North American vs. European Models

I feel silly asking this, but I truly don't know.

I was talking to a guy that lived in Germany up until 20 years ago and he isn't that familar with VW's stateside.

Here in the states, my car is a 2003 Jetta Wagon. What would it be called in Germany? He's under the impression that it's a Golf over there. I don't know enough about the badging over there to give him an answer.

Outside of the US, Jetta wagons are Golf wagons. In fact, the 2010 Jetta Sportwagon is called a Golf Sportwagon in Canada, if I am not mistaken.

I believe the Germans refer to them as "Variant" http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms/mast...3/modelle/golf/variant/highlights/design.html in the UK they are called "Estates"

Lee_Taylor said:

I believe the Germans refer to them as "Variant" http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms/mast...3/modelle/golf/variant/highlights/design.html in the UK they are called "Estates"

Click to expand...

"Station wagon" is a really outmoded term, because hardly anyone drives to the station anymore. "Estate" makes more sense, if you own an estate and travel to and from it. "Variant" is a useful word, but pretentious; we are just so accustomed to using the word "wagon".

TornadoRed said:

"Station wagon" is a really outmoded term, because hardly anyone drives to the station anymore. "Estate" makes more sense, if you own an estate and travel to and from it. "Variant" is a useful word, but pretentious; we are just so accustomed to using the word "wagon".

Click to expand...

Wouldn't you think "Estate" is more pretentious than "Variant" which seems more to the point?

anahata said:

Wouldn't you think "Estate" is more pretentious than "Variant" which seems more to the point?

Click to expand...

You may be right, except neither estate nor variant is used at all in the US. Either word will impress people with your sophistication, though few will understand why.

"Estate" makes more sense, if you own an estate and travel to and from it.

Click to expand...

After sixty years odd of wealth redistribution in Britain most of the people who own "Estates" live on housing estates. Those who still own a country pile tend to favour the Range Rover

Thanks guys, Golf it is!

Lee_Taylor said:

I believe the Germans refer to them as "Variant" http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms/mast...3/modelle/golf/variant/highlights/design.html in the UK they are called "Estates"

Click to expand...

"Variant" is only the name VW used. The general term for "Station wagon" is "Kombi" in Deutsch.

TornadoRed said:

You may be right, except neither estate nor variant is used at all in the US. Either word will impress people with your sophistication, though few will understand why.

Click to expand...

***** LOL