The latest generation of the Volkswagen Golf Estate arrived in 2020, based on the eighth-generation Golf. It remains a car you should have on your shortlist if you’re considering a compact estate car, just like its predecessors.
In typical evolutionary style, the latest Golf Estate doesn’t move the game on hugely from its predecessor, but it didn’t really need to. You get marginally more space and refinement, and slightly iffy touchscreen-based controls aside, it’s just as easy and satisfying to live with as Golf Estates have ever been.
The Skoda Octavia Estate and SEAT Leon Estate both share the Golf’s platform and both make fine alternatives to the VW, while compact estates from other brands include the Ford Focus Estate, Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, and as an offbeat choice, the MINI Clubman.
The Volkswagen Golf has always been easy to recommend as a family car, and if you need a little more space from that family car but want to avoid buying something more expensive and more difficult to park, then the Golf Estate could be perfect.
It has all the qualities of the regular Golf, but a significantly bigger boot - 611 litres, up from 381 litres in the hatchback. And once you’re behind the wheel, you’d struggle to tell there’s all that extra space behind you, as it drives just as well as the hatchback, is equally refined, and thanks to a similar engine lineup, you also get similar performance and economy.
There are no GTI, GTE or GTD models in the Golf Estate lineup, but Volkswagen does offer a Golf R Estate for speed freaks, and has previously offered an off-road-styled Golf Alltrack. With several trim levels and engines to choose from though there’s probably a Golf Estate out there that’ll suit most needs.
Like the hatch, you may have to take some time getting used to some of the controls in the cabin, as a lot of commonly-used functions are accessed through the touchscreen. But for comfort, built quality and space, the Golf is among the better cars in this class.
You do get even more space in the Skoda Octavia Estate, which is generally more affordable too, while the SEAT Leon Estate is another car related to the Golf. The Ford Focus Estate is entertaining to drive, and if you’re after a bit of style and don’t mind sacrificing some space, then the MINI Clubman is an interesting choice too.
A Volkswagen Golf Estate not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs
As a brand new car in our full review, we recommended looking at a 1.0 TSI with a manual gearbox in Life trim. We see no reason to suggest any different when it comes to buying a used Golf Estate, as the entry-level model is well equipped and the smallest engine is still punchy enough for everyday use, and with care you can squeeze 50mpg from it, which used to be the preserve of diesels
There’s something very appealing about the Golf Alltrack though, if you can find one. It’s a distinctive and smartly-styled alternative to buying a crossover or SUV, and the 200PS 2-litre turbodiesel engine gives it a surprising turn of pace.
The Golf Estate has a fairly straightforward range, stepping up through Life and Style trim lines, through a sporty R-Line, and an off-road inspired Alltrack, the latter the most powerful Golf outside of the GTI and Golf R models not offered in estate form.
The Volkswagen Golf Estate’s dimensions are:
The Volkswagen Golf Estate’s boot size is:
All Volkswagen Golf Estates (save the high performance Golf R, not covered here) will set you back the same £180 annual Vehicle Excise Duty bill. Only hybrid and electric rivals are cheaper to tax, thanks to the £10 saving allowed for alternative fuel vehicles, and the free tax for EVs.
The cheapest Golf Estates to insure start in group 14 out of 50, which applies to both the 1.0 TSI and lowest-power TDI, in Life trim. The Alltrack is most expensive, with a group 26 rating, but broadly, a Golf Estate should be little different in terms of insurance costs from most of its rivals.
Read our full Volkswagen Golf Estate review
What is the most popular colour for Volkswagen Golf Estate ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Volkswagen Golf Estate ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Volkswagen Golf Estate ?
What is the most popular engine for Volkswagen Golf Estate ?
What is the average mileage for Volkswagen Golf Estate ?
28667