-litre TDI being 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. The 103bhp unit is no slouch though and will get to 60mph in 11 seconds and top out at 116mph. It's also likely to prove the bigger seller. Fuel economy of all engines is excellent, the 1.9-litre 103bhp unit averaging 56.4mpg and the 2.0-litre faring almost as well at an impressive 52.2mpg. If you go for the 1.9-litre TDI in 103bhp guise, you can also go for the Golf Plus Dune model, which features a rather handsome selection of SUV-style add-ons. Then there's the BlueMotion derivative that also uses the 1.9-litre TDI engine but features aerodynamic tweaks and other modifications that maximise fuel economy.

The diesels are also both Euro IV-compliant so we can drive around with a warmly sanctimonious air, knowing that we're doing our bit for the environment. The emissions figures for the 1.9 and 2.0-litre engines are among the class best. The 1.9-litre car is fitted as standard with a five-speed gearbox but the 2.0-litre TDI gets six cogs as standard. Both also get the option of the revolutionary DSG twin-clutch sequential gearbox.

Volkswagen have made great strides concerning the refinement of these TDI engines and the effects are palpable as soon as you turn the key. The TDI system was once derided as being far less effective than the new wave of 'common rail' diesel engines that have become popular and in terms of refinement, Volkswagen's solution has lagged behind. No longer: the difference is now virtually negligible.

If you're interested in the technicalities, both of these Golf diesel engines work on the basis of so-called direct injection, a system intended to make better use of every drop of diesel. The injectors on all four cylinders are controlled by a single powerful electronic control unit (ECU) which carefully controls the amount and mixture of fuel passing through into each cylinder. For engineers, the obvious next step is for each cylinder to have its own ECU unit; the fuel amount and mixture can then be even more carefully monitored and even greater efficiency achieved. This is the basic concept behind the new 'second generation' of 'common rail' diesels - engines that Volkswagen says it's developing in its own time. The big bonus of Volkswagen's TDI system is that it's relatively easy to liberate big power outputs.

The Golf Plus diesel range fits a very small but specific niche and is never destined to be a huge seller. Despite its fundamental quality, it's neither as pretty nor as affordable as the basic Golf hatch and expounding the car's benefits to a sceptical public is going to be a tough task. Possibly the best way to put customers into a Golf Plus is to park one next to a Touran. All things are relative, you see.

TOP 5 GOLF PLUS DEALS

The results below show the top GOLF PLUS deals on buyacar

	Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.9 BlueMotion TDI DPF 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £278	Saving £1,948	Price £14,847
	Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.4 Luna TSI 5dr DSG 122 Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £288	Saving £1,954	Price £14,891
	Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.4 SE TSI 5dr DSG 122 Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £302	Saving £2,050	Price £15,670
	Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.4 SE TSI 5dr 122 Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £273	Saving £1,896	Price £14,449
	Volkswagen Golf Plus 2.0 Sport TDI PD DPF 5dr DSG Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £347	Saving £2,378	Price £18,372

typical 10.44% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000