Yellow VW Golf Estate parked

New Volkswagen Golf Estate

From £28,330

Introducing the new-look Golf Estate, with numerous individualisation options you really can create your very own personal Golf Estate.

For years estate cars have proven the ultimate choice for those wanting additional practicality, and while SUVs might be increasingly popular these days, a traditional estate is still a brilliant tool. And manufacturers clearly agree – especially Volkswagen – who introduced a more spacious version of its new eight-generation Golf hatchback

Let’s take a look at what the new Volkswagen Golf Estate has to offer.

Exterior

With greater dimensions and an extended wheelbase, estate cars can often look sleeker than the cars they’re based on, and that could be true with the Volkswagen Golf. The striking and angular front end certainly suits the new Golf Estate, while intricate LED lighting at the front and rear add to the visual appeal.

There’s also a new R-Line estate – something previously just offered on the hatchback. It brings a black styling kit and a sportier bodykit. In due course, a hot ‘R’ version will also be introduced, bringing with it far more performance, as well as style.

woman and child sat in the front passenger seat of Volkswagen Golf Estate

Interior

Undoubtedly one of the biggest changes for the latest Golf estate is its interior, which is rather different from that of its predecessor. Volkswagen has just about digitised the full thing – from the digital dials to the touchscreen to the absence of physical buttons, which have been replaced by sliders or voice-controlled functions. The reassuring quality and high-quality feel expected from a Golf remains, though.

But Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten about the need for spaciousness, with the Golf Estate being even more spacious than its predecessor. Boot space has increased to an impressive 611 litres, or a huge 1,642 with the rear seats folded. Volkswagen has also improved rear space as well, helped by a wheelbase that’s 48mm longer than before. It means five adults should be able to travel in comfort.

Golf Estate Technology features

Volkswagen has made technology a talking point on the latest eighth-generation Golf, and the Estate benefits from all the modern touches already seen on the hatchback. From the 10-inch touchscreen to the digital dial system of the same size (both fitted as standard), it’s a showcase for the brand’s latest tech.

It’s also fitted with a system known as ‘Car2X traffic hazard alert’, which essentially means the car can ‘communicate’ with other vehicles – alerting you to any hazards on the road, even well before you’d ordinarily be able to see them. It’s features like this that have already earnt the regular Golf a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Engine and performance

Expect the Golf Estate to be available with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, which are largely set to mirror those of the hatchback.

The entry-level engine option will be a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol producing 108bhp, as well as a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol. These will be available with a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission. Choose the latter and it will come with ‘eTSI’ mild-hybrid technology, which enhances efficiency and responsiveness.

As for diesels, Volkswagen will offer a 2.0-litre option with either 113bhp or 148bhp, with an automatic gearbox coming with the more powerful engine.

Side view of a yellow VW golf estate driving on a road
woman using touchscreen within Volkswagen Golf Estate
person sat in the boot of the volkswagen golf estate
golf estate r driving on a road
Woman opening boot using hands free technology of VW Golf Estate

What trim levels are on the VW Golf Estate?

Life

Standard equipment on the Golf Estate includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a leather steering wheel and the aforementioned large touchscreen and digital dial system. It also comes with a variety of safety kit, including adaptive cruise control, traffic sign detection, front and rear parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking.

Style 

Style brings larger 17-inch alloy wheels, 30-colour ambient lighting and electrically folding mirrors. The LED headlights are also upgraded, while additional driver assistance equipment is provided in the form of high beam assist and side assist. 

R-Line

Sporty R-Line models bring more aggressive styling, along with a heated steering wheel, sports suspension and configurable driving modes.

Alltrack

This trim allows you to embrace adventure. With larger 17" 'Ronda' Alloy wheels​ and Driving profile selection you're ready to hit the road.

R

Inspired by motorsport, this car delivers dynamic handling, exhilaration and excitement. With All wheel drive - 4Motion and 18”Jerez Black diamond turned alloy wheels.

Review: Volkswagen Golf Estate

Volkswagen has gone a step further and introduced this - the Golf Estate. It brings more in the way of practicality while retaining the latest Golf’s technology-focused cabin.

What is it?

Volkswagen has a real knack for making the most out of a single model. Today, the Golf’s line-up is varied, with all manner of different variants expanding out from the regular hatchback. You’ve got performance-orientated GTI and GTE models, alongside e-Hybrid PHEV variants.

Volkswagen has gone a step further and introduced this - the Golf Estate. It brings more in the way of practicality while retaining the latest Golf’s technology-focused cabin.

What’s new?

It’ll come as little surprise that, save for that elongated rear end, the Estate variant of the Golf is much the same as the standard hatchback. It gets that screen-heavy interior, a range of mild-hybrid engines and striking exterior styling.

That said, the new Estate is noticeably longer than the car it replaces, which allows it to offer more rear-seat space and a larger boot, too.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Golf Estate benefits from the same range of engines as the standard hatch, which means there’s the option of diesel and petrol, with the latter coming with mild-hybrid assistance when coupled with an automatic gearbox.

Our test car came with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. With 108bhp and 200Nm it might not be the punchiest engine in the range, but it still manages to power the Golf from 0-60mph in 10.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph. It’s efficient, too, with Volkswagen claiming 51.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 126g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

The Golf Estate is a great showcase of how you don’t need to pay top dollar to get refinement. This entry-level version is remarkably hushed and despite a small amount of road noise, it’s a quiet and comfortable place to be. The 1.0-litre engine provides more than enough punch and even at higher speeds, it manages to be responsive.

The steering is nice and direct, too, while body roll is well contained. Though Ford’s Focus may edge ahead in terms of driver enjoyment, the Golf still reigns supreme when it comes to all-round usability.

How does it look?

Many cars look even sleeker when transformed into an estate and that seems to be the case with the Golf. It’s an attractive design, with a sleek rear end that tapers off cleverly at the back of the car. Even in entry-level form it looks good and represents strong progression on the older car.

All cars get standard-fit LED lights, too, while those who fancy a car with a little more presence could opt for an R-Line variant that brings lowered suspension and a sports bodykit.

Blue VW Golf Estate
Interior of dashboard of golf estate
Rear seats of Volkswagen Golf Estate
Side view blue VW Golf Estate

What’s it like inside?

The Golf’s interior has been a real talking point and it’s the same story with this Estate version. The cabin represents a huge change compared with the older version, with close to all of the buttons being removed and a 10-inch central touchscreen being used for the bulk of the controls instead.

Though it’s great to look at, it can take some getting used to. That said, it’s something that you can easily get up to speed with - we’d just like there to be a few more physical buttons for aspects such as the heating and ventilation. However, where the Golf does really well is space; it has 611 litres available in the boot, rising to 1,642 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

What’s the spec like?

There are fewer trim levels to choose from with the Estate compared with the hatch. Life, Style or R-Line are the three available, bringing different levels of standard equipment.

However, even Life specifications boast front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and that 10-inch touchscreen. You also get digital dials, which can be configured to showcase a variety of readouts.

Verdict

The Golf Estate really ticks the boxes when it comes to spaciousness and practicality. Now roomier than ever, it’s a great option for those who fancy a Volkswagen Golf but need a touch more space than the regular hatch can offer.

What’s more, our entry-level model shows that you don’t need to go for the very top specification to get a premium-feeling and comfortable car.

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