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Saloon
When Volkswagen introduced the Bora in 1999, it was attempting to create a small sporting saloon in the BMW 3-Series mould. It never quite achieved those dizzy heights, but the Bora is a good and smart-looking car all the same, even if its saloon body restricts its practicality.
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Where it does score over the Golf is that, thanks to stiffer suspension and superior body control, it’s a better driver’s car than the car it’s based on. True, really rough or tortuously twisty roads can get the better of Bora’s chassis, but most of the time it’s fine. There is a huge variety of engines and the majority are very refined, although the diesels can be boomy and the V5 isn’t as smooth as it should be. Inside, there's precious little to complain about and attention to detail in the cabin is second to none. The seats are comfortable and supportive, the boot is roomy and rear passenger space is acceptable.
Running Costs
Because the Bora, as a saloon, is less popular than the five-door Golf hatch, the good news is that prices are lower. Service intervals are set at 10,000 miles or 12 months, which is par for the course. And, although Volkswagen dealers charge more for their labour, a leading warranty company’s figures show that the average repair cost works out cheaper than for most rivals. Running costs are only a pain with the larger-engined models. If you choose the V6 4Motion, for example, be prepared to dip into your wallet regularly, because it has a 25mpg thirst. And, that’s the official figure - the real-world one will be a lot lower, while insurance is high with a group 17 rating. The V5 fares a little better with 29mpg, but its group 16 rating is still steep. With our recommended 1.9 TDI diesel, you’ll encounter a lot less financial pain, thanks to 54mpg fuel economy and a group 6 insurance rating. The 1.6-litre, 16-valve, petrol unit is fairly economical with 39mpg and the same group 6 insurance.