Golfs are far too expensive these days. a 1.6 TDI Match with leather and sat nav comes in at £24k. Knowing VW, this will only increase.
In comparison to what though? All new cars are considerably more expensive than they were 3 - 4 years ago...
That was actually a typo, it was meant to say £25k. In comparison to the new A3 (which has a 6spd, not 5spd, a vastly improved interior and generally better built), the A-Class and BMW (both leaps and bounds ahead of the Golf), which all come in at £26k with better spec.
Alfa's Giulietta, which is very well built and better looking inside/out and better specified, comes in £1k cheaper.
The "people's car" is £1k cheaper than the equivalent Mercedes/Audi/BMW? No thank you.
FWIW a 1.6 TDI Match at £25k will have every option available, which is just daft. I'd be willing to bet an A3 would cost more, and I'd disagree that a 1-series is leaps and bounds ahead of the Golf. I'd even say the build quality and interior of the 1-series is inferior to the MK6 Golf.
The "people's car" thing isn't relevant anymore. VW haven't been the peoples car for over a decade now.
Sat Nav, Leather, Reversing Camera, 17" wheels. All options we would get our sister (the cars were specced up for her); I wouldn't say that spec is daft at all, even if the leather on VWs is worse than the others (and in my opinion, the infotainment as well).
My cousin has a 1.6TDI Mk6 and although the quality is better than my Mk5, it isn't on BMW's level. Whether or not you like the design of the interior is another thing altogether.
As I said, the Audi, BMW, Merc all came in at £26k with identical spec.
I don't think it is irrelevant because VW is not a premium product like the three mentioned. It doesn't look or feel as luxurious, and is not as pleasant to be in.