Convertible cars don't come along for review all that often, and being on the western coast of Australia means we are often the last in line to drive them. Which usually occurs in mid-winter…

But no - the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the air is soft - and Volkswagen Australia has sent across an example of its recently upgraded Golf Cabriolet. There is a God, and He must like open-top cars.

The upgrade, consisting of full leather interior and a CD player, was actually announced last August as a $1,000 option, but has since been made standard in the SE Cabrio.

Already secure as the best selling open top car of all time, the addition of leather trim and a CD-player with the security of a removable face, as standard equipment, definitely add to the appeal of the Golf Cabriolet SE.

First thing to remember, of course, is that a cabriolet by its own definition of having four seats is not really intended to be a sportscar. (I thought I would get that one out of the way, considering the number of people who identified it as "oh, the VW sportscar".)

For one thing, it is just as pleasant to use with the hood up as it is with it stowed away, which has not always been the case in my experience.

Convertible roofs are something that Europe has refined to a high degree in more recent years, with ease of use and multiple-layer construction (Saab and Peugeot spring to mind). But VW was among the first to start working seriously - and it shows.

To quote VW; "This is a Cabriolet that is not afraid of car washes or bad weather and, with twin air bags and a sturdy roll over bar, there is no conflict between safety and fun."

No argument from me on any of that, so what's the rest of the package like?

Rather comprehensively equipped as it happens, with power windows, central locking, electrically heated and operated door mirrors, power steering, dual airbags, ABS braking, air conditioning, alloy wheels, digital stereo system, engine immobiliser and newly redesigned security door locks and steering lock.

A couple of oddities are that leather trim is part of the package, though strangely accompanied by a naked plastic steering wheel, and the stereo has good sound from 4 speakers, but they’re all in front - no rear speakers.

Having power windows front and rear makes it easy to enjoy open-air motoring without wind-blast, and the convertible top wins points for its user-friendliness.

Unclip two locks on the windscreen header rail, press a button and it folds itself away while you remain seated. The tonneau cover, which is not even necessary except for a neater appearance, has to be put on manually but is one of the easiest I’ve encountered.

Putting the roof up is just as simple, and with its five layer construction it is surprisingly quiet when erected. And a glass rear window - with demister - means no peering at a rearview mirror full of crinkled, foggy plastic.

Despite having what is described as a "sports suspension", Golf Cabriolet is not really a sportscar in terms of handling, and is prone to understeer if pushed too hard in corners, but is well-matched with the 2.0 litre engine.

A smooth and adequate performer, though not in the same class as the 2.8 litre V6 found in its `big brother’, the Golf VR6 hatch. (My new Lotto fantasy - buy a Cabrio and a VR6, then swap lots of bits to create a VR6 Cabrio…)

But, stepping back into reality, speed becomes less of a factor in an open car, and the 2.0 litre engine would probably satisfy the needs of most potential buyers.

Its performance can be spirited enough if it is pedalled with enthusiasm (and gears shifted with similar gusto), but when driven with brain fully engaged it is still more than capable of holding its own in city traffic cut`n’thrust.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Golf Cabrio is also one of its most subtle, and it’s provided by the integrated rollbar.

Its constant presence in the corner of the eye, much like the B-pillar of a normal sedan, is oddly reassuring. Aside from that, the height adjustable seatbelts mounted high on the rollbar make Golf Cabriolet probably unique among convertibles (and some hardtop coupes, for that matter) in having seatbelts that don't fall off your shoulder!

Another bonus is that it has channels to ensure that the side windows are held firmly when raised, thus eliminating the shuddering glass often found in convertibles, plus the rollbar can be fitted with a VW-approved surfboard/windsurfer rack.

We are blessed here in Australia with almost certainly the best prevailing year-round weather conditions for open air driving (remember to `slip-slop-slap’ with the SPF15+), yet we have traditionally had few choices of convertible available to us.

That has certainly been changing in recent times, with a greater range and variety on offer, and Golf Cabriolet is in there with the best of them.