CAR magazine's Angus MacKenzie looks back at 50 years of the landmark VW hatchback – and explains why it nearly didn't happen ...

The GTI tends to get the lion's share of the love from VW hot hatch enthusiasts, but its meatier sibling also represents an excellent used bargain.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI was the original hot hatch ... as well – perhaps more so than any Golf since the (lighter) Mk5. The brakes are solid too, with good pedal modulation.

Despite looking very similar to the outgoing mk6 Golf – which was itself just a rehash of the 2004 mk5 – the mk7 is an all-new car, and one based on Volkswagen’s very clever (if slightly ...

It’s important to carefully check the trims of the car you’re interested in to make sure that you’re getting the features you want, and aren’t overpaying for those you don’t want.