Volkswagen Golf Estate (09 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 12 April 2012
Don't be fooled by the updated grille and sharper headlights - this Volkswagen Golf Estate isn't strictly an new model as Volkswagen makes out, but essentially a revised version of the previous car. That's no bad thing though as the Golf Estate is an excellent family car with a surprisingly cavernous boot and an excellent reliability record. It has been improved further with an upgraded dashboard, even better cabin refinement and a range of frugal engines. There's also an impressively economical BlueMotion Technology version that is capable of 67.3mpg, while it emits 109g/km of CO2. Like the standard Golf, it's easy and enjoyable to drive whether in town or on the motorway, while its compact dimensions make it simple to park. There's even a system available called Park Assist which actually steers the car into parallel spaces for you. Of course, the Estate takes its key styling cues from the hatchback: there’s a new front bumper and body-coloured rear bumper, new wheel designs and revised tail lights as well as a new dashboard and updated interior. The trim range comprises S, SE and Sportline that are all available as BlueMotion versions. Standard kit includes air conditioning, a CD player, multifunction computer, electric windows and mirrors and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, stability control, anti-whiplash head restraints and six airbags. Two petrol and three diesel engines are available and number of different gearboxes are offered, including the seven-speed DSG automatic. Essentially, this is the practical version of a popular hatchback and, with a 505-litre boot with seats in place rising to a maximum of 1,495 litres with the rear seats folded, it’s a strong contender in a segment that includes the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra estates, Peugeot 308 SW, Kia cee’d SW and the Renault Mégane Sport Tourer. The frugal diesel models are the most popular, making up more than 80% of Golf Estate models and the most popular single model is likely to be the SE 1.6-litre TDI 103bhp. Fleet buyers account for 65% of Golf Estate sales. To find out more, read the full Volkswagen Golf Estate review that follows.
4 out of 5

Other Volkswagen reviews

3 out of 5

Running costs

Most engines in the line-up are economical, especially the diesels, so running costs should be affordable. The BlueMotion Technology is the pick of the bunch with low emissions making it cheap to tax, while average fuel economy is 67mpg. Volkswagen servicing rates tend to be a little higher than equivalents like Honda or Ford, but the quality should be good. Servicing intervals are variable, depending upon usage, but the on-board indicator will signal when a service is required anywhere up to two years or 20,000 miles. Volkswagen Golf Estate running costs will be helped by the fixed-price servicing plans on offer which can cover (for example) three years or 30,000 miles of servicing for a one-off cost.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,279 - £1,395 *

Diesel

£957 - £1,233 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Variable servicing (up to approximately 18,000 miles or two years) or fixed servicing (at every 10,000 miles or 12 months) can be chosen when new. It is possible to change from one to another during the vehicle’s life, but it can only be done when a full inspection service is due.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£20.00 - £135.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

4 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
    109
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
    146
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

All the engines in the Golf Estate line-up are relatively efficient and even the two TSI petrols have impressively low CO2 and strong fuel economy considering the performance they offer. The greenest version is the BlueMotion Technology model that uses the 1.6 TDI engine. It emits 109g/km of CO2 and averages 67mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2