On sale in July, Volkswagen's Mark 8 Golf Wagon will be available in two grades that mirror the respective versions of the Golf hatchback, including the near fully autonomous open road capability afforded by way of VW's new IQ.DRIVE.

IQ.DRIVE is the highlight of the Mark 8 Golf Wagon range, the two variants now known simply as Golf Wagon and Golf Wagon Life.

The Golf R Wagon is anticipated early next year.

The umbrella term for Volkswagen's latest generation of driver assistance systems, IQ.DRIVE supports the driver in regular, real-world scenarios including parking, lane changing and accident prevention, all the while increasing daily driveability and comfort.

A key feature of IQ.DRIVE is Travel Assist, Volkswagen's semi-autonomous setting that is capable of accelerating, braking and maintaining the Golf's position within its lane in open road driving – clearly a boon during a typically monotonous long range freeway trip.

The full suite of IQ.Drive fixtures – standard to both Wagons – includes:

• Travel Assist
• Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
• Lane Assist
• Oncoming vehicle braking when turning
• Driver Fatigue Detection
• Side Assist
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Rear View Camera (RVC)
• Park Assist
• Parking distance sensors, front & rear
• Manoeuvre braking, front & rear
• Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator

To these, the Golf Wagon Life adds Emergency Assist and Exit warning system.

Built on a stretched version of the Golf platform, the 66mm longer Wagon has considerably more storage space than the hatchback – 611 litres back seats up against the hatch's 381, and a 1642 litres back seats down versus 1237. The Wagon is also marginally taller at 1483mm against 1456.

The Innovision Cockpit that debuted in Volkswagen's Touareg is standard in the Golf Wagon Life and Golf R-Line. Combining Digital Cockpit Pro with the 10-inch Discover Pro navigation system, the Innovision Cockpit offers an even larger range of customisable functions via its digital display. The vast screen of the Discover Pro is augmented by touch buttons and finger-tip operated touch sliders.

In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the Golf Wagon's standard safety systems include:

• Driver's airbag
• Front passenger airbag
• Front side airbags
• Rear side airbags
• Curtain airbags, front and rear
• Front and rear seat belt tensioners
• IsoFix and top tether child seat anchors
• Proactive occupant protection system
• Multi-collision brake
• Front and rear seat belt unfastened warning

The Mark 8 Golf has received the full five star crash safety rating from the benchmark European NCAP agency, rubber stamped by its Australasian associate.

Both Golf Wagons are powered by the 1.4-litre direct injection turbo petrol four cylinder engine with 110kW and 250Nm – the latter all on tap from 1600rpm. Not only does the Golf continue with what is by far the most responsive petrol engine among its immediate competitor set, it is also the most fuel efficient.

Driven via an 8-speed Aisin torque converter automatic though the front wheels, the Golf Wagons consume 5.9 litres of premium unleaded per 100km. The Wagons feature stop-start functionality, electro mechanical parking brake and Hill Start Assist (autos).

Where price rivals make do with a basic back axle, the Golf on its MQB platform retains its independent rear suspension in addition to MacPherson struts at the front. Disc brakes, ventilated at the front, are standard to all variants. The Golf rides on Norfolk 16-inch alloy wheels; the Golf Life on Ventura 17-inch alloys.

As standard the Golf and Golf Life are available in standard Pure White paint with the options of four metallics - Reflex Silver, Dolphin Grey, Atlantic Blue, Pomelo Yellow Premium Metallic – or Deep Black Pearlescent.

Within the Golf comes in standard cloth seats and decorative inlays; the Golf Life with Comfort seats or the option of Comfort sports seats in microfleece cloth and brushed inlays.

• Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
• Lane Assist and Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Travel Assist and Park Assist
• 8 airbags: Front, front and rear side and curtain airbags
• 8.25" Composition Media infotainment system
• Digital Cockpit (static)
• App-Connect (wired) and 4x USB-C ports
• Air Care 3 zone climate control automatic air conditioning
• 16-inch Norfolk alloy wheels
• LED headlights and LED tail lights
• Rear seat centre armrest with load through
• Black roof rails

• Exit warning system and Emergency Assist
• Innovision Cockpit
• Digital Cockpit Pro
• Discover Pro 10" satellite navigation system
• 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, keyless entry and starting
• 17" Ventura alloy wheels
• Electrically operated tailgate with Easy Open function
• Chrome roof rails
• Luggage partition net

Options

• Head Up Display
• The windscreen becomes a projection surface for displaying speed, driver assistance system messages or navigation instructions.
• Harman Kardon 480W premium audio system with with 8 + 1 (centre) speakers, subwoofer and 12-channel amplifier

• Microfleece-cloth upholstery
• Comfort sport front seats
• 30 colour ambient lighting
• Panoramic electric glass sunroof

The Golf Wagon range is available with a Care Plan for