The Volkswagen Golf Estate bolsters the model line-up and adds the most practical variant to the range.

Families that require more flexibility and load-room than the Golf can offer will instantly be drawn to the Golf Estate – which is closely based on the hatchback model. This is easily the best-looking Golf Estate ever; it looks and feels like a well-considered model rather than an add-on to the range.

Well-built and very practical, the VW Golf Estate is up against the likes of the Skoda Octavia Estate and Ford Focus Estate in its segment.

Performance

On test, we drove the 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a power output of 103bhp, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It will get from zero to 62mph in 11.2 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 120mph.

The model has enough pulling power for most situations, however you’ll have to work the ‘box quite hard when overtaking on single lane carriageways.

Numerous other engines are available, including 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrols, 2.0-litre diesels and more power outputs for the 1.6-litre TDI.

As well as five- and six-speed manual gearboxes, some of the engines can be paired with a six- or seven-speed auto DSG transmission.

Our test car is our recommended choice as it is flexible enough for most buyers, offering a great blend of driving ability and economy.

Ride and Handling

The Golf Estate lags behind the Focus Estate when it comes to driver feedback and the steering is quite well weighted, but it does feel a tad artificial. 

Thanks to shedding a few pounds, well 105kg to you and me, the new VW Golf Estate feels better to drive than any other previous iteration. The car is also lower and wider making it much more fun when driving enthusiastically through twisty roads. The Golf Estate lags behind the Focus Estate when it comes to driver feedback and the steering is quite well weighted, but it does feel a tad artificial. There is plenty of grip at the front-end, but pushing it too much can be a lottery, as you cannot feel what the front wheels are up to thanks to the over-assisted steering.

Interior and Equipment

The Volkswagen Golf Estate was awarded the ‘Best Estate Car’ accolade at the 2014 What Car? Awards.

The Golf Estate has plenty of kit to keep you and your passengers safe and entertained on long journeys. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, Bluetooth, Start/Stop function, and a 5.8-inch colour touch-screen. Rivals such as the Octavia Estate offer a tad more kit, and for a lower price. Practicality has increased over the previous generation, making this new Golf Estate a much more attractive proposition. The Golf Estate has grown in size, as has its boot. Load space has grown by 100 litres to 605 litres with the rear seats in place. Fold the rear bench flat and the load room expands to 1,620 litres - which should be ample room for most families. There are a good number of cubby holes and the glove box is a decent size while there is a little stowage underneath the boot floor – ideal for muddy boots and the like.

Cost

The comparable Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI 103bhp will emit 99g/km of CO2 and return up to 74.3mpg – slightly better on both accounts.

This version is one of the most affordable cars on the range. Thanks to the VW badge, residuals are good but it’s the fuel economy and the low emissions where it really stars. Emissions for this four-cylinder 103bhp 1.6-litre engine come to 102g/km – ideal for not just families but also highly competitive for company car drivers. Fuel economy is also very good as VW claims that this version will return 72.4mpg – in real-world driving you should see around the mid-60s mark. The comparable Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI 103bhp will emit 99g/km of CO2 and return up to 74.3mpg – slightly better on both accounts. Residual values may be better with the VW badge on the front, but leasing costs are noticeably higher than those for the Octavia Estate.

Our Verdict

The Golf Estate with the 103bhp 1.6-litre engine in SE trim starts at £21,475. It is packaged well, comes with the solid build quality that you would expect from a VW model and the running costs should convert many into running a new Golf Estate. This car is practical right down to a tee. It’s a great car for those with families or drivers that just want that added bit of practicality over the standard Golf hatchback. However, being pricier than the Octavia Estate, which offers better economy and more space in the boot, may hurt its sales figures.