Used Volkswagen Golf Estate for sale: everything you need to know

The latest generation of the Volkswagen Golf Estate arrived in 2020, based on the eighth-generation Golf. It remains a car you should have on your shortlist if you’re considering a compact estate car, just like its predecessors.

In typical evolutionary style, the latest Golf Estate doesn’t move the game on hugely from its predecessor, but it didn’t really need to. You get marginally more space and refinement, and slightly iffy touchscreen-based controls aside, it’s just as easy and satisfying to live with as Golf Estates have ever been.

The Skoda Octavia Estate and SEAT Leon Estate both share the Golf’s platform and both make fine alternatives to the VW, while compact estates from other brands include the Ford Focus Estate, Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, and as an offbeat choice, the MINI Clubman.

Should you buy a Volkswagen Golf Estate?

The Volkswagen Golf has always been easy to recommend as a family car, and if you need a little more space from that family car but want to avoid buying something more expensive and more difficult to park, then the Golf Estate could be perfect.

It has all the qualities of the regular Golf, but a significantly bigger boot - 611 litres, up from 381 litres in the hatchback. And once you’re behind the wheel, you’d struggle to tell there’s all that extra space behind you, as it drives just as well as the hatchback, is equally refined, and thanks to a similar engine lineup, you also get similar performance and economy.

There are no GTI, GTE or GTD models in the Golf Estate lineup, but Volkswagen does offer a Golf R Estate for speed freaks, and has previously offered an off-road-styled Golf Alltrack. With several trim levels and engines to choose from though there’s probably a Golf Estate out there that’ll suit most needs.

Like the hatch, you may have to take some time getting used to some of the controls in the cabin, as a lot of commonly-used functions are accessed through the touchscreen. But for comfort, built quality and space, the Golf is among the better cars in this class.

You do get even more space in the Skoda Octavia Estate, which is generally more affordable too, while the SEAT Leon Estate is another car related to the Golf. The Ford Focus Estate is entertaining to drive, and if you’re after a bit of style and don’t mind sacrificing some space, then the MINI Clubman is an interesting choice too.

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What’s the best used Volkswagen Golf Estate model to buy?

As a brand new car in our full review, we recommended looking at a 1.0 TSI with a manual gearbox in Life trim. We see no reason to suggest any different when it comes to buying a used Golf Estate, as the entry-level model is well equipped and the smallest engine is still punchy enough for everyday use, and with care you can squeeze 50mpg from it, which used to be the preserve of diesels

There’s something very appealing about the Golf Alltrack though, if you can find one. It’s a distinctive and smartly-styled alternative to buying a crossover or SUV, and the 200PS 2-litre turbodiesel engine gives it a surprising turn of pace.

Used Volkswagen Golf Estate fuel economy and performance

• Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.0 TSI/eTSI 110: With a 1-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the 1.0 TSI (manual) and eTSI (DSG automatic) makes 110PS, for 0-62mph in 10.2 and 10.3 seconds respectively. Economy is up to 51.4mpg for the manual, 54.3mpg for the DSG.
• Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.5 TSI/eTSI 130: Like the 1-litre car, the 1.5 is badged TSI for manual models and eTSI for DSG cars. Both make 130PS, with a 9.1-second 0-62mph time for both, and the same 50.4mpg combined economy.
• Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.5 TSI/eTSI 150: The more powerful 1.5 develops 150PS, getting from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds regardless of gearbox. The manual manages 50.4mpg, the DSG 49.6mpg.
• Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0 TDI 115: With a 115PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the same six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG options as the petrol versions, the Golf Estate delivers 0-62mph times of 10.2 and 10.4 seconds, and combined economy of 65.7 and 62.8mpg.
• Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0 TDI 150: The 150PS version of the 2.0 TDI again has manual and DSG options, getting from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds in the manual, and 8.6 for the DSG. The manual is slightly more frugal, at 61.4mpg to 60.1mpg.
• Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0 TDI 200 4Motion: The Alltrack comes with a 200PS TDI, with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG automatic. 0-62mph takes 6.8 seconds, and economy is up to 50.4mpg combined.

What used Volkswagen Golf Estate trim levels are available?

The Golf Estate has a fairly straightforward range, stepping up through Life and Style trim lines, through a sporty R-Line, and an off-road inspired Alltrack, the latter the most powerful Golf outside of the GTI and Golf R models not offered in estate form.

• The Volkswagen Golf Estate Life comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, fabric seat trim, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, climate control, electric and heated door mirrors, keyless go, adaptive cruise control, a digital instrument cluster, front and rear parking sensors, and an electronic differential lock.
• The Volkswagen Golf Estate Style adds 17-inch alloys, an LED strip in the grille, a cornering function for the headlights, wood-style decorative interior inserts, microfleece and microfibre seat trim, front sports seats, ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, and extra driver assistance functions.
• The Volkswagen Golf Estate R-Line has a different 17-inch wheel design, lowered sports suspension, cloth and microfleece seat trim, R-Line sports seats, a heated steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, and R-Line exterior styling.
• The Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack is the only model available with all-wheel drive, and has 17-inch alloys, increased ground clearance, unique cloth seat trim, an Alltrack exterior styling pack, and silver anodised roof rails.

Used Volkswagen Golf Estate dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen Golf Estate’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4633mm (Alltrack 4639mm)
• Width: 1789mm (without mirrors, Alltrack 1795mm), 2073mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1498mm (Alltrack 1510mm)

The Volkswagen Golf Estate’s boot size is:

• 611 litres
• 1845 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Volkswagen Golf Estate road tax

All Volkswagen Golf Estates (save the high performance Golf R, not covered here) will set you back the same £180 annual Vehicle Excise Duty bill. Only hybrid and electric rivals are cheaper to tax, thanks to the £10 saving allowed for alternative fuel vehicles, and the free tax for EVs.

How much is it to insure a Volkswagen Golf Estate?

The cheapest Golf Estates to insure start in group 14 out of 50, which applies to both the 1.0 TSI and lowest-power TDI, in Life trim. The Alltrack is most expensive, with a group 26 rating, but broadly, a Golf Estate should be little different in terms of insurance costs from most of its rivals.

Read our full Volkswagen Golf Estate review