IF it's space, flexibility and practicality that you're looking for combined with the driving dynamics and build quality associated with the Volkswagen name then the Golf SV model could be the ideal match.

It replaces the Golf Plus and despite its compact-looking dimensions, the interior can easily accommodate five adults with bags of space to stretch out in the rear.

The SV model looks every bit a Golf thanks to the stand-out dynamic s tyling traits that have proved so popular with buyers the world over.

In addition, this car featured silver roof rails, a tailgate with built-in spoiler, heat insulating glass, plenty of chrome trim, 16-inch alloys plus body-coloured bumpers and electrically-adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated indicators.

It also came with a massive panoramic sunroof which added £995 to the asking price.

Move inside and the simplistic, yet feature-rich interior is designed for comfort and practicality with all dials, read-outs and controls perfectly positioned for driver usability.

There are techno treats galore to be discovered including a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, a dash-mounted MP3 compatible CD player with eight speakers, a navigation system that is easy to programme, Car-Net ‘App-Connect' which adds connectivity to both Apple and android smartphones, Park Assist which delivers sensor controlled steering aid to assist parallel or bay parking, air conditioning with dust and pollen filter, plus plenty more besides.

But this particular Golf is designed with active families in mind so there are plenty of practical touches throughout the car.

These include lots of handy storage compartments and a 60:40 split rear bench seat that can slide backwards or forwards up to 180mm to increase either passenger or luggage space as required.

And on the matter of luggage, the boot can accommodate 500-litres of kit increased to a whopping 1,520 litres with the seats dropped flat. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat to create a load space which is more than 2.4 metres long.

This car was in mid-trim SE grade was priced at £23,175 - increased to £26,645 with options added - and was powered by a 110ps 1.6-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Admittedly it's not the fastest Golf out the blocks taking 11.3 seconds to reach 62mph from a standing start and onto a top speed of 119mph. But on the economy front the figures are more impressive with carbon emissions of 101g/km and combined fuel economy of 72.4mpg.

That said, I clocked up more than 600 miles and the average fuel figure I was seeing was much lower at 55.3mpg.

In busy traffic and congested town centres, the car glides through the traffic and the all-round visibility is also good.

On faster lanes and motorways the acceleration through the gears is more than adequate although I was searching for a non-existent sixth gear at times and you will have to change down a gear or two to take on extra steep climbs at pace.

There is a little engine noise when the diesel powertrain is pushed particularly hard, but otherwise the cabin remains nicely hushed and protected from the outside world.

A choice of drive modes alter the car's handling, and features such as a gear-shift prompter will help you achieve the greatest fuel efficiency.

As one would expect, the Golf SV is fully loaded with a comprehensive list of safety features, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stabilisation control, traction control, adaptive cruise control, driver alert system, automatic post-collision braking and numerous airbags.

All in all, the Golf SV is the third version of Golf alongside the hatchback and estate models.