The VW Golf is an iconic car with more than 26 million hitting the road since its launch in 1974.

Now the German manufacturer has unveiled its sixth generation Volkswagen Golf to go on sale in the UK in 2009.

Web Editor Adrian Higgins tested the new mkVI Volkswagen Golf in Iceland at the car’s European launch.

View our Volkswagen Golf slide show

With superminis getting bigger manufacturers are introducing and highlighting other selling points to persuade family hatchback buyers they need a more expensive car.

This has seen carmakers introduce features and quality more commonly found on cars from the next price bracket up and that is exactly what Volkswagen has done with the sixth generation VW Golf.

We tested the new VW Golf in Iceland and as the cars came into view on our trip from the airport one wag offered: “Well I can see the fifth generation models – haven’t you got any of the new ones?”

Evolutionary design

And in truth the evolution of the VW Golf from fifth generation to sixth generation has not resulted in a radical redesign – in fact it sits on the same platform as the outgoing model.

But look more closely and you’ll spot the vertical grille on the fifth generation car has been replaced by horizontal lines framed by new headlights, there is a new shoulder line and the rear styling has been updated. There are also hints of the design direction indicated by the new VW Scirocco.

However, it is the interior which has undergone a more substantial revision and our high specification test car lived up to expectations raised by Volkswagen’s claim that it creates an environment one would expect from a more expensive car.

VW’s confidence was highlighted by the fleet of Volkswagen Phaetons which ferried a plane-full of journalists to the test cars – with the German manufacturer indicating its flagship limo was the benchmark of quality against which improvements had been measured.

Finish standards, materials and comfort levels are excellent in the new VW Golf while new white backlit dials also promote the view that the new car now offers a smarter driving environment.

More luxurious, quieter

The experience only improves once the car is in motion. In-car comfort has been a big priority for Volkwagen and the attention to detail which has gone into noise-reduction has included reshaping the wing mirrors to reduce interior noise. Thicker window glass, new door seals, and better damping also contribute to a very quiet driving experience with road, wind and engine noise all reduced.

At launch the VW Golf will be available with a choice of four petrol and two diesel engines: a naturally-aspirated (non-turbo or supercharged) 80bhp 1.4-litre model, a 122bhp 1.4-litre TSI model, a 160bhp 1.4-litre TSI twincharger engine and a 102bhp 1.6-litre in addition to a choice of 110bhp and 140bhp 2-litre TDI all of which VW claims return much improved fuel economy against predecessors.

Most engines will be offered with a choice of five- or six-speed manual or six- or seven-speed DSG automatic gearboxes.

We drove the 122bhp 1.4-litre petrol model combined with the seven-speed DSG gearbox – a very good combination which provided plenty of power, a great engine noise and smooth, well-timed gear changes.