Created as the third body version of the iconic Golf hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan is designed to sit between the standard hatchback and the estate model.
Size wise, the Golf Sportsvan is faced by competition from the 'compact MPVs' such as the new Citroen C4 Picasso, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class as well as the upcoming BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Although the Golf Sportsvan sits in the 'compact MPV' segment, just like the rest of the aforementioned cars, it only has room for five with much more space over the regular model.
Up close and Personal
The easiest way to picture the Golf Sportsvan is a bigger, more practical and a more family-oriented Golf.
The Golf's familiar face is etched onto the front fascia. Although the car does not have the slinky curves, its sharp edges and creases along the sides do help in neatly disguising its enlarged proportions.
The Sportsvan's cabin is everything you'd expect from Volkswagen. Comfortable, smart, user-friendly and well-made are valid adjectives here.
Another accurate attribute is practicality. Volkswagen has placed rear seats in the Sportsvan that slide forward and backward by up to 180mm, increasing either passenger or luggage space as required.
With these seats as far back as possible, there's 500 litres of space - 76 litres more than its predecessor - which is between the Golf's 380 litres and the Golf Estate's 605 litres.
The Drive
Driving the Golf Sportsvan feels very much like meeting up with an old friend who is largely the same except that he/she has put on some weight. In this case, this version of the Golf Sportsvan has put on 121kg over the Golf Sport.
Compared to the lower powered variant of the Golf Sportsvan we tried earlier, the 1.4-litre TFSI engine in this car provides 25 horses more and 50Nm more torque to whisk that extra heft.
Hence, you feel that the stronger engine is perkier and feels more alive, pulling the car well along the streets of Saint-Tropez.
Combined with the smooth seven-speed DSG transmission, the car is flexible in every gear, shaving 1.1 seconds off the lower powered variant to finish the century sprint.
Driving the Golf Sportsvan feels very much like meeting up with an old friend who is largely the same except that he/she has put on some weight. In this case, this version of the Golf Sportsvan has put on 121kg over the Golf Sport.
Compared to the lower powered variant of the Golf Sportsvan we tried earlier, the 1.4-litre TFSI engine in this car provides 25 horses more and 50Nm more torque to whisk that extra heft.
Hence, you feel that the stronger engine is perkier and feels more alive, pulling the car well along the streets of Saint-Tropez.
Combined with the smooth seven-speed DSG transmission, the car is flexible in every gear, shaving 1.1 seconds off the lower powered variant to finish the century sprint.
Somehow or rather, this old friend has grown taller too and this generates a little more roll when pushed hard through the corners, but is especially acceptable given the composed ride quality it delivers.
More importantly, the Golf Sportsvan steers and grips with a reassuring sense of precision - just like its hatchback brethren.
Conclusion
It doesn't come as a surprise then that adding height and weight to a standard Golf causes it to lose some handling agility, but the Golf Sportsvan is impressive for a compact MPV.
Add a well-dressed sheet metal and a versatile interior and these qualities make the Golf Sportsvan an ideal choice for growing families.
