The new VW Golf Estate is peak sensible

Let’s start at the back. The new Volkswagen Golf Estate has 1,642-litres of boot, which means it’s not just more spacious than the car it replaces (to the tune of 22-litres), but more practical than, for example, a Volvo V60 or BMW 3 Series Touring.

That extra space comes largely from more physical bigness – at 4,633mm long the Mk8 is a whopping 349mm longer than the Mk7, with a 66mm longer wheelbase. Which is probably why it looks a bit odd from the rear three-quarter. Certainly not as good-looking as the new Skoda Octavia Estate, is it?

Inside, under the bonnet and generally just fore of the B-pillar, the new Estate shares everything with the Golf hatchback. From the controversially button-free dashboard (“hardly anything is carried over from before – apart from the perfect ergonomic design” claims VW, wrongly) to the 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol engines. You can read our review of the Mk8 VW Golf, including its interior and engines, by clicking on these words.

Oh, and alongside the Golf Estate VW is launching the Alltrack. It’s a lifted Golf Estate with permanent all-wheel drive and special bumpers – a bit like an Audi A6 Allroad or Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain. Niche.

Both are set to go on sale later this year.