VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ESTATE READER REVIEWS

My car

My last 5 cars have been Hondas but I was looking for a car with a small diesel engine promising low emissions and good economy so the offer of a 10 plated (March) Golf Estate with 4500 miles on the clock at a bargain price was too good to miss. The car is no looker but it exudes quality. The fit and finish are superb. It rides well with wind and road noise well supressed and it offers excellent ergonomics. The cabin is a pleasing place to be, offering good levels of comfort and plenty of luggage space. I have covered 3000 miles of mixed motoring over the last two months. My only real complaint is that the high gearing and small engine compromise flexibilty. It is too easy to be caught in the wrong gear- in this respect the car is very unforgiving and would benefit from a 6 speed box. Even on the level at 40mph, with the gear indicator indicating 5th, the engine often sounds and feels stressed. At the moment I cannot see where VW's claimed 62 mpg is coming from for at 50mpg it is no more economical than my previous and much more powerful Civic. However, this concern apart, I'm very pleased with my purchase.

My car

So far have had this car for 3 months and have done 5,000 miles.

Probably most impressive is the shear quality of the cabin. Everything is well made and all the controls are beautifully tactile and well placed. Nothing rattles or squeaks and the seats are comfortable over 3-4 hour trips.

Boot space is also good with the Golf easily equalling other comparative size cars in the company car park and is very close to many of the next class up.

The engine is an absolute jewel, with performance being as rapid as one would wish and noise levels being very subdued. What noise you do hear is very pleasant and un-dieselike. Fuel economy is also excellent, with the car averaging between 55-60 MPG when driven around the speed limit on the motorway. Around town the Golf averages 35-43 MPG, depending on traffic.

It is rock steady on the motorway but also handles the twisty bits surprisingly well for an estate. Refinement is also a strong point with the tyre and wind noise being far better suppressed than my previous Octavia.

The only negatives are the wheels, which, although looking great, tend to be kerb magnets. The rear view camera and dipping nearside wing mirror are well worth having. My car also has the RCD 510 radio which sounds lovely.

I really can't recommend this car highly enough, with many in the company car park (Audi and BMW drivers) admitting to being surprised at just how good the humble Golf is. It really is a complete all rounder.

My car

60 plate - 10k miles. Its a small capacity diesel Golf Estate. Don't expect fireworks. Inside - well crafted. Everything is in the right place, its all touchy-feely in the right places and it all works with satisfying VW efficiency. Outside - looks like the designers got bored after the b-pillar, just like they did with previous Golf Estates. Not horrendous, but you won't glance back at it to admire it. You'll lock it and walk away. Performance - yes, limited, of course. What did you expect? But enough in the engine to keep you moving along easily enough. Won't satisfy those who always want to press on, but is more than enough for the rest of us. Practicality - very good. Driver/passenger compartment is a decent size and (thank heavens!) there are plenty of cubby holes. Get the underseat trays, if you can. Boot is excellent. Not the largest, but definitely the best shaped (which helps enormously). Skoda Octavia boot is slightly bigger, but the suspension struts intrude and ruin the straight sides. Golf Estate is definitely more usuable day-to-day. Economy - the possible sticking point in a designated "green" model. 55mpg average (lots of motorway/A road miles) is typical, which I don't think is good enough when the previous Volvo V50 1.6d eDrive easily got to 60mpg+ most of the time. If you want some space (but not too much), economy and a decent drive, the Golf Estate should be on your list.

My car

OK, it's no looker. And it's quite boring to drive too, at least if you consider a total lack of negative shocks boring. That means that it's very comfortable, but still bites well when you chase around curvy roads. It's got predictable and solid behaviour on the snow. In winter temperatures you won't get the consumption figures VW promises, as every modern diesel needs time to heat up properly. Once the engine is warm, though, you get low 0,4s outside of town. The DSG truly impresses, the seats are good and every little knob and button just works just the way it should (but seldom does in real life in other cars). Drawbacks? Yes, the rearview mirrors are too small. The head light washing doesn't clean the high beams good enough.