A staggering 26 million Volkswagen Golfs have been sold over six generations since its 1974 launch. No wonder its one of the top two most searched for cars on Auto Trader.

And with so much at stake it’s not surprising the latest model – the sixth generation – is more evolution than revolution.

Stuart Milne has driven the new VW Golf in the UK; here’s what he thought.

Trace the Volkswagen Golf range back through its three decade-long history, and there’s a clear design lineage. You’ll not find any BMW-style radicalism here.

And that means the Mk6 Golf is as handsome as it’s ever been, this time adopting a new look that debuted in 2008 with the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe.

Look at the new model in isolation and the latest style is not immediately apparent, but parked side-by-side its clear some serious work has been undertaken. In fact, apart from the roof skin, all of the bodywork you can touch is new.

The interior still has an air of familiarity, but it is curvier and more upmarket than the cabin of the previous model, and retains the build quality for which Volkswagen is renowned.

The instrument panel has been completely redesigned, with the dials recessed into cowlings, and white illumination replaces the traditional blue lighting. Ergonomics are improved too, with switches angled towards the driver.

Read our Volkswagen Golf European launch verdict

Comfort class

Volkswagen has done a great deal of work to improve sound proofing. Seals around the windows and doors have been improved, and a new type of engine mounting shows superb attention to detail.

But that’s nothing compared to addressing the sound damping in the laminated layers between the sheets of glass in the windscreen. Its the quietest Golf yet.

Armed with a sound monitor, we drove a 1.4 SE model back to back with an identical car from the previous generation. The results were impressive, with noise reductions of between 10 and 20 per cent at idle, under acceleration and constant speed at both 40mph in fourth and 60mph in sixth.

Most slippery Golf yet

Outside, the more slippery shape – with a drag coefficient of just 0.31, the same as the famously aerodynamic Mk5 Golf Bluemotion – helps to reduce noise, fuel consumption, emissions and improve refinement further.

Out on the road, the new car has direct and responsive steering and it feels planted and surefooted through the bends with very little bodyroll. Despite this, the ride is excellent. Predictably some of this delicacy is lost in the sport-orientated GT model, and bizarrely the 15-inch wheel-shod 1.6 S seemed to generate more road noise than the 16-inch alloy wheel-equipped 1.4 TSI SE.

Should you want a softer or firmer ride, Volkswagen will offer the Adaptive Chassis Control system which we’ve tried extensively in other cars, including the Volkswagen Scirocco and Audi TT, from the middle of 2009.

But even without ACC, the Golf is always capable of raising a smile, and the Golf GTi hot hatch version, which will go on sale towards the end of 2009, should be a wonderful drivers’ car.

Six engines are available from launch; four petrol and two diesels, and VW claims fuel consumption improvements of up to 28 per cent. The diesels – which are expected to make up 60 per cent of sales – are both new two-litre units, developing 110PS and 140PS.

View our Volkswagen Golf slide show

Fun and frugal

The 110PS engine, which will power a quarter of all Golfs sold in the UK develops 185lb/ft of pulling power at just 1,750rpm. And although performance is sufficient for most – 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 118mph – economy is paramount. It emits 128g/km of CO2, placing it in the £120 tax band C. It can cover an average of 57.6mpg, which combined with a 55-litre fuel tank, gives the car a theoretical range of 700 miles.

The pokier 140PS version produces a useful 236lb/ft between 1,750 and 2,500rpm and is available with a six-speed manual or DSG semi-automatic gearbox. Headline figures are 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds, a top speed of 130mph 57.6mpg average and CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The petrol line-up comprises of a 1.4-litre 80PS, 1.6 102PS and a pair of 1.4s offering 122PS and 160PS.

The smallest engine can accelerate the Golf to 62mph in 13.9 seconds, while returning 44.1mpg and emitting 149g/km of CO2, although we’ve yet to sample this engine.

Move to the 1.6 and performance improves to produce an 11.3 second 0-62mph time and a 117mph maximum. It’ll return 39.8mpg and emit 166g/km of CO2. The engine is fairly coarse, and even though it’s only available with the S trim, we’d expect most buyers to spend around £700 more for the far better 122PS 1.4 TSI unit.

Read our Volkswagen Golf European launch verdict

That engine packs a turbocharger to develop more power than you’d expect for such a small package. It is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox, the latter employs clever clutches which won’t overheat and are designed to last the life of the car. Zero to 62mph is dispatched in 9.5 seconds, and 124mph is possible, while fuel consumption is said to average 45.6mpg (47.9 for DSG) and CO2 emissions are 144g/km (138g/km DSG).

A higher power version of the same engine is also available, and is the hottest Golf until the GTi arrives. The 160PS 1.4 has a supercharger and a turbocharger, and will propel the car to 62mph in 8 seconds before reaching a 137mph maximum. Again, running costs are impressive, with a claimed average of 44.8mpg (47.1 DSG) while CO2 emissions are 145g/km (139g/km DSG)

Top marks for safety

The VW Golf retains its five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating for adult protection. It scores four stars out of five for child protection and three stars out of five for pedestrian safety.

Seven airbags are fitted as standard for the first time, and a knee bag is included for the driver. Other highlights include the latest generation of VW’s whiplash-reducing active headrests, and the newest version of ESP from the VW Group.

Three trim levels are offered from launch: S, SE and GT, and all models feature air-conditioning, a CD player and body-coloured trim as standard. The SE adds cruise control, auxiliary audio input, rear electric windows (five-door only), 16-inch alloy wheels and automatic headlights and wipers.

Topping the range – for now – is the GT, which comes equipped with sports suspension, lowered by 15mm; front fog lights which ‘corner’ with the car, alcantara sports front seats and 17-inch alloys.

Volkswagen will offer additional equipment in the hot GTi model, and fuel and CO2-saving kit with the green Bluemotion model, which is expected to emit just 99g/km of CO2.

So is the Golf still among the best? Certainly. The engaging drive remains, but its refinement is likely to appeal to buyers trading down from larger cars – and the reduced running costs are a benefit for all.

Key facts

Models tested: Volkswagen Golf S 1.6-litre 102PS 5-door 5-speed manual
On the road price: £14,372.
Price range: £12,875 – £20,537
Date tested: January 2009.
Road tester: Stuart Milne