The VW Golf Estate is a more practical version of the hugely popular hatchback 
It shares many of hatchback's plus points, including a high-quality interior and great driving experience Petrol, diesel and high-performance GTD diesel engines are available – as well as a hot R version The Golf Estate tends to blend in rather than standing out, but it's a handsome car nonetheless Key rivals for the Golf Estate include the Ford Focus Estate and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Match Edition spec provides the best balance of standard kit and an affordable list price Other trims include entry-level S and sport GT, while VW also offers a rugged Golf Alltrack Estate We prefer the more powerful 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine to the entry-level 1.2-litre, which is a bit gutless Diesel is still the engine of choice for most estate buyers though and VW's 1.6-litre is excellent The GT and Match Edition can be specified with adjustable suspension to tweak the ride quality to your taste The Golf has a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating and additional active safety kit can be added All Golf Estates have a stop-start system to boost efficiency The Golf Estate isn't thrilling to drive but can hold its own on a twisty back road VW offers affordable monthly payments to cover servicing The Golf Estate has a robust and high-quality interior, but it's not the most attractive design Front-seat occupants have plenty of room and there's lots of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel The Golf Estate's boot isn't the very biggest in the class, but it can still carry a lot Folding rear seats boost versatility
