Volkswagen Golf

Family car celebrates its 50th birthday with an update, including much-improved infotainment On sale Now Price from £27,035

- Dan Jones

THE YEAR 1974 was a pretty busy one. What Car? had its first birthday, Richard Nixon resigned as US President, the Terracotta Army was discovered, Abba won the Eurovision song contest and, most relevantly, the Volkswagen Golf was introduced to the world.

In the 50 years since, the Golf has become one of the most recognisable family cars out there, evolving over the years but maintaining a strong family resemblance. Volkswagen is proud of that fact and maintains that it'll remain recognisable even if (or when) the Golf goes electric.

That's a discussion for the future, though. Right now, the Golf has been treated to a mid-life facelift. But what has changed? Well, exterior tweaks are limited to reshaped bumpers, new LED headlights and new wheel designs. The most identifiable difference is an optional illuminated VW badge.

Inside, the change that strikes you first is the new 12.9in infotainment touchscreen atop the centre of the dashboard. It's the same system that you'll find in the new Volkswagen Passat and a vast improvement on what the Golf had previously. Not only is the new software easier to use, with sharp graphics, logical menus and customisable shortcuts on the home screen, but it's also no longer plagued by bugs.