Reviews - Volkswagen

Overall Rating

Golf-with-a-boot Bora is great to drive, well built, reliable and safe. And that boot is huge. It's quite sporty, but as a compact saloon it lacks image and popularity hurting resale values.

• Easy to drive, safe and reliable
• 1.8T, V5 and V6 are enjoyably lively and responsive
• Quality cabin looks classy

• Small saloons depreciate steadily
• Lacks the prestige or looks to take on 3-Series
• Expensive for what it is; get a Toledo

This is the old Golf but with a boot. Despite minor styling differences, that's really all it is. Volkswagen tried hard to promote it as a small, sporty executive saloon. But sadly it looks too dull for that, and 3-Series buyers did not take the bait. Certainly Bora was developed as a sporty car (some versions are badged Sport); and it drives better than the Golf. It handles neatly and is quite refined, keeping most of the noises on the outside. Inside is a beautifully finished cockpit, also shared with the previous model Golf. Bora also shares engines with the hatchback, both petrol units and excellent TDi turbodiesels. But despite all it shares with Golf, Bora was never a big seller in the UK its compact four-door format is neither popular nor practical. It is undoubtedly a sensible car, although not too roomy inside, but a sensible used buy unless it's cheap.

JD Power stars: 3

Best Models: 1.9 TDI PD 130

Worst Models: 2.8 V6 4MOTION

Replacement: by Jetta in 2006

• Chrysler Neon (1999-)
• MG ZS
• Seat Toledo