Best Mid-Size Car $30-50,000

The sixth-generation Golf launched earlier this year came with a host of mechanical changes housed in a cleaner-looking body. 

The most significant changes are under the bonnet, with new petrol engines that are smaller in capacity than the previous generation yet more powerful and providing better fuel consumption.

The 118TSi Comfortline uses a 1.4-litre petrol engine which puts out an impressive 118 kW of power, with the twin bonuses of turbo-charging and a supercharger combining to deliver an extra 15 kW over the previous generation’s 2.0-litre engine.

But to be a winner in a class that has nearly 50 contenders, you need more than a great engine and the Golf rates highly in the critically weighted areas of safety, ergonomics and environment. 

Strong levels of grip and sharp, responsive steering that convey all the right messages to the driver take this Golf up a level, and it's almost as much fun to drive as its sporty GTi cousin.

Comfortline is also now better than its predecessor in ride quality: hence, a perfect 10 for this, along with 10 for handling. 

With more than 26 million units built in various factories around the world to date, Golf surpasses the iconic Beetle by a long way and has forged a name that symbolises the best in a mid-sized package in its own right.