Volkswagen Golf R Estate vs SEAT Leon ST Cupra 280 - pictures

We put these two high-performance estate vehicles to the test

The Golf R Estate takes the potent turbo and all-wheel-drive transmission of the hatch and wraps it in a more practical body 

The Golf R Estate boasts 296bhp coupled with the practicality of a 605-litre boot

The five-door hatch derivative of the SEAT is already a firm favourite, so there are high expectations on the estate

The Leon has less power with 276bhp, but with the same MQB underpinnings, uprated suspension and a trick differential, it’s a real competitor for the Golf

Both cars are clearly built for the track, but the Leon has the Sub8 pack as an option, adding bigger brakes, aero tweaks, lighter alloys and super-sticky Michelin tyres

Although the Volkswagen trumps on boot space, the thoughtful layout of the SEAT’s load bay earns it some real points

The winner: The Golf R Estate. It’s more expensive with less kit, but its quality and composure coupled with high residuals push it over the line.