Volkswagen Golf Prices and Specifications

S is the cheapest model of Golf, so does without smart-looking alloy wheels and has steel wheels with plastic hubcaps instead. An eight-inch touchscreen is standard and it comes with a Bluetooth phone connection, eight speakers and a digital radio. You also get a multifunction trip computer, air-con, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, electric mirrors and stop/start engine technology.

It's worth paying the extra for the next model up – the S just feels too basic for a Volkswagen.

Think of Match as the old SE trim, but with loads more kit for no extra money.

It includes new 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, auto-folding mirrors with puddle lights and front fog lights. Inside you still get adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, auto wipers, DAB radio and Bluetooth.

GT models get sporty looks – but not quite as sporty as R-Line cars – and a helping of extra equipment compared to SE models. It's the one to go for if you want a really posh-feeling Golf. More aggressive styling comes thanks to the car's 17-inch alloy wheels and sports suspension, while inside you get ambient lighting and sports seats. Otherwise you get the same kit as SE cars – so automatic cruise control and rain-sensing wipers – plus fully integrated sat-nav.

R-Line models look like the sporty GTI but without that car's high running costs. They get sporty front and rear bumpers, a roof spoiler, side skirts and an R-Line-specific grille. Aside from these upgrades, the kit list is exactly as you get in GT models, so includes sat-nav, automatic cruise control, auto lights and wipers, all-round parking sensors and interior ambient lighting.