Volkswagen Golf R Estate, motor review: New load-lugger aims to cover all bases

It's practical, user-friendly and fast - but does it succeed?

Volkswagen’s Golf R has become legendary. It’s fast; very fast. It has a character all of its own, in the way only a hot hatch can. But can that personality translate to an estate body? Let’s find out.

First, the differences. Of course, the £33,585 Golf R Estate is longer than its hatchback brother. It needs to accommodate its raison d’etre, a 605-litre, 1.8-metre through-load bay, after all. Its rear suspension set-up has been stiffened as well.

Then the similarities – of which there are gratifyingly many. In short, yes, this high-performance, 296bhp station wagon delivers everything the hatchback does, and arguably more, thanks to its additional practicality. The free-revving 2.0-litre turbo transfers its muscle and 280lb ft of torque to all four wheels via a six-speed DSG transmission, hitting 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds.

It sounds great – in Race Mode in particular, which opens up the outer two of the quad tailpipes, along with an acoustic flap in the bulkhead to allow extra induction noise into the cockpit. This mode also tightens up the already excellent body control, but without overdoing the firmness. It’s perfectly judged, even with optional £830 adjustable shocks.

Innate speed and usability on the road are the standout characteristics here. The Golf R Estate’s highly competent 4WD set-up can send the torque to the front or rear wheels, and understeer is brought under control by the XDS+ system, which brakes the inside wheels under hard cornering. Tunable steering is alert, not edgy. It’s all extremely entertaining. Inside the superbly built cabin, you’ll find everything you love about Golfs – plus an R model-only pair of very impressive front sports seats.

Superb value – as an estate, as a performance machine and as a classy, one-off multi-tasker.

Price £33,585

Engine 4cyl, 1984cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power 296bhp at 5500-6200rpm

Torque 280lb ft at 1800-5500rpm

Gearbox 6spd dual-clutch automatic

Kerbweight 1574kg

Top speed 155mph

0-62mph 5.1sec

Economy 40.4mpg (combined)

CO2 rating and BIK tax band 162g/km, 27%