New Volkswagen Golf Estate review
Author: David Miles
Published: 20 November 2007
The new VW Golf Estate is an ideal option for down-sizers from slightly larger premium brand estates supplied by the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar and less expensive, but larger still estates such as the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Vectra. To be able to down-size without being seen to be going down-market is a very important factor.
The Golf Estate visually looks an expensive up-market car, certainly not just a Golf Hatchback with a bigger rear end. If you combine the Golf Estate’s elegant appearance with the acknowledged performance and handling characteristics, hallmarks of the Golf Hatchback, you have a winning combination.
Add in the classy cabin, a really good sized load area with lots of good load securing and concealing features, high build quality, a high level of specification at pretty good prices and the appeal of the overall package the Golf Estate offers makes it worthy of serious consideration for estate car buyers.
My test version, the 2.0-litre SE 140PS TDI model, priced at £17,862, will, not be the most popular version with fleet car users because of its engine size and on-the-road price.
But for private buyers and business user-choosers 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.
Engines
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 of 12 is much higher 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 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.
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 140PS (138bhp) of power and 320Nm of torque provided from 1,750rpm the 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel engine maybe noisy whilst the car is stationary but underway the noise slips away and the power feeds in very smoothly.
Mated with 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.
Top speed is 127mph and 0 to 62mph is covered in 9.8 seconds. It is no ‘express’ but it does the job pretty well and it is economical.
Handling and ride
I would have expected that growing the very fine handling Golf Hatchback 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 rather than the cheaper beam-axle design generally employed on estates of this size.
Road noise intrusion is low so it feels as though you are driving a ‘premium’ brand car. Add in the high specification and up-market cabin quality and there really is no penalty or hardship by moving down in size to a Golf Estate.
Overall it is a great estate car package at reasonable prices with solid residual values.
MILESTONES
VW Golf Estate SE 2.0 TDI 140PS
Price: £17,862
Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged direct injection diesel, 140PS, 320Nm, with a six-speed manual gearbox
Performance: 127mph, 0-62mph 9.8 seconds, 50.4mpg (51.4mpg actual), CO2 148g/km, VED Band C £115
Insurance group: 12. For: Roomy and practical load area space, up-market cabin, good level of specification and safety equipment, up-market exterior styling, excellent driving and handling qualities, good mpg and low CO2 emissions, good residual values.
Against: Noisy diesel engine at start up and tickover, limited headroom for tall drivers, high insurance rating for this model
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Had the car nearly 12months, done just under 15000 miles, knocking on the front end, had a new steering rack which in turn made the exhaust rattle, knocking on the rear end, new rear anti roller bar and the problem still isn´t fixed so there next guess is a spot weld?? Excellent car apart for the above.
i´ve done about 19000 and just had the first service. Leak on the turbo, and the steering rack needs to be replaced... wonder if this steering problem is a common problem! Nice car overall!
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