I NEVER really knew about stuff' until, that is, I had kids. Prior to the two boys launching themselves into my life, I led a pretty ordered existence.

There was a place for everything and everything had its place.

But the day the kids entered the world was the day that my relatively tidy existence came to an end.

Now, I can't walk two feet without tripping over something or other of theirs.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, the reason is I believe I may have found the answer to my travails.

It is called the Golf Plus and, quite simply, I love it, but not perhaps for the reasons you may think.

Yes, I like the way it looks. I like the way it drives, too.

I like the fact it drinks juice as quickly as one of those blokes you see in hospital wards bandaged from head to foot.

But the main reason I love the Golf Plus is because there's just so much room for stuff.

When I say room I don't mean wide open spaces. I mean less obvious places to hide all of those things that you acquire when you have a family.

You can get all the usual things in with ease, like the pushchair, bike and the shopping, but there are also more cubbies than you can shake a stick at for everything else that comes under the broad umbrella of stuff'.

I counted around a dozen or so hidden all over the interior, with four aircraft-style stowage areas in the roof alone.

OK, so such things might not be at the top of your list when it comes to purchasing a new runaround, but they might well have clinched the deal for me.

I feel like I must tell you about the other aspects of the car now.

The Plus weighs in at 100kg more than its baby brother, but comes with the same engine range.

This means that when you compare the two there is some disparity in pulling power, but, to be honest, most drivers will not notice.

The Plus is also taller than the regular model, but it doesn't really have an impact on the way it drives.

The ride is incredibly comfortable and was much appreciated on a length-of-England journey I undertook.

There is a decibel or two more wind noise due to the increased size of the car over the standard model and the larger wing mirrors, but it is not too bad.

As with all VWs, the inside is very well laid out, with everything where you would expect it to be and easy on the eye.

Our test car came with satellite navigation which was very easy to use and, for once, came with a voice that you didn't find yourself shouting at after you've ignored its instructions two or three times.

While some people might question whether there is a need for a car that is neither a standard hatchback nor a peoplecarrier, I have to say it served its purpose for me.

Now all I have to do is get the kids to vacate the house and move into it.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 1.4cc
Max power: 138bhp
Max torque: 162lb/ft
Max speed: 102mph
0-60mph: 15.2 secs
Average fuel consumption: 38.2mpg
Equipment (includes): ABS; driver's and front and passenger's airbags; alloys; climatic air conditioning; split folding rear seats; leathertrimmed steering wheel; CD player with MP3 compatibility; DVD satellite navigation; metallic paint.