2017 Volkswagen Golf vs 2018

What's the difference?

While Australia’s passionate SUV love affair continues unabated, Europeans maintain a more stable and mature relationship with the wagon. And who can blame them?

With a lower centre of gravity for more nimble dynamics, a good wagon combines the practicality of an SUV with the driving pleasure of a conventional hatch or sedan.

In fact, the compact performance wagon is something Euro carmakers do extremely well. And happily, the Volkswagen Golf R, is returning to Australia in wagon form from January next year.

The Golf R wagon was sold in Australia in limited numbers in 2015, but this time around it will sit alongside its hatch sibling as a permanent addition to the local VW line-up.

Volkswagen Australia invited us to a preview drive of the latest ‘Mk7.5’ version of the car, in its home environment.

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Original is here to offer buyers a stripped back - but not stripped out - hot hatch experience.

It has been 42 years since the original Volkswagen Golf GTI was launched in Europe, and this new model has a simple focus: reliving the glory days, drawing on an illustrious past of the German brand creating fun and fast compact cars.

There are only 200 available. It is only available in three-door guise. Those are both limiting factors as to whether you'll be able or willing to buy one.

But let me tell you - after attending the launch of the new budget-focused Golf GTI Original model, it could be the best of the bunch.