New Volkswagen Golf Wagon now on sale

Australian pricing and specs have been announced for the all-new 2021 Volkswagen Golf Wagon ahead of first deliveries in July.

The small German wagon range has been reduced from three variants to just two (base and Life) and pricing starts $4260 higher than before at $33,550 plus on-road costs, with the top-shelf Life variant priced at $36,250 plus ORCs.

That makes the base Golf wagon (pictured here in overseas images) $1600 more expensive than the equivalent Mk8 VW Golf hatch, which is now on sale priced from $29,350 plus ORCs ahead of its arrival in May, and the Life $2000 pricier than its hatch twin.

It also means the new Golf load-lugger (which will be joined by the new Golf R hatch and wagon – pictured here in blue – in early 2022) will be more expensive than its only two direct rivals – the Ford Focus wagon ST-Line ($31,490) and Peugeot 308 Sportswagon ($32,499).

Unlike the upcoming Mk8 Golf hatch, the wagon will be an all-auto affair but otherwise mirrors the specs of its shorter sibling, including the ability to drive itself on open roads thanks to its new IQ.DRIVE suite of semi-autonomous driving aids.

The key component of IQ.DRIVE is Travel Assist, which can accelerate, brake and maintaining the Golf’s position within its lane on open roads.

Both the 2021 Volkswagen Golf hatch and wagon will also come standard with Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring (AEB), adaptive cruise control, oncoming vehicle braking when turning, Lane Assist, Driver Fatigue Detection, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Rear View Camera, Park Assist, front/rear parking sensors, front/rear manoeuvre braking and tyre pressure loss Indicator.

In addition, the Golf Wagon Life adds Emergency Assist and Exit Warning System. Also standard across the new Golf range, which has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, are twin front, front side, rear side and curtain airbags, front/rear seatbelt tensioners, IsoFix and top-tether child seat anchors, proactive occupant protection system, multi-collision brake and front/rear seatbelt reminders.

The Innovision Cockpit that debuted in the Volkswagen Touareg is standard in the Golf Wagon Life (and Golf R-Line hatch), combining Digital Cockpit Pro instruments with a 10-inch Discover Pro touch-screen navigation system. The base Golf Wagon comes with an 8.25-inch Composition Media infotainment system and static Digital Cockpit.

The Golf Wagon Life also rides on bigger 17-inch Ventura alloy wheels (up from Norfolk 16-inch alloys for the base variant) and scores Comfort seats and the option of Comfort sports seats with microfleece cloth trim and brushed inlays – instead of the entry variant’s cloth trim with decorative inlays.

Standard features across the range include non-wirelsss App-Connect and four USB-C ports, Air Care three-zone climate control, LED headlights and tail-lights, rear seat centre armrest with load-through function and black roof rails.

In addition, the Life scores the Innovision Cockpit with Discover Pro satellite navigation system and Digital Cockpit Pro, Exit Warning System and Emergency Assist, 10-colour ambient lighting, wireless App-Connect and wireless charging, power-folding exterior mirrors, Comfort front seats with lumbar adjustment, surround lighting with welcome light, Keyless Access entry and starting, 17-inch Ventura alloys, a powered tailgate with Easy Open function, chromed roof rails and luggage partition net.

The only standard paint colour for both VW Golf variants is Pure White, with four optional metallic hues – Reflex Silver, Dolphin Grey, Atlantic Blue, Pomelo Yellow Premium Metallic – costing $900 extra and Deep Black Pearlescent set at $600.

Two option packages are available for the Life. The $1500 Sound & Vision pack adds a head-up display and 480-Watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with nine speakers and 12-channel amplifier, while the $2000 Comfort & Style pack adds microfleece-cloth upholstery, Comfort sport front seats, 30-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic electric glass sunroof.

All new non-GTI Golfs are powered by a carryover 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, in the wagon’s case matched as standard with an eight-speed Aisin torque converter auto. Idle-stop, an electro-mechanical parking brake and Hill Start Assist are standard.

As with the hatch, Volkswagen claims class-leading efficiency for the front-drive Golf Wagon, which consumes 5.9L/100km of premium unleaded.

Based on a stretched version of the Golf 8 hatch’s MQB platform, the wagon is 66mm longer and 27mm taller overall and can swallow 611 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1642L with them folded – dwarfing the hatchback’s 381L and 1456L figures.

Unlike some rivals, all Mk8 Golfs ride on independent rear suspension and incorporate MacPherson front struts and ventilated front brake discs.

Like all new Volkswagens, the new Golf Wagon comes with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty and the option of pre-paid capped-price service plans.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Wagon cost?
Base – $33.550
Life – $36,250
* Prices exclude on-road costs