Volkswagen Golf review - Practicality & boot space

The latest Golf is actually still based on the same MQB platform as the previous generation car, so interior space is almost identical. Just like before, it's average for the class, with plenty of room for adults and a fairly average-size boot.

Volkswagen Golf interior space & storage

One virtue of the Golf has always been a highly adjustable driving position, and that certainly hasn't changed. The steering wheel has a good range of movement for reach and rake, and the seat can accommodate adults of all shapes and sizes, even those well over six-feet tall. There's just about enough room for three adults in the back, although it's better suited to four people as there's a transmission tunnel running through the middle of the car. If you need more space the Skoda Octavia still rules to roost, but the Ford Focus also has more generous room for rear passengers, with a more comfortable middle position for a fifth passenger.

Visibility is excellent, with a better view out than the more sporty Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series, both of which have a more low-slung shape. Standard front and rear parking sensors help judge distances, but you'll need to pay extra for a rear-view camera, which is standard in some rivals.

Most of the interior storage is also well thought out – as you’d hope for a car in its eighth generation. The phone charging cubby is angled so your phone won’t move around while driving, and the glovebox is deep and useful. The central cubby isn’t as large as the Astra’s, however, and the narrow slot to the left of the gear selector isn’t big enough to be of much use.

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Boot space

Boot space is virtually unchanged at 381 litres, even in the eTSI mild-hybrid version, which has its battery pack hidden under the passenger seat. Fold the rear seats down and there's 1,237 litres of space. This is slightly bigger than the Ford Focus (375 litres), on a par with rivals like the Kia Ceed, but the Honda Civic (478 litres) and Skoda Octavia (590 litres) are much bigger.