“Volkswagen’s
new
Golf Estate is a class
act that takes all the
hassle out of down-
sizing. A great estate
car package at reason-
able prices with solid
residual values.
What’s not to like?...”
ESTATE CARS ARE ENJOYING SOMETHING OF A RE-BIRTH at present because it
appears that motorists are feeling the need to change from everyday two-a-penny
five-door hatchbacks, compact SUVs, 4x4s and bulky multi-purpose MPVs. The
relatively new Volkswagen Golf Estate five-door joins the established medium-sized
estate market led by the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra Estates as that now
also includes the new and competitively priced Kia Cee'd SW.
Whether it is a fleet operator, a company car user, a user-chooser business
car customer, or a private buyer down-sizing because of higher fuel costs
and higher taxation for less fuel efficient larger vehicles (not forgetting
less space on the roads), to be able to down-size without being seen to be
going down-market is a very important factor.
And the new Golf Estate is an ideal option for down-sizers from slightly larger
premium brand estates supplied by the likes of Audi, BMW, Mer-cedes and Jaguar;
and less expensive but larger still estates such as the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall
Vectra.
The new Golf Estate is the third generation of Volkswagen's popular medium-sized
load carrier and uses the same underpinnings and wheel-base length as the
Golf Hatchbacks — already widely acclaimed for their fine driveability
and refined handling qualities.
The extra 352mm in overall length (over previous versions), now 4,556 mm,
translates directly into additional luggage space. With the 60/40 split folding
rear seats in position, the load capacity is 505 litres and with the rear
seats folded down the maximum load capacity is 1,550. By comparison, the Golf
Hatchback offers 350 and 1,305 litres of space.
The latest Golf Estate has a low loading height of just 570mm, a maxi-mum
load area width of 1,292mm and a load bed length (with the rear seats in position)
of 1.07 metres. Fold down the rear seats and the load bed length from the
tailgate to the back of the front seats stretches to 1.7 metres. SE models
have as standard (optional on S and Sportline derivatives) a load-through
provision incorporating the fold-down centre armrest to carry long items such
as skis whilst re-taining seating accommodation for four adults.
Extra storage areas incorporated under the boot floor and in the boot area
side panels are ideal for valuables. Beneath the lower boot floor
is a deep wheel well, which houses a full-size spare wheel and all the wheel
changing tools. All models have a luggage compartment cover and four load
lashing rings. Hooks are also fitted for carrier bags to prevent their contents
spilling out during a journey — a thoughtful touch.
The new Golf Estate is a class act; it's well designed and well thought out,
principally in the all important load area — which, for the record, is
fully carpeted — and the sidewalls that are lined with top quality trim
to protect both luggage and the interior of the vehicle.
For those owners wishing to tow a trailer, boat or small caravan the braked
towing capacity ranges from, 1,200 to 1,500kg depending on the engine and
specification chosen.
There are three trim levels available — S, SE and Sportline — along
with three engine options: 1.6-litre 102PS petrol and 1.9-litre 105PS and
2.0-litre 140PS TDI turbodiesel units. A DSG automatic gearbox
is an option for both diesel units.
All models are well equipped with climate air conditioning, electrically-operated
windows and door mirrors, a radio/CD player, remote central locking, anti-lock
braking and an electronic stability programme as well as front, side and curtain
airbags and anti whiplash front seat head restraints.
The new Golf Estate shares more styling features associated with the larger
VW Passat Estate as well as the new VW face featured on the front of the Eos
and Jetta models. It looks a classy product, substan-tially longer than a
Golf Hatchback and more up-market as well, which will appeal to business and
private customers alike.
Prices range from £14,347 up to £20,417 for the top specification 140PS diesel
version fitted with the DSG automatic transmission.
So who will buy what model? Well, VW UK says they expect to sell around 2,800
Golf Estates in the UK in a full year. The vast majority (89 per cent) will
be sold with a diesel engine. Of these, the 1.9 TDI unit is expected to be
the best-seller, with 53 per cent of sales.
Image-wise, the Golf Estate already holds a strong advantage over the competition.
Visually it looks an expensive up-market car; certainly
not just a Golf Hatchback with a bigger back end. Combine the Golf Estate's
elegant appearance with the acknowledged performance
and handling characteristics that are hallmarks of the Golf Hatchback, and
you have a winning combination.
My test version, a 2.0-litre SE 140PS TDI model priced at £17,862, will appeal
to private buyers and business user-choosers bacause the
extra power and performance of the larger diesel engine — which still
provides good overall fuel economy with low-ish CO2 figures — is to
my mind the best buy in the line-up. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is underpowered
for this size of vehicle and the 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine has to be worked
hard to get the best from it — and in real-life that probably means less
true miles-per-gallon. However, the insurance group rating for the 2.0-litre
TDI is much higher at 12 than the group 6 rating given to the lower-powered
petrol and diesel models.
Both the 1.9 and 2.0-litre TDI engines fall into the same CO2 Vehicle Excise
Duty Band C rating of £115. The 2.0-litre test car returned 51.4mpg —
exactly 1mpg better than the official combined cycle figure. Neither TDI engine
is very quiet at start-up or at tickover, compared
to the latest turbodiesel engines on the market. But VW are starting to introduce
new generation petrol and diesel engines, so expect to see these coming to
the range in the mid-term future.
With 138bhp (140PS) of power and 236lb ft of torque provided from 1,750rpm,
the 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel engine may be noisy whilst the car is
stationary, but underway the noise fades and the power feeds in very smoothly.
Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the unit feels strong and progressive
right through the speed range.
In town or slow moving traffic the engine is compliant and smooth.
On the open road the unit is really responsive, and in 'the cruise' it is
quiet and easy-going — road noise intrusion is low, so it feels as though
you are driving a 'premium' brand car. Top speed is 127mph
and 0 to 62mph is covered in 9.8 seconds. It is no 'express', but it does
do the job pretty well — and, at 50mpg+, it is undeniably economical.
I would have expected that growing the very fine handling Golf Hatch-back
into an Estate would have compromised the handling and the balance of the
vehicle to some extent. Not so — it provides a supple and comfortable
ride with predictable handling and stability and the steering gives the usual
sharp responses. The four-link rear suspension used for the Golf Estate is
a much better layout performance-wise than the cheaper beam-axle design usually
employed on estates of this size.
To sum up: the Golf Estate is roomy (apart from limited headroom for tall
drivers) with a really good sized load area and lots of first-rate
load securing and concealing features; has a classy cabin, high build quality,
a good level of specification and safety equipment, up-market exterior styling,
excellent driving and handling qualities, delivers good mpg and has low CO2
emissions. It all adds up to a great estate car package at reasonable prices
with solid residual values. So there really is no penalty, or hardship, by
moving down in size to a Golf Estate.
The only question is, Why aren't you? — David Miles
 Volkswagen Golf Estate SE 2.0 TDI 140PS | £18,862 Maximum speed: 127mph | 0-62mph: 9.8 seconds Overall test MPG: 51.4mpg | Power: 138bhp | Torque: 236lb ft CO2 148g/km |
