New 2020 Volkswagen Golf Estate spied for the first time

The next Volkswagen Golf Estate has been caught on camera for the first time, ahead of its expected reveal towards the end of 2020. The new model will feature the same technology and engines as the recently launched hatchback variant, but importantly, these spy shots give us our first glimpse of the Golf Estate's styling, which incorporates the changes introduced on the eighth-generation Golf hatchback.

The estate is identical up front, sharing the same radiator grille and swept-back LED lights. However, Volkswagen has made a few changes from the C-pillar back, fitting a new tailgate, fresh lamps, a tweaked rear spoiler and a reworked bumper, which removes the hatchback’s license plate cutout.

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The new Golf Estate will be based on an extended version of the Volkswagen Group’s ever-present MQB underpinnings which, along with the bodywork revisions, should increase the car’s boot capacity to around 600 litres – or around 220 litres more than the hatchback.

Its engine range will be identical to the Golf hatchback’s, kicking off with either a 128bhp or 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, climbing through a pair of 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels and topping out with a 328bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol for the R variant. Somewhere in the middle of the line-up, there should also be a plug-in hybrid GTE model, with 242bhp.

Like the hatchback, buyers will get a comprehensive level of equipment. As standard, the Golf Estate Life should come with front and rear parking sensors, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors and keyless start, along with lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a dynamic road sign display system.

Inside, there’ll be an equally extensive amount of kit, with buyers getting a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle, a wireless smartphone charger, a 10-colour customisable ambient lighting system and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Volkswagen is yet to confirm prices for the new Golf Estate but, like the previous-generation model, we expect it’ll carry a £1,200 premium over the hatchback. As such, prices for the mid-range Golf Life Estate should start from around £25,000, while the more lavishly equipped Style variant should start from around £27,000.

What do you make of the new Volkswagen Golf Estate? Let us know in the comments section below…