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2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
 
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VW Golf Trendline
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Two all new models, the VW Golf Trendline and Mazda3 Neo, along with clever repackaging of the long-serving Nissan Pulsar ST sedan, have taken the top three. To do so they had to squeeze out some very good cars including previous winners, the Subaru Impreza and Holden Astra. Such is the high level of quality, on-road ability and competitive pricing in this class. The stylish-looking Mazda3 Neo took the early running with its strong on-road ability, excellent comfort and user-friendly positioning of the driver controls (ergonomics). Performance of the Mazda3 Neo's 2.0 litre DOHC engine is strong but you do pay the price in higher fuel consumption, which although not excessive is worse than average for this class. While the Mazda3 scores consistently well over all 19 criteria, the real surprise package, and our winner for this year, is the recently released Volkswagen Golf Trendline 5-door Hatchback. The 1.6-litre Golf is a car that does have a couple of lows, however these are far outweighed by its strengths. Golf is one of the higher priced cars in this category and you will lose a few more dollars on re-sale, but what you get for the extra money is an equipment-packed car with class-leading safety, security and build quality. Like Mazda3, the Golf's excellent ergonomics make it a very easy car to drive. Engine performance is good for a 1.6-litre but it is a smaller capacity than most in this class and was found wanting, particularly on hills, when compared against the 1.8 and 2.0-powered vehicles. Better performance can be found in the 2.0 litre petrol and diesel powered versions but you will pay more and, according to Volkswagen, the 1.6 litre is its top-selling model. On the road, all the judges were impressed by the Golf's solid feel, quiet and comfortable ride, surefooted handling and excellent braking. For the budget conscious buyer, Nissan's decision to add extra standard features and reduce the price of its Pulsar ST sedan has transformed what has always been considered a good mid-size car into an excellent value for money package. The Pulsar is a steady performer on the road. It does what most people would expect from this type of car, but is not quite as good as the class leaders in this area.
Top 5
Previous Results
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