VW is our favourite family hatch, and you could find out for yourself why we love it for under £10 a day
VOLKSWAGEN’S Golf is the undisputed champion of the family hatchback class – and it could be yours for just £8.56 per day.
The 1.0 TSI engine made its debut in the Mk7.5 Golf last year in response nse to the swing back towards petrol power er after the Dieselgate emissions scandal. al. While its 108bhp power output might ht not sound all that much, it has a stout 200Nm of torque thanks to its small turbo, so it rolls along with a relaxed feel, delivering adequate performance. The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.9 seconds.
However, it’s the way that the Golf isolates you from everything that’s so nice. It’s a high-quality product that feels it inside, but this refinement and unruffled ride don’t cloud how good the Golf is to drive. Precise steering, a rewarding gearchange for a family hatch and good body control mean you can carry more speed than you’d imagine – as well as five people and plenty of luggage, thanks to the 380-litre boot.
SE Navigation spec is the sweet spot in the range, balancing kit and cost. Sat-nav is standard as part of an eightinch colour touchscreen that includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Allround parking sensors, adaptive cruise and autonomous braking feature, too.
With a 15 per cent deposit of £3,110, plus a £1,500 contribution from VW, the car won’t break the bank to buy on finance, and should be cheap to run thanks to 58.9mpg claimed economy, as well as CO2 emissions of 109g/km.
ELECTRIC cars really are becoming ing more viable propositions for many, any, so it could be time to switch to an EV, such as the brand new Nissan Leaf.
The Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car, and for good reason. This new, second-generation model builds on the success of the original with some cutting-edge tech. Nissan has introduced its ‘e-pedal’, which provides enough deceleration when you lift off the accelerator to bring the car to a stop.
The interior and infotainment are a big step up and the Leaf is as spacious as a conventional family hatch, boosted by its 435-litre load capacity.
However, a car’s range is a big part of practicality with an EV, and with the new Leaf’s 40kwh battery meaning a claimed 235-mile total range, there’s more than enough flexibility here.
Instant performance from the 148bhp electric motor means 0-62mph takes 7.9 seconds, with excellent acceleration off the line. The near-silent powertrain ensures refinement is strong as well.
A full recharge with the Leaf takes 7.5 hours using a wallbox or between 40 and 60 minutes for an 80 per cent top-up using a 50kw rapid charger.
With a 20 per cent deposit of £5,000 on the Acenta model – which gets Android Auto and Apple Carplay, plus a reversing camera – Nissan will throw in £1,000 on top. So you’ll pay just £9.30 per day for one of the newest and most advanced cars on the market, with a very usable mileage limit of 7,500 per year.