Volkswagen Golf fans should be kicking themselves. Why? Because the Leon is just as good a car and costs around £3,000 less when when you opt for the 2.0 TDI version.

We all know that VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT share the same platform for many of their cars, yet we seem happy enough to pay a premium for the right badge on the boot. All very odd.

So, if you are about to pay £26,000 for a Golf TDI 2.0, I’d suggest you consider the Leon first. It’s true, the interior isn’t quite as well styled as the VW and the sharp edge of the designer’s pen on the bodywork might be an acquired taste.

But I’m clutching at straws here – this is basically the same car underneath. Which means it is a beautifully balanced drive, loves to be hurled around corners and in 184bhp guise, has incredible amounts of torque. It pulls from 65mph in sixth gear… and keeps on going.

The Leon SC doesn’t have the legendary status of a Golf but it rather deserves to…