The seventh-generation Golf was unveiled in 2012 and went on sale in Europe for the 2013 model year and crossed the pond to the United States for the 2015 model year. Built on the same MQB platform as the Audi A3, Seat Leon, and Skoda Octavia, the Golf Mk7 sports a more angular design and a longer wheelbase, while also being longer and wider than its predecessor. The roomier cabin gained new features and technology, including adaptive cruise control, a collision avoidance system, and driver fatigue detection. The compact arrived with a couple of brand-new engines, while the units that carried over were upgraded. Like its predecessor, the Golf Mk7 was made available in a variety of body styles and versions, including three- and five-door hatchback, wagon (Variant), GTi, GTE, and R. Now, the high-selling compact received its mid-cycle facelift in 2016.

Unveiled for the 2017 model year in Europe and the 2018 model year in North America the facelift brought new engines, a sharper design, new driver assistance systems, and a completely new generation of infotainment systems to all iterations of the seventh-generation Golf. The wagon version, also known as the Variant in Europe, will also benefit from these changes including the new exterior features front and rear and the brand-new, 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine.

There's no official word as to when the revised Golf wagon will cross the pond to the U.S., but it's safe to assume that it will arrive in dealerships alongside the hatchback sometime in 2017. Drivetrain details are also incomplete as of this writing, but Volkswagen should release more data closer to the car's showroom introduction. Meanwhile, let's have a closer look at what we already know about the Golf Variant, or SportWagen as it will be known here in the U.S.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Golf Variant.

2018 Volkswagen Golf Variant

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Volkswagen Golf Variant
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not surprisingly, the revised Golf isn't very different compared to the outgoing model, with most exterior changes being minor nips and tucks. Up front, revisions include a radiator grille chrome strip that extends through the LED daytime running lights, new LED headlamps are that optional on lower priced trims and standard on the more expensive models, and a redesigned bumper. The latter now features a wider grille, reshaped foglamps, and a black strip just below the license plate.


Volkswagen also removed the radar sensor for Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Assist system from the lower cooling air intake, which is now hidden behind the emblem in the radiator grille.

Around back, the Variant gained new LED taillights, as did all versions of the Golf. Range-topping models also come with animated flowing indicators and a striking switch-over between the LED taillight and the LED brake lights when the brakes are applied. While the hatchback continues with the old bumper, the wagon sports a new element. Optionally, customers can order trapezoidal chrome trim panels for the diffuser-like section. This feature is borrowed from the larger Passat Variant model.

Competing designs

The Golf Variant has two main competitors in Europe, the Ford Focus Estate and the Seat Leon ST. Another successful vehicle in many markets, the Focus Estate (left) was revised in 2014, when it received the brand's then-new corporate face with the Aston Martin-inspired grille, slimmer, angular headlamps, and new front bumper. While the front fascia is a tad more aggressive than the Golf, the rear end looks more utilitarian, which makes the Focus Estate a cool styling combination. Moving over to the Seat Leon ST (right), which shares underpinnings and many features with the Golf, the Spanish wagon is all fresh for 2017, having received a comprehensive facelift. The redesigned bodywork makes the Leon quite pleasant to look at, and unless you're not a stickler for the Volkswagen badge, it's a good option as far as design goes.

Interior

Inside the cabin, the Golf carries over with almost no changes in terms of styling. Volkswagen speaks of new decorative trim panels in the doors, dashboard, and center console, as well as new seat covers, but gives no additional information. Most likely, these won't much of a difference to buyers, but the driver seat with memory function and the customizable ambient lighting and automatic air conditioning settings might win a few new customers.


But even though the layout remains unchanged, that's not to say that the interior lacks serious upgrades. These were made in the technology department and we have quite a lot of new features to talk about.

First, the Golf now has new touchscreens based on the Active Info Display system. More importantly, this update makes the Golf the first production Volkswagen with gesture control. There is a downside to this though, as the feature only comes with the range-topping "Discover Pro" system. The instrument cluster is also new. The fully digital unit is displayed on 12.3-inch screen that includes navigation in 2D or 3D. The instrument cluster has five different information profiles, in which the information and graphics displayed in certain areas changes. Drivers can choose between “Classic”, “Consumption & Range”, “Efficiency”, “Performance & Driver Assistance” or “Navigation.” The names speak for themselves, making each profile intuitive and easy to use.

Moving over to the infotainment system, it's a new-generation MIB with new design and larger screens. The standard "Composition Color" layout has a 6.5-inch screen, while "Composition Media" and "Discover Media" come with 8.0-inch displays, all larger than the units they replaced. Finally, the "Discover Pro" has a 9.2-inch display and is the first Volkswagen infotainment system to offer both touch- and voice-command operation with gesture control in addition to proximity sensors. The “Discover Pro” package also includes an amplifier with a 420 watt output, a DVD drive, two Apple-compatible USB ports, two SD card slots, a 10 GB SSD drive, and man more. Options include a rear-view camera, DAB+, up to two extra USB sockets, and two mobile phone interfaces.

Speaking of interfaces, the Golf also comes with a Media Control app, which provides an infotainment interface for tablets and smartphones. The app can be used to control many of the functions of the infotainment system from a tablet or phone. To do this, passengers need to connect their tablet or phone to the “Discover Media” or “Discover Pro” infotainment system using the WiFi hotspot.

Another brand-new feature for the Golf is the Security & Service package. This gives the driver immediate access to assistance in a wide range of situations. Services include Automatic Accident Notification, Breakdown Call, and Service Scheduling. Breakdown Call allows the driver to use the infotainment system to contact the Volkswagen Emergency Call Center for assistance or medical attention, while the system already sends the vehicle data and its location to the emergency services when the driver calls for roadside assistance. The Security & Service function also include online monitoring of “Doors & Lights”, information on parking position, Area Alert, which notifies the driver if the Golf is driven in or leaves certain areas, and Speed Alert, which is activated as soon as a certain speed is exceeded. The Online Anti-Theft Alarm will send you a notification via the Volkswagen Car-Net app on your smartphone or by email if an attempt is made to break into the car. Pretty cool!

As far as the most important feat of a wagon's interior goes, Volkswagen had nothing to say about luggage room. This most likely means it remained unchanged at 605 liters (21.3 cubic feet) with the rear seats up and 1,620 liters (57.2 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded flat. These figures are among the best in class.

What do I get from the competition?

Styling-wise, both the Ford Focus Estate and the Seat Leon ST have everything they need to give the Golf Variant a run for its money, but the same can't be said as far as technology goes. The Leon did receive the latest-generation Easy Connect infotainment, Seat Full Link, and Seat ConnectApp with voice recognition and gesture control, but the central display measure only eight inches, being smaller than the 9.2-inch unit you can get in the more expensive Golf models. Needless to say, Volkswagen made sure that the Golf has a few extras in order to maintain its more upscale status. Moving over to the Focus Estate, the 2014 facelift added an eight-inch touchscreen, improved materials, and a cleaner center console thanks to the new infotainment system. Granted, Sync 3 didn't come with now mainstream features like Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, but Ford fixed that for 2017. On the other hand, gesture control won't be added until the next-generation model arrives in 2018.

In terms of luggage space, both the Leon ST (left) and Focus Estate (right) fall behind the Golf. With the rear seats up, the Leon offers 587 liters (20.7 cubic feet), while the Focus has 476 liters (16.8 cubic feet) of usable room. When the rear seats are folded flat, the Leon offers as much space as the Golf at 1,620 liters (57.2 cubic feet), while the Focus falls short by more than 100 liters (3.5 cubic feet) with a total capacity of 1,516 liters (53.5).

Volkswagen Golf Variant

Seat Leon ST

Ford Focus Estate

Seats up

605 liters (21.3 cubic feet)

587 liters (20.7 cubic feet)

476 liters (16.8 cubic feet)

Seats down

1,620 liters (57.2 cubic feet)

1,620 liters (57.2 cubic feet)

1,516 liters (53.5 cubic feet)


Drivetrain

There's plenty of news in the engine department too. The biggest of them all is that the facelifted Golf gets a brand-new engine. The new unit is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder that cranks out 148 turbocharged horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The small powerplant uses a new combustion cycle derived from the Miller cycle and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. The new unit replaces the 1.4-liter TSI and Volkswagen claims it needs only 4.9 liters for each 100 km. This converts to around 48 U.S. mpg, but an official rating from the EPA is not available.

Note: Standard Golf drivetrain shown here.

A more fuel efficient, BlueMotion version of the 1.5-liter will also be released at a later date. This variant will generate 128 horses and 148 pound-feet and offer an extended coasting function that shuts down the engine when the driver releases the accelerator. The deactivation feature is actually a bit revolutionary for gasoline unit, as it has only been seen in conjunction with hybrid vehicles up to now. Fuel consumption is estimated at 4.6 liters per 100 km (around 51 mpg). Volkswagen claims the extended coasting reduces consumption in "real-life operation" by up to 0.4 l/100 km (almost five mpg). Based on what happened last year with the "Dieselgate" scandal, I'm tempted to be a bit skeptic about these figures, but let's hope that Volkswagen learned its lesson.

Unfortunately, Volkswagen has yet to release information about the Golf's other drivetrains, but it's safe to assume that the previous engines will carry over with mild improvements. The gasoline lineup should include a 1.2-liter BlueMotion with just under 90 horsepower, a 1.0-liter BlueMotion with at least 113 horses, and familiar 1.8-liter four-pot with more than 170 horsepower. On the diesel front, the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter TDI units should provide between 89 horsepower and 170 pound-feet to 148 horses and 236 pound-feet, not including the performance-oriented Golf GTD.

We will be back to update this section when Volkswagen spills the beans.

Finally, the German company has also developed a new seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The new unit will help reduce CO2 emissions and will gradually replace all of the six-speed DSGs used in the Golf until now.

Competing performance

Note to Robert: I wouldn't make any tables here for the time being since there are no official output specs outside the new 1.5-liter engine

While performance figures aren't yet available and we can't roll out a comprehensive comparison, I expect the Golf to be on par with the Seat Leon, which uses the same engines except for the new 1.5-liter unit. Granted, output numbers aren't identical on all engines, but the differences aren't that big. For instance, while 1.0-liter crank out 113 horses in both cars, the 1.8-liter gets a few extra ponies in the Leon. The same goes for the 1.2-liter TSI. Diesels are actually identical, but we will have to wait for Volkswagen to roll out the new specs to be sure. All told, although the Golf is usually advertised as the more dynamic model, I doubt it will be more than a tenth-second quicker in any configuration. Moving over to the Focus, the engine lineup is just as varied, with the main difference being that you can get an Estate with more than 123 horsepower. The gasoline range includes a 1.6-liter with 84 and 104 horsepower, a 1.0-liter turbo with 99 and 123 horses, while the diesel lineup includes a 1.5-liter TDCi with 94 and 118 horsepower.

Safety

The facelift adds numerous driving assists and safety features, including Traffic Jam Assist, new Pedestrian Monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, and Trailer Assist. The latter is a first in the compact class and is designed to free the driver of the complicated rethinking needed when reversing a car and trailer. The new safety package also includes Emergency Assist and a refined passenger protection system. Just like the outgoing model, the facelifted Mk7 comes with front airbags, driver's knee airbag, side head and chest airbags, airbag cut-off switch, seat belt reminder, and ESC as standard.

What Others are Saying

Car and Driver

Car and Driver's Drew Dorian describes the Golf SportWagen as an Audi in Volkswagen clothing: "The Golf SportWagen continues to be one of the most well-rounded vehicles available, even in its most basic S trim. Niceties such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a tilting-and-telescoping steering column, a backup camera, aluminum wheels, and heated side mirrors are all standard. And that’s a good thing, because buyers who want all-wheel drive in the standard SportWagen are stuck with the base S model."

Edmunds

Edmunds believes that the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen "provides familiar Golf goodness along with a cavernous cargo area. It's a compelling alternative to similarly priced crossovers." The outlet also noted at the end of its drive test that "the rigidity of the Golf SportWagen's structure shines through, as the ride is controlled yet supple, with little harshness to speak of."

Kelley Blue Book

KBB also praised the Golf for its SUV-like cargo capacity and good fuel economy: "If you need the cargo-carrying capacity of a compact SUV, but not the added bulk or average fuel economy, the 2016 VW Golf SportWagen is the perfect solution." On the other hand, the publication believes that "without AWD, the Golf SportWagen can’t compete with the Subaru Outback or Impreza 5-door."

Prices

Pricing information for the new Golf Variant is not yet available, but it shouldn't be significantly more expensive compared to the outgoing model. In the U.K., the current wagon retails from £18,980, while the U.S.-spec model starts from $21,580.

Competing prices

Withe neither the Seat Leon ST and Ford Focus Estate available in the U.S., we need to look at other markets in order to compare prices. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Focus Estate starts from £16,295, which makes it more than £2,000 more affordable than the Golf. This difference is likely to increase a bit with the arrival of the new Variant. Moving over to the Seat Leon ST, it starts from £19,225, a modest £245 premium over the Golf. Granted, that's not much, but it's a bit surprising to see that the Seat is more expensive than the Golf. This will likely change with the facelifted model, which will probably fetch around £20,000 before options.

Ford Estate

£16,295

Seat Leon ST

£19,225

Volkswagen Golf Variant

£20,000


Note: Prices for the facelifted Golf is speculative

Competition

Ford Focus Estate

Introduced in 2010, the Focus is the oldest vehicle in this comparison. It's also a popular choice in Europe and a solid competitor for the Golf Variant. Granted, it's interior is not as fancy and lacks the Golf's new technology, while the trunk is significantly smaller, but the Focus Estate can be had for less. It's engine lineup is as diverse as they get and despite lacking gesture control and a digital instrument cluster, it has everything it needs to be a solid and reliable compact station wagon. Let's not forget that the Focus has been the world's best-selling nameplate for many years.

Find out more about the Ford Focus Estate here.

Seat Leon ST

Essentially a Golf Variant underneath, the Leon ST has the advantage of a sportier design enhanced by the latest facelift introduced for the 2017 model. The Leon will match the Golf's interior in almost every aspect, and despite being labeled as a more cost-oriented version of the Volkswagen, its interior is more upscale than ever. Engine choices are almost identical, while trunk space isn't far off the Golf's with the rear seats up. The "Seat" logo on the nose makes it a less popular model in this niche, but you shouldn't let the marketing strategy of the Volkswagen Group fool you. The Leon ST is as potent and spacious as the Golf Variant.

Learn more about the Seat Leon ST here.

Conclusion

The Golf Variant is a very popular car in several European markets and that's far from surprising. Cheap to run and practical, it comes with one of the most spacious trunks in the compact class, a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines, as well as hybrid and performance-oriented versions. Its interior is of higher quality than most rivals and the new technology makes it the most advanced compact wagon you can buy. On the flip side, it's expensive relative to most competitors and the base model seems to have way too many features for the average driver in need of a simple and reliable grocery getter.