Previewed by the concept unveiled last month in New York, Volkswagen has unveiled the Golf SportWagen. Bigger and lighter than the Jetta SportWagen it replaces, the new Golf estate is 1.1 inches longer, 0.7 inches wider, and 0.9 inches lower than the current Jetta. That translates to a more spacious interior with increased rear legroom, more headroom, and ten percent more storage space with the seats folded flat.

A choice of 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo gasoline and 150-hp 2.0-liter diesel engines mated to manual or DSG boxes makes the Golf SportWagen sportier and more economical too. Throw in four-wheel drive, and a list of optional goodies such as 18-inch alloys, Bi-Xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof and climate control into the equation, and you could be looking at the best family car in the US when it hits showrooms early next year.