New 2020 Volkswagen Golf Estate boosts practicality

This is the all-new Volkswagen Golf Estate, which lands in UK dealerships at the end of the year.

The new wagon is considerably longer than before, with a gain of nearly 35cm taking it to 4,633mm, while the wheelbase increases by 66mm. As a result, boot capacity is 611 litres with the rear seats in place, and 1,642 litres with them folded.

That’s a gain of 22 litres over the Mk7 Golf Estate, but it’s still 50 litres less than you’ll find in the latest Skoda Octavia Estate. The Golf’s luggage area contains bag hooks, fastening rings and load-bay lighting as standard, while a powered tailgate and foot-gesture control are available.

The relatively modest gain in boot space reflects that VW has used the extra length to fit a more rakish rear screen, in an attempt to give the Golf Estate a sportier look. The car is identical to the hatchback up to the B-pillars, though, with the same new front-end and daytime running lights.

Inside, the Estate’s front cabin will look familiar to anyone who’s seen the hatch. There are fewer physical buttons than before, with heating and ventilation controls integrated into a touch-sensitive bar that runs beneath the infotainment screen. A fully digital instrument panel is standard across the range.

Under the bonnet, the Mk8 Golf Estate will use the same engines as the hatch. VW has yet to confirm what will be offered to UK customers, but the line-up is likely to start with a 109bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol, while the 1.5 TSI petrol will be available in several states of tune, including a 48v mild-hybrid version. A pair of 2.0 TDI diesels producing 113bhp or 148bhp are also likely to be offered.

Life, Style and sport-focused R-Line trim – as seen in these official images – will be offered, and a rapid Golf R Estate is likely to make a return.

There will also be a more rugged Golf Alltrack. This will be four-wheel drive only, and feature a raised ride height and plastic cladding on the bumpers and wheelarches. Again, no specs have been released, but expect this model to benefit from higher-output engines and a dual-clutch automatic. Depending on spec, the Alltrack will be able to tow up to two tonnes.

The new Golf Estate is expected to go on sale in the UK before the end of 2020, with only a modest price increase over the hatch, starting at around £24,500.

Now read our in-depth review of the new Volkswagen Golf hatchback…