the improved version of Volkswagen's eighth generation Golf Estate is a very polished kind of compact station wagon. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen's current emphasis on SUVs hasn't stopped the brand from also bringing us an improved version of this eight generation Golf Estate. It's smarter, more sophisticated and offers plenty of electrified engine tech. Plus it can still offer a far larger load area than any comparably priced compact crossover. If you're not particularly enamoured with SUVs and want a family model of this size, you might really like it.

Background

Given that estates are designed to haul a hefty amount of gear around, the concept of a compact estate at first seems one destined to crash and burn. And so it has proved. No matter which hugely successful product line you choose - Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra or Renault Megane - its estate variant has added but a nominal amount to the overall sales figures. Accept that this is the way it is - and is destined to stay - and it's easier to get to grips with this latest Golf Estate. Sold alongside the Golf five door hatch, the Golf Estate offers another alternative for those wanting a family Volkswagen of this size but not quite prepared to step up to a Tiguan compact SUV or a Touran MPV. And the car itself? Well, after eight model generations, it would perhaps be a little surprising if Volkswagen didn't have the hang of building Golfs by now.

Driving Experience

In the compact station wagon segment, there's nothing quite like the solid, reasuring feel of a Golf Estate - though of course its drivetrain engineering is almost identical to what you'd find in the two other VW Group products in this sector, estate versions of the SEAT Leon and the Skoda Octavia. Not much of that has changed with this update, particularly at the affordable end of the range, which as before offers 115PS and 150PS version of three engine formats: conventional 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre petrol eTSI mild hybrid and 2.0 TDI diesel (the latter lightly updated). Only the 115PS unelectrified petrol and diesel units can be had with manual transmission. Otherwise, you'll be looking at the usual 7-speed DSG automatic. An even faster revised version of the top Golf R Estate has a 4MOTION 4WD and a 2.0 TSI turbo unit putting out 333PS, meaning 62mph is reached in 4.8s en route to 155mph. Otherwise, things are much as before. As usual, across the range there's the option of Volkswagen's 'DCC' 'Dynamic Chassis Control' adaptive damping system which works with a 'Driver Profile' driving modes system offering 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Individual' settings. And of course there's plenty of camera-driven tech, including an optional 'Travel Assist' system which combines Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane assist to allow 'hands-free' driving at speeds of 130mph. Which sounds vaguely alarming but which Volkswagen assures us is a significant safety aid.

Design and Build

The changes to this facelifted eighth generation Golf estate are extremely subtle. There are fresh illuminating signatures in the new-look angular LED headlamps and revised bumpers front and rear, plus an illuminated VW badge on the nose, new sills beneath the doors and smarter LED tail lamps. Otherwise, it's as you were. With this MK8 design, Volkswagen tried to make the exterior design of this station wagon variant a little more clear-cut and dynamic. The front end is obviously the same as that of the hatch but further back, the Estate features a roof section that becomes flatter towards the rear as well as a coupe-type, angled rear window. The headlights and tail light clusters feature LED technology. This eighth generation design is 4,633mm long and boasts a wheelbase of 2,686mm. Volkswagen has used virtually all of that wheelbase length to benefit cabin space - especially in the rear where couple of adults will fit reasonably well on the back seat. The 611-litre boot remains one of the largest in the class. With the seats folded and the car loaded up to the roof liner, the volume increases to 1,642-litres. The main mid-life changes to this eighth generation model though, lie inside. The original design's widely-criticised infotainment system has been thoroughly updated to what VW calls' MIB4' status, which means it gets quicker processing times, smarter menus and slicker graphics. The centre screen's updated too, now 12.9-inches in size as standard. Talking of screens, there are a few minor updates to the 10.2-inch 'Digital Cockpit Pro' instrument display, which can be customised to model via different layouts. And there's a better head-up display available. The steering wheel's different too, now restored with proper buttons, instead of the pre-facelift model's fiddly touch-sensitive ones. The awful touch slider below the infotainment screen has been retained, but it's now more responsive and (at last) is back-lit for easier night use. The voice control set-up's better too, thanks to ChatGPT tech, which can be used to control navigation, 'phone and climate functions. The advantage here is that if Volkswagen's own voice activation set-up doesn't know the answer to a question you might be asking the car, it'll be relayed to the ChatGPT AI system - though the same VW voice will still give you the answer.

Market and Model

The Golf Estate requires a £1,365 premium over the hatch body style, which from the launch of this updated model meant a starting price of £28,400. In reality though, most Golf Estates will continue to be sold in the £30,000-£35,000 bracket. The core trim levels are 'Life', 'Match', 'Style' and' R-Line'. Even 'Life' spec offers LED headlights, navigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, all-round parking sensors and 16-inch wheels, plus a 'Digital Cockpit Pro' instrument screen and a 12.9-inch infotainment system. 'Match'-spec adds 17-inch wheels, a rear view camera, High Beam Assist and rear privacy glass. And with the 'Style' versions, you get body-coloured bumpers, 'intelligent' 'LED Plus' headlamps, exterior ambient lighting, 'sports comfort' front seats, 'ArtVelours' microfleece upholstery and multi-colour cabin lighting. 'R-Line'-spec has a sportier look, 17-inch 'Coventry' alloy wheels and the optoion of a contrast-coloured roof. Manoeuvring can be simplified by the latest assist systems including the enhanced 'Park Assist Plus' and 'Park Assist Pro' systems, which are available for the first time for the Golf and enable you to stand outside the car and part it with your smartphone. The 360-degree Area View is another new and useful feature. Five fresh alloy wheel designs and four new metallic paint finishes have also been added to this updated range. And as before, there's quite a portfolio of optional semi-autonomous driving tech, including a 'Travel Assist' feature that allows the car to accelerate, steer and brake on motorways at speeds of up to 130mph.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the WLTP-rated efficiency stats. The base 1.5 TSI 115PS petrol unit manages up to 51.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 124g/km of CO2. The mild hybrid 48-volt electrical system boosts the returns only very slightly - to 52.3mpg and 123g/km in 1.5 eTSI 150PS form. The top R version manages 34.6mpg and 185g/km. And warranties? Well the standard package is still three years and 60,000 miles. We can't see why Volkswagen couldn't extend that mileage limit to 100,000 miles, since that what you get on its mechanically very similar Caddy model. Doing that though, wouldn't give Volkswagen dealers so much of an opportunity to sell extended warranty packages. There's one for four years and 75,000 miles or, if you plan to see a bit more of the world in your Golf Estate, there's a five year / 90,000 mile package. As for servicing, well as usual with Volkswagen models, there's a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' maintenance packages. You'll choose the 'Fixed' approach if you cover less than 10,000 miles a year and with this, the car will typically be looked at every twelve months. If your daily commute is more than 25 miles and your Golf Estate will regularly be driven on longer distance journeys, you'll be able to work with a 'Flexible' regime that in the first two years of ownership could see you travelling up to 20,000 miles or waiting up to 24 months before a garage visit. A single inspection service every year or 20,000 miles will be required thereafter, whichever comes sooner.

Summary

The Golf Estate has never been one of the brighter stars in the Volkswagen firmament. It was always too small, too overshadowed by the hatch or too dowdy to really appeal. While this latest version of the MK8 model isn't about to outshine the hatchback version, it at least addresses these other two issues reasonably well. The styling updates are well judged and the cabin tech is now far more user-friendly than before. The main reasons you'll want a Golf station wagon though, remain rooted in quality and cabin space. Both remain class-leading - which is just as well given the prices being asked. Small estates will never be big sellers but, as Volkswagen has demonstrated, if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

Body Glass

Heat insulating windshield made of laminated glass

Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay

4 speed front wiper/interval delay

Front and rear electric windows

Front windscreen washers

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

ESC (Electronic Stability Control)

Volkswagen roadside assistance

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring

Rear disc brakes

Carpets/Rugs

Carpet mats, front and rear

Communication

We connect preparation

Car2X intelligent vehicle networking

E-Sim card for online connectivity

Wireless app connect

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Multifunction camera for distance control

Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with speed limiter and front assist (reacting to vehicles pedestrians and cyclists)

Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor

Activated carbon canister

Dynamic road sign display

Power assisted speed sensitive steering

Lane change system side assist, rear traffic alert and exit warning system

Driver alert system

Driver Information

We connect plus preparation

Voice assistant and voice enhancer with chat GPT

Emergency assist

Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened

Traffic jam assist

Infotainment system with scalable module options Version 2

Discover media navigation system

Multi-color Digital cockpit pro, selection of different info profile possible

Speedo, rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display, exterior temperature and fuel gauge

Driving Mirrors

Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right

Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors with memory feature

Body colour door mirrors

Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror

Embellishment Trims

Chrome plated air vent surround

New brushed dark metal decorative inserts for dashboard and front door panels

Engine

Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)

Entertainment

Gaming platform via car app

Comfort telephony + wireless charging, without wireless aerial connection

DAB radio

Diversity antenna for FM reception

2 USB C ports in front, 2 USB charging sockets on the centre console in the rear charging capacity upto 45W

12.9" infotainment display

Mobile phone interface with inductive charging feature

Exterior Body Features

Rear side wing doors

Body colour bumpers

Body colour door handles

Rear exhaust tailpipe

Chrome trims on the side window bottom

Chrome plated radiator grille inserts and light switch surrounds

Illuminated front grille

Body colour rear roof spoiler

Chrome trimmed front air intake surrounds

Exterior Lights

Auto headlights

Illuminated molding between headlights and illuminated door handle recesses

Welcome light with surround lighting

LED separate daytime running light

High level 3rd brake light

Rear fog light on one side and reversing lights on both sides

LED License plate illumination

Automatic headlamp activation with Coming home and Leaving home feature

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air care climatronic 3 Zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning control panel

Interior Features

Storm grey roof lining

Storm black instrument panel

Glovebox

Rear cupholder and loadthough

Removable luggage compartment cover

12V socket in front centre console

12V socket in luggage compartment

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Standard pedal cluster

Front cupholders x 2

Front centre armrest with storage compartment

Leather gearshift handle

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting with 30 colour incl. LED light unit in front footwell with selectable light colour

Luggage compartment lighting

Packs

Driver assistance pack - Golf Estate/Hatchback

Light and vision pack - Golf Estate/Hatchback

Safety

Drivers and front passengers safety optimised head restraints

Child locks on rear doors

3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners

Two tone horn

3 rear three point seatbelts

Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Extended pedestrian protection measures

Seats

Single front passenger seat

Isofix child seat preparation for 2 rear child seats and front passenger seat

Split folding backrest with centre armrest and unsplit rear seat bench

3 seat bench in 2nd row

3 rear head restraints

Security

Anti theft wheel bolts

Electronic engine immobiliser

Transmission

XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling

Vanity Mirrors

Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 128

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 137

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 128

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Engine and Drive Train

Transmission: MANUAL

Gears: 6 SPEED

CC: 1498

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Engine Code: DXDB

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 53.3

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 38.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 49.6

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 57.6

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 5.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 5.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 4.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 7.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 50.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 50.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 46.3

General

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 88

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 22E

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Service Interval Mileage: 9300

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 74

NCAP Safety Assist %: 82

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 150

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 8

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Based On ID: N

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Coin Description: TSI 150

Coin Series: Style

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 150

Top Speed: 139

Engine Power - KW: 110

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184

Engine Torque - NM: 250

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.8

Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 225/45 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: NOTTINGHAM

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 225/45 R17

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2669

Width: 1789

Length: 4631

Height (including roof rails): 1487

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 700

Max. Loading Weight: 611

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 611

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1950

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.3

Minimum Kerbweight: 1339

Body Glass

Rear tinted glass 65% light absorbing from B pillar backwards

Chassis/Suspension

Heavy duty suspension with shock absorption in front, front stabilizer bar, rear stabilizer bar

Sport suspension with shock absorption in front, front stabilizer bar, rear stabilizer bar

Adaptive chassis control DCC incl driving profile selection, shock absorpotion in front, Rear shock absorption, Disc brakes in front

Driver Aids

Driving profile selection and conventional shock absorber

Dynamic steering

Park assist with park distance control

Area view including rear view camera

Driver Information

Head up Display

Entertainment

Harman/Kardon sound system including 12 channel digital amplifier, 480 watt output and 9 speakers plus subwoofer

Exterior Body Features

Silver anodized roof rails

Metallic paint

Premium metallic paint

Special solid paint

Premium paint

Exterior Lights

LED matrix headlights with ambient light V2, advanced high beam, dynamic range contol with cornering, LED rear lamp with indicator, poor weather

Interior Features

Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with 2X front and 2X rear LED reading lights

Packs

ErgoActive seat pack - Golf style

Winter package - Golf Style / R-Line

Technology pack with Easy open and close - Golf Estate

Technology park and comfort pro package - Golf Estate Manual

Vienna leather pack with front sports seats - Golf Estate

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Anemone blue

Metallic - Crystal Ice Blue

Metallic - Oyster silver

Metallic - Grenadilla black

Metallic - Dolphin grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Urano grey

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Kings red

Premium paint - Oryx white mother of pearl effect

Special solid - Moonstone grey

Special solid - Pure white

Safety

Curtain and side airbags in front and rear, center airbag

Towing

Folding trailer hitch with electric release

Trim - Cloth

Art velours cloth - Mistral Soul

Art velours cloth - Soul black

Trim - Leather

Vienna leather pack with front sports seats - Soul black

Wheels - Alloy

18" Catania alloy wheels in black diamond turned surface

Wheels - Spare

18" Space and weight saving spare wheel incl tool kit and jack