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The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF PLUS

The extra space is useful, but it's no MPV

Used Volkswagen Golf Plus MPV 2005 - 2009

VWs hold on to their value better than most rivals. A three-year-old Golf Plus will still be worth 60% of the original asking price, which makes it easily 20% more expensive than most cars in its class.

Over a three-year period, service costs will be marginally more on the Golf Plus than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/estate/review/n8">Ford Focus Estate</a>&nbsp;but the VW will work out cheaper to maintain than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/zafira/mpv/used-review/n704">used Vauxhall Zafira</a>.

Insurance costs, starting in group 5, are hardly harsh, and all, except the group 12-rated 2.0 TDI Sport and 1.4 TSI, come in below group 8.

Finally, the extra weight of the Plus takes a slight toll on fuel economy, but the Plus is only marginally down on the Golf's impressive mpg figures.

The extra space is useful, but it's no MPV

Don't bother with the 79bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, as it struggles. With the cabin full of family and the big boot full of clobber, holidays won't be as happy as they could be.

In summer 2006, a year after the Plus went on sale, VW introduced a 1.4-litre petrol engine (TSI) with a turbo- and a supercharger. It's something of a star, with 138bhp and 162lb ft of pulling power, and easily outguns the 1.6-litre petrol.

However, as is often the case with a VW, diesel is the way to go, and there's a choice of three engines. We favour the 104bhp 1.9 TDI, but the 89bhp version and the more powerful 138bhp 2.0-litre are also worth a look.

Trim-wise, there's no need to complicate things. Stick with entry-level models - initially badged S, later changed to the slightly bizarre Luna - and you'll get air-con, central locking and a CD player.

Equipment improves on SE, Sport and GT trims, but you won't miss out on anything important by going for the most basic S. Safety, however, is excellent on all with six-airbags, stability control and anti-lock-brakes fitted across the range.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

As the Plus is essentially a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a> with a bigger boot, you can expect to encounter the same sort of mechanical problems that Golf drivers face. These include problems with headlamps and electric glitches. On a more serious note, the 1.6-litre engine has suffered from faulty timing belt tensioners.

Also, check for tell-tale stains on the ground, as there have been reports of leaking fuel pumps on the diesel engine. And, avoid high-mileage diesels that produce clouds of black smoke under hard acceleration.

Although Golfs enjoy a good reliability reputation, treat your test drive as you would with any other car, paying particular attention to the clutch, gearbox and all electric components.

The Golf Plus is exactly that: a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a> with a bit more boot space, passenger room and versatility. The rear seats split 60/40 and each section also slides backwards and forwards independently, so you can juggle passenger and luggage space around to suit.

At the same time, the front passenger seats can fold completely forward. None of the seats can be removed, but there are no fewer than 43 cubby holes for stowage.

Otherwise, the Plus is very much a Golf, with all its strengths and failings. The cabin is every bit as classy as the basic Golf's and, although the dashboard is different, Golf drivers will still find it all reassuringly familiar. Front three-quarter visibility is still a problem, though, due to those thick A-pillars, and the Plus's taller body means you sit slightly higher than in the Golf.

On the positive side, that tall body doesn't have too much of an effect on the Golf's fine handling, but the extra weight – 100kg of it – needs powerful engines to shift it.

Used Volkswagen Golf Plus MPV 2005 - 2009 reliability

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Used Volkswagen Golf Plus MPV 2005 - 2009 review

As the Plus is essentially a VW Golf with a bigger boot, you can expect to encounter the same sort of mechanical problems that Golf drivers face. These include problems with headlamps and electric glitches. On a more serious note, the 1.6-litre engine has suffered from faulty timing belt tensioners.,Also, check for tell-tale stains on the ground, as there have been reports of leaking fuel pumps on the diesel engine. And, avoid high-mileage diesels that produce clouds of black smoke under hard acceleration.,Although Golfs enjoy a good reliability reputation, treat your test drive as you would with any other car, paying particular attention to the clutch, gearbox and all electric components.

What to look for when buying a Volkswagen Golf Plus 2005 - 2009, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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