THE Golf is an iconic name in world motoring. There have been more than 23 million sold in 30 years of production and it surpassed the Beetle as Volkswagen’s number one seller two years ago. Now, almost a year after it went on sale in Europe, the fifth generation Golf is on sale in Australia. The first iterations we see are all five-door hatchbacks, but there is plenty of other choice with two petrol and two diesel engines, three transmission types and three specification levels to mull over. Stronger, safer (a five-star Euro NCAP performer) and cheaper than its predecessor, Golf V is an evolutionary but compelling entrant in the small car category.