It used to be that a Golf based wagon was just that, a Golf with a big box attached to the back of it, but for this latest generation of Variant, as VW calls its wagons, the car has been treated to all the good bits from the Golf range. It starts with the 77kW 1.6 litre turbocharged diesel engine and seven-speed DFSG gearbox. Combine the two and you have an extremely efficient vehicle. On an open road trip during the road test the trip computer registered a surprisingly low 4.7L/100km. The small gaps between gear ratios means that the engine is always in an efficient operating zone, while the engine retains the ability to quickly accelerate on the wave of 250Nm of peak torque. You can have a 90kW petrol turbo Variant, but with only 200Nm and higher fuel consumption in the turbo version the diesel is more attractive, although the diesel is NZ$4,000 more than the Variant, at $45,000. That of course means you’ll have to cover plenty of distance before you pay off the extra investment through superior fuel efficiency. Specification wise, the Golf Variant closely echoes the hatchback versions, with dual front, side and curtain airbags, as well as side airbags for the rear seat passengers. On the active safety side there’s ABS, ESP, traction control, and electronic differential lock, which uses the front brakes individually to produce a locking differential effect and stop one wheel from spinning uselessly on slippery surfaces. Daytime running lights are standard, and indeed they seem to be spreading across the whole Volkswagen range (including Skoda). The stereo system however, is a simple affair, with a single CD slot. If you want MP3 capability and a CD stacker you’ll have to option one up. The options do include a full iPod capable system. The Golf Variant drives much like any lower spec Golf, with a smooth ride and good handling thanks largely to the ESP system. Unlike the Golf GTi, there’s no feeling that you could fling this car around a racetrack at extremely entertaining speeds. In fact, if I had to describe the driving experience it would be one of competent boredom. It’s the one flaw in the whole vehicle. There’s no denying that this is one very competent car. It uses very little fuel and even though the sloped hatch eats into load space you can still fit a lot of gear in the back. But unlike other Golfs there seems to be a determined lack of spark in the way it looks or drives. Of course, for many people cars with little or no character are no barrier to sales appeal – just look at the Toyota Corolla. If you’re after something that will do the job of transporting the family and the occasional kitchen appliance there’s certainly appeal in the Golf variant. If, however, you are looking for something that will get your pulse beating harder, I’d suggest you look elsewhere. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society