Peter Robinson's Top 50 Greatest Cars Ever

Why MkV and not the newer MkVI? Easy. After the disappointment of the fourth-generation Golf GT, MkV represented a return to the driving qualities that inspired the first hot-rod Golf variant. Credibility regained, and having demolished all rivals in a Wheels comparison, the new GTI instantly took a quarter of all Golf sales. The great all-rounder used a responsive 147kW turbocharged direct-injection engine, and either six-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox. It didn't quite match the Japanese Evo and WRX in performance, but this was an immensely capable and engaging car.