When you drive a different car every single week, you’re often asked which one you’d actually spend your hard-earned cash on.

The obvious answer is the Audi RS8 or Mercedes SLK, but the realistic answer is probably the Volkswagen Golf.

A perennial favourite in the Volkswagen line-up, the Golf has sold more than 26 million cars in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time.

Recently honoured as this year’s ‘World Car of the Year’, the sixth generation Golf is available with a choice of four advanced petrol and two common rail diesel engines.

With new lights, a new grille and some subtle changes to the outline, the Golf’s appearance never really dates and the modest 1.4 model that I was driving was surprisingly sprightly and refined.

There’s also masses of seat and steering adjustment and ample space around the driver.

For the first time, Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) is offered on the Golf, allowing the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.

Standard features include ABS (anti-lock braking system) with HBA (hydraulic brake assist) and CBA (comfort brake assist).

This Golf is also the safest yet, with a standard seven airbags installed, including a driver’s kneebag, and a new head restraint system that aims to reduce whiplash injuries.

Factfile

Car: Volkswagen Golf GT

Engine: 1.4-litre/1390

On the road: £18,595

Top speed: 137mph

0-62mph: 8 seconds

CO2 emissions: 145g/km

Fuel economy: 44.8mpg (combined)

Insurance group: 7