Sector: Lower-medium Price (June 2013): £19,855 Fuel: 53.3mpg CO2: 123g/km

In the company car market, the words ‘Golf’ and ‘diesel’ are pretty much the default option for user-choosers thanks to a combination of strong brand appeal, family car practicality  and decent fuel economy.

But the latest petrol engine technology is forcing a rethink, as witnessed with the downsized 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine in the Golf on test here. With claimed combined fuel economy of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 123g/km, it may fall short of the ubiquitous 1.6 TDI diesel in outright numbers (74.3mpg and 99g/km), but it still makes a compelling case for itself as an affordable and desirable company car.

The 1.4 TSI model sits in the 16% benefit-in-kind tax banding for 2013/14 and in five-door SE specification it will cost a base rate taxpayer £633.60 per annum in company car tax.

Under the bonnet, the 1.4 TSI unit lacks the mid-range torque of the diesel, but with 122bhp on offer it’s peppy enough to provide decent performance – you just have to get used to revving a car again after years of diesel low down shove.

This means you need to change down a gear for decent overtaking performance, whereas in the diesel you’d ride the wave of mid-range torque, but the petrol model’s general refinement outweighs this.

Engine and wind noise are well suppressed in the Golf, especially when compared to the diesel with its more vocal noise at start-up, while handing veers towards comfort.

Inside, the new Golf offers more room than before (boot space is up, too) and the materials and fit and finish are top-class. Standard equipment is OK in SE trim, although it is not what you would call over-equipped. It ticks the basics with Bluetooth, leather steering wheel, air conditioning, alloy wheels and a touchscreen in the dash from which you can control various music interfaces.

Verdict:

If you don’t cover mega-mileages, the Golf 1.4 TSI is worth investigating thanks to its fuel economy and lower front-end price, proving that diesel isn’t the only option for company car drivers.