The new estate completes the Golf-based model range, joining the three- and five-door hatchbacks, Touran, Jetta and Golf Plus.
The estate is the most utilitarian of the bunch. It’s fine from the front, where it gets the classier chrome grille from the Jetta as opposed to the standard Golf’s more sober affair. But the rear combines boring with unattractive, giving the car an older feel.
The 2.0 diesel engine is also on the noisy side, though the emissions figure of 148g/km is good.
Boot space is impressive, however. The 505 litres with rear seats up is significantly more than either the Astra or Focus estate rivals. And seats down, 1550 litres matches the Astra and beats the Focus by more than 100 litres.
Costs are also good. At 27.3 pence per mile, the Golf estate comfortably beats its mainstream rivals.
Verdict: Sober styling spoils a practical and cost-efficient package.
