Skip advert
Advertisement

New Volkswagen Golf R Estate 2022 review

Can the new Volkswagen Golf R Estate hold its own in a world full of performance SUVs? We find out...

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Volkswagen Golf
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

Verdict

No VW in the brand’s line-up quite nails the performance/practicality brief as well as the estate version of its core R model, the Golf. It’s not without fault, and is a pricey machine these days, but dynamically few can match it, while it offers the performance, image and all-round ability to back up its price tag. It’s a strong continuation of the Golf R Estate lineage.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you want a fast family-focused Volkswagen that combines pace and practicality, in 2022 you have lots of choice. There’s the VW T-Roc R, for example, or the larger but also pricier Tiguan R if you need more space. But with the rise in popularity of the performance SUV niche giving birth to these two cars, does the brand’s Golf R Estate still have what it takes to tick the aforementioned boxes?

Priced from £43,175, in budget terms it sits between the hot T-Roc and Tiguan; it offers 20bhp more than the former and just four litres less boot space than the latter, yet it costs £4,035 less. If you want to define an all-rounder, the Golf R Estate could well be one of the closest cars to personifying this trait on sale today.

Let’s recap the recipe, which is familiar. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the same unit that powers the five-door hatch and its hot Tiguan sibling.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It sends drive to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, while there’s the option to add the same clever torque-vectoring rear differential as the hatchback to boost agility further still. It costs £2,095 as part of the R performance pack, which also adds a larger rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels and progressive steering. You can also add adaptive dampers for a further £815.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On the move, and with our car’s optional dampers set to their soft setting, the Estate’s longer wheelbase compared with the hatchback means that, even on 19-inch alloys, the ride is composed and comfortable. There’s little pitch over bigger bumps, and the suspension absorbs the worst a winter-beaten B-road so common at this time of year can throw at it.

If you toggle up towards Race through the 15-stage setting on the Dynamic Chassis Control menu the Golf R stiffens up noticeably, sharpening its body control and adding more poise – to the point that you forget its concessions towards practicality and engage with it purely on its dynamic ability.

While it’s lumpier in its touch over bad surfaces, it also rolls less, so you can be more aggressive with the light, fast but ultimately mostly mute steering. It’s a very effective approach to going quickly, and while the car’s MQB underpinnings make it still feel a little more inert than rivals, VW has unlocked just a little more sense of humour than its predecessor.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The added security of 4MOTION four-wheel drive allows you to deploy everything the engine has to offer – which is 316bhp and a solid 420Nm of torque spread over more than 3,000rpm. With launch control 0-62mph takes just 4.9 seconds, and despite the mid-range grunt giving plenty of flexibility, the motor revs sweetly and only loses its linear pull a little before the rev limiter. The gearbox’s changes are fast on the way up but could be slightly swifter going down the ratios in manual mode, but it’s a minor gripe.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The bigger issue is the artificial sound piped into the cabin with the powertrain in Race mode, where you get the sharpest responses from the engine and transmission. It sounds like a droney generator and is not particularly pleasant, so it’s useful that you can opt for the ‘Pure’ engine sound setting in the Individual driving mode, which just gives you a sporty exhaust note and none of the artificial noise.

As with all Mk 8 Golfs – and VW’s ID. products – the touchscreen interface is another source of frustration. While the panel is loaded with features, too many of them are hidden in sub-menus of sub-menus, and the display is still too slow to respond on occasion. Combined with the touch-sensitive sliders it makes simple tasks such as changing the volume or temperature too difficult, which is a shame.

Sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital dash, wireless phone charging, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise, a host of safety kit including autonomous braking and traffic jam assist, plus front and rear parking sensors are all fitted as standard.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

So are a pair of nicely trimmed, supportive R-branded sports seats, with plenty of blue interior accents to remind you you’re in the top rung of the Golf range. Quality is mostly good too, with only a few zones of hard plastic – but even then, areas such as the door bins are flock-lined, which is a nice touch.

There’s ample space in the rear, so back-seat passengers will have little to complain about, and with a 611-litre boot (the all-wheel drive R’s rear differential eats into boot space slightly compared with front-wheel drive models, but of course there’s no Golf GTI Estate available, so this is your only performance wagon option) there’s enough luggage room too.

With its lower ride height compared with a fast SUV the Golf R Estate is also easier to load than some rivals that overlap this category.

Other points of practicality include claimed fuel efficiency of up to 36mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 178g/km, which are respectable numbers, but you’ll have to drive with some self-restraint to achieve them.

Still, given this repertoire the Golf R Estate still lays claim to that all-rounder tagline we wanted to know if it could live up to.

Model:Volkswagen Golf R Estate
Price: £43,175
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power/torque: 316bhp/420Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Economy/CO2: 36mpg/178g/km
On sale: Now
Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Golf R

Top 10 best fast family cars 2024
Best fast family cars - February update
Best cars & vans
1 Feb 2024

Top 10 best fast family cars 2024

Having a family shouldn't limit you to a boring hatchback or people carrier - here's our top 10 fast family cars
New Volkswagen Golf R facelift: four-wheel-drive hot hatch looks cool in the snow
Volkswagen Golf R facelift - front
News
29 Jan 2024

New Volkswagen Golf R facelift: four-wheel-drive hot hatch looks cool in the snow

The hottest Golf has been spotted trying to cool off
Best used hot hatchbacks 2024
Best used hot hatchbacks - header image
Best cars & vans
12 Jan 2024

Best used hot hatchbacks 2024

Our picks for the best used hot hatchbacks in the UK
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf R let loose on the Nurburgring
Volkswagen Golf R hatchback Mk8.5 test car - front cornering
News
14 Nov 2023

Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf R let loose on the Nurburgring

VW’s hottest Golf hatchback is about to be updated with new tech and styling elements
New Volkswagen Golf R 333 teased as the next special edition R
Volkswagen Golf R 333 - front static
News
4 May 2023

New Volkswagen Golf R 333 teased as the next special edition R

Picking up from where the R 20 Years left off, the VW Golf R 333 dons a new hue but won’t be offered in the UK
Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review
Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years - front tracking
Car group tests
18 Mar 2023

Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review

New Honda Civic Type R locks horns with most powerful VW Golf R ever for bragging rights
Top 10 best fast estate cars
Best fast estates - header image
Best cars & vans
27 Jan 2023

Top 10 best fast estate cars

Blistering pace and excellent space, here are the best fast estate cars in the world
New Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years 2022 review
Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years - front action
Road tests
24 Nov 2022

New Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years 2022 review

Volkswagen has teased more power out of the Golf R, but can the 20 Years edition trade blows with the Mercedes-AMG A35?
New Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years sets Nurburgring benchmark for R-badged models
Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years - cornering at Nurburgring
News
23 Aug 2022

New Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years sets Nurburgring benchmark for R-badged models

New special edition posts a 7:47.31 Nurburgring lap time to beat the standard Golf R by four seconds
Skip advert
Advertisement
New load-lugging Volkswagen Golf R Estate packs 316bhp
Volkswagen Golf R Estate - front
News
6 Jul 2021

New load-lugging Volkswagen Golf R Estate packs 316bhp

The rapid Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R Estate will hit showrooms this August
2021 Volkswagen Golf R Estate spied testing at Nürburgring
Volkswagen Golf R estate spy - front
News
23 Mar 2021

2021 Volkswagen Golf R Estate spied testing at Nürburgring

Hot VW Golf R Estate on sale shortly with more aggressive styling and 316bhp
Skip advert
Advertisement
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Volkswagen Golf R - front
Car group tests
17 Mar 2021

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Volkswagen Golf R

We bring the fastest versions of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 together to find the best performance variant
New 316bhp Volkswagen Golf R on sale from £39,270
News
3 Dec 2020

New 316bhp Volkswagen Golf R on sale from £39,270

Mk8 edition of the Volkswagen Golf R is on sale now, and out-muscles its closest rivals with 316bhp and 420Nm
Volkswagen Golf R review
Volkswagen Golf R 2017 corner
In-depth reviews
20 Apr 2020

Volkswagen Golf R review

When a regular Golf GTI isn’t sufficiently extreme, the VW Golf R steps up to the mark
New Volkswagen Golf R Mountune M52 2019 review
Mountune VW Golf R - front tracking
Road tests
18 Aug 2019

New Volkswagen Golf R Mountune M52 2019 review

Mountune have extracted another level of performance out of the Volkswagen Golf R, but are the upgrades worth it?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mercedes-AMG A 35 vs Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R
mercedes-amg a35 vs honda civic type r vs vw golf r header
Car group tests
23 Feb 2019

Mercedes-AMG A 35 vs Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R

We see if the hot new Mercedes-AMG A 35 can leave the Civic Type R and Golf R hot hatches trailing
Used Volkswagen Golf R review
Used Volkswagen Golf R - front
Used car tests
24 Dec 2018

Used Volkswagen Golf R review

A full buyer’s guide on the Volkswagen Golf R covering the Golf R Mk7 (2014-date)
Volkswagen Golf R vs Honda Civic Type R
Volkswagen Golf R vs Honda Civic Type R - header
Car group tests
18 Jul 2018

Volkswagen Golf R vs Honda Civic Type R

New Volkswagen Golf R Performance pack meets the class-leading Honda Civic Type R in a hot hatch battle
Volkswagen Golf R power dropped down to 296bhp due to WLTP
Best hot hatchbacks - Volkswagen Golf R
News
5 Jul 2018

Volkswagen Golf R power dropped down to 296bhp due to WLTP

Volkswagen's top hot hatch follows the SEAT Leon Cupra with a reduction in power to appease new emissions laws
New Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack 2018 review
Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack - front
Road tests
8 Jun 2018

New Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack 2018 review

The Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack carries a £2,300 premium over the standard R. Is it worth the extra money?
Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack comes to the UK
Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack rear
News
9 Nov 2017

Volkswagen Golf R Performance Pack comes to the UK

£2,300 VW Golf R dynamic updates include new brakes, tweaked suspension and 166mph top speed
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Volkswagen Golf R 2017 review
Volkswagen Golf R 2017 corner
Road tests
28 Mar 2017

New Volkswagen Golf R 2017 review

A supremely capable and surprisingly quick hot hatch, the latest VW Golf R isn't cheap and faces talented rivals
Volkswagen Golf R facelift adds extra power
Golf R 2017
News
4 Jan 2017

Volkswagen Golf R facelift adds extra power

Updates for VW Golf R include a subtle new look and a bit more power for the 2.0-litre turbo petrol