Volkswagen Golf R Estate Review & Prices

No, this isn’t an image of a Golf R hatchback that’s been stretched out. But your eyes are not deceiving you. This is the new elongated Golf R Estate, with a lot more room in the back.

If the Golf R and Golf R Estate were siblings, they would be identical twins who look exactly the same, apart from the fact that one is considerably longer than the other. Awkward… 

That means you get the same styling tweaks, with the R style LED blue strip on the front bumper, four (real) chrome exhaust pipes and sporty 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. 

The Golf R definitely looks sporty and more conspicuous than previous generations. Although compared to the standard hatch, the Estate seems to be a little more grown up. 

Under the bonnet lies the same 320hp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the hatch, which also produces 420Nm of torque. It drives all four wheels through a DSG automatic gearbox; with no manual available. Just like the hatch, the Estate has a top speed of 155mph. However,  whereas the standard Golf R can manage 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds, the heavier Estate manages it in 4.9 seconds. Although, weighing an extra 180kg, this isn’t surprising. 

Just like the R hatch, the Estate is lower to the ground than the standard Golf, with stiffer suspension for better handling and upgraded brakes for more stopping oomph. The party piece for this latest generation of Golf R has to be the 4Motion system. In a nutshell, the system manages power between the front and rear axle but also between the two individual rear wheels. More power goes to the outside wheel to help you through a corner. Sporty stuff.

For the tech bods out there, you might be interested in the Dynamic Chassis Control Pack for an extra £840, where you can adjust the dampers to your liking with 15 different settings. If you’re after more sporty thrills, you can add the R Performance Pack for £2,200 which gives you an increased top speed of 168mph, 19-inch alloy wheels and a ‘drift mode’. Yes, you read that right. A Volkswagen estate that can drift. 

Despite the extra weight and longer wheelbase, thanks to the clever 4 Motion system, it's still good fun to drive, with plenty of grip in the corners. Although the Cupra Leon Estate, which shares several parts with the Golf R Estate, actually feels a bit more enjoyable to drive, lighter and more playful on a country road.

The stylish sports seats are supportive through wiggly country roads and yet still comfy on long motorway cruises, where you’ll manage around 40mpg. Not too shabby.

Inside, you’ll find sporty blue R accents and sporty R seats and steering wheel. Annoyingly the same touch control sliders and buttons on the steering wheel and for the climate control settings also make an appearance on the Estate. They’re rather infuriating to use, especially if you just want to tweak the volume by a notch - there is a significant possibility of deafening yourself.

To add insult to injury, some of the materials still feel a bit shoddy and cheap for what you’re paying, although the cabin does look smart and is well laid out. If you’re prepared to spend a bit more money and want a fast estate that feels more premium inside, check out our review on the Mercedes AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake.

The 10.2-inch digital driver’s display comes as standard and that allows you to customise the dials and layout to your preferences. A 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen also comes as standard and the image is crisp, and the touchscreen responsive. 

The Estate has a longer wheelbase than the standard hatch, so you get a bit more leg room in the back. But the real change is in the boot. Compared to the decent 374 litres you get on the normal Golf R, the Estate has a stonking 611 litres of boot storage. With the rear seats down, you’ll have 1642 litres of storage, more than enough for chucking a bicycle in the back without taking the wheels off. 

The Golf R is one of those jack of all trades - It’s pretty good at everything. The Golf R Estate may be heavier and slower than the hatch, but it’s still good fun to drive, and very practical.

If you’re after a fast family car, the Golf R Estate should definitely be on your list.