Volkswagen Golf 2022 review: 110TSI Life wagon

The week we tested the Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life wagon, Volkswagen increased pricing for all Golf variants by between $640 and $840.

The Golf Life wagon went up by $840 and now costs $37,290 before on-road costs. It’s the highest-grade Golf wagon until the April arrival of the hi-po Golf R wagon ($69,990). The entry-level Golf wagon starts from $34,490.

The only option fitted to the test car was premium paint ($900). Buyers can add option packs including the 'Sound and Vision Package' ($1500) and 'Comfort and Style Package' ($2000).

The Golf Life wagon went up by $840 and now costs $37,290 before on-road costs. (Image: Tim Nicholson)

Standard features include rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, power folding and heated exterior mirrors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, digital instrument cluster, ‘comfort’ cloth seats, a 12-volt socket in the boot area, three-zone air conditioning, 10-colour ambient lighting, LED head and tail-lights and chrome roof rails, as well as a suite of safety features (see section below).

Multimedia consists of a 10-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, proximity sensor, gesture and voice control and vehicle functions.

DAB+ digital radio has just been rolled out as standard across the range as part of the model year 2022 update.

It’s difficult to compare the Golf’s pricing and specification with its small wagon rivals because, as of publication, there aren’t any.

The only option fitted to the test car was premium paint ($900). (Image: Tim Nicholson)

Peugeot will launch its new-generation 308 hatchback and wagon in the third quarter but pricing is yet to be announced. While the incoming Subaru WRX wagon is a performance model and will likely carry a higher price tag and be pitched at a different buyer.

There are, of course, a long list of small SUVs that some buyers might consider instead of a wagon, but none will have the cargo space or rear-seat space of the Golf wagon.

VW’s small SUV, the T-Roc, is available in 110TSI Style guise from $35,500 but it lacks some of the tech features in the newer Golf, like wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it has a smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen using VW’s previous-generation multimedia system.

Practicality is one of the key selling points for a station wagon. And in that regard, the Golf excels.

In the front row, console storage includes a long phone or key slot, wireless charging hub, and a small central bin.

There are two USB-C ports and a 12-volt plug. The cupholders function as one open space for larger items or you tap a button and it encloses and separates the cups. Clever.

The front door bins are huge and can stow tall and bulky bottles with ease.

The grey pattern cloth trim is a welcome inclusion to the Golf Life, especially if you’re not a fan of leather. The front seats have good thigh and upper body support and they are incredibly comfortable. Seat adjustment is manual.

Practicality is one of the key selling points for a station wagon. (Image: Tim Nicholson)

The door inserts are plain but a brushed metal panel connecting the doors and dash breaks it up nicely.

If, like me, you occasionally rest your hand on the gear shifter, the Golf’s tiny gear selector might disappoint. However, after a week with the car I adjusted to it.

The appealing cabin materials and overall build quality add to the Golf wagon’s appeal, as does the minimal dash design.

However, by removing climate control buttons and replacing them with a haptic selector on the dash that then brings up menus on the touchscreen, it adds complexity where it’s not needed.

After hitting the ignition button, the screen often lags – this happened with the reversing camera and climate controls – and this wouldn’t be an issue with regular buttons.

The rear seats have some support and a comfort level that would be ideal for a long road trip. (Image: Tim Nicholson)

The system includes ‘classic’ climate controls and ‘smart’ controls that use screen commands like ‘warm hands', or ‘cool my feet’. We stuck with classic.

VW’s new multimedia system requires a little familiarisation with the menu items and home button, but it’s a decent system with cool graphics.

It’s well ahead of systems from Toyota, Nissan and other Japanese brands, but not as intuitive as the system found in new Kia and Hyundai models. The digital instrument cluster, however, is clear and uncomplicated.

The Golf wagon offers excellent visibility thanks to a huge glasshouse.

Helping the case for the Golf wagon over a small SUV is the incredible rear seat space. It offers loads of legroom – more than any small hatch or SUV we can remember – ample toe and knee room, and acres of headroom. I am six foot (183m) tall and was nowhere near scraping the headliner.

The rear seats have some support and a comfort level that would be ideal for a long road trip.

Rear-seat occupants have access to climate controls, lower air vents, two USB-C ports, wide and tall door bottle storage, map pockets and a centre armrest (with two cupholders) that also doubles as a ski port.

The rear seat base doesn’t adjust but you can lower the 60/40 rear seats via a lever in the boot or on top of the seatbacks.

Open the power tailgate and you’ll be greeted by a sizeable boot that can swallow 611 litres when the rear seats are in place and 1642L when they are folded.

The incoming Peugeot 308 wagon comes close at 608L and 1634L respectively. But just try and find that much space in a small SUV. The T-Roc has cargo capacity of 392 litres.

There are storage nooks behind the wheel arch and some secure under-floor storage where the cargo blind can be stowed when it’s not in use. The Golf wagon comes with a space-saver spare wheel.

All non-GTI or R Golf variants are powered by VW’s ubiquitous 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with power and torque outputs if 110kW at 5000rpm and 250Nm at 1500-4000rpm.

It drives the front wheels via an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, replacing the seven-speed dual-clutch auto of the Golf 7.

All non-GTI or R Golf variants are powered by VW’s 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. (Image: Tim Nicholson)

VW says it can cover the 0-100km/h dash in 8.8 seconds.

It has independent front and rear suspension, electro-mechanical power steering, and an 11-metre turning circle.

The Golf is fitted with a fuel-saving idle-stop system, and VW claims the wagon consumes 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.

After a week of freeway and urban driving, we recorded quite a bit higher at 9.0L/100km.

The Golf requires a minimum of 95 RON fuel at the pump and has a 50-litre fuel tank.

The Golf range is offered with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a year of free roadside assistance. The servicing schedule is every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever occurs first. VW offers capped-price servicing plans of three or five years. Five years of servicing will cost a tick under $3000.