Initial Drive Overview
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Worth the wait, but you may possibly want to wait for much more.
It’s finally here. 2 Geneva shows ago, VW 1st revealed the Golf SportWagen. That summer time, we ran our 1st-drive report on the European model and began counting the days till we could get one particular here. Well, this much-anticipated Jetta SportWagen replacement arrives in U.S. dealerships by early April. As with the 10Best-winning Golf hatchback and GTI, the extended delay was due to the wait for assembly of the North American–market model at VW’s plant in Puebla, Mexico. Our first drive in these Mexican-constructed wagons confirms that they’re as solid and enjoyable as any other 6th-generation Golf.
While VW’s ambitious U.S. sales targets would have a much better opportunity of reaching fruition if Wolfsburg would send us new models as soon as they’re offered in Germany, reduce expenses for assembly and transportation pay off in an aggressive pricing scheme for the new wagon. Regardless of arriving so late in the year, these SportWagens are 2015 models for a couple of months. The 2016 models will most likely bring the addition of an all-wheel-drive version (officially: “We’re operating on it”) and will definitely incorporate upgraded telematics and a constructed-in USB port that the 2015 edition still lacks.
Circled Wagons
VW gave us a possibility to drive the U.S.-spec SportWagens in and around Austin, Texas, just as the big crowds for the SXSW confab had been coming into town and clogging the significant highway arteries. Luckily, we had been capable to get out into the surrounding Hill Nation.
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Even with no all-wheel drive in the mix yet, there are 6 SportWagen models, counting S, SE, and SEL trims accessible with either the 1.8-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine or the 2.-liter TDI diesel. Add the 3 transmissions and there are 10 configurations ahead of you even begin scanning the choices list. With limited time and miles at our disposal, we opted to sample the price tag-leader gasoline model and a loaded-up SEL with the diesel. As with other Golfs, the TSI comes with a manual transmission only in the base S model, and that’s a 5-speed unit. This runt of the litter must also endure a restriction on peak torque to 184 lb-ft versus the 199 claimed for its brethren equipped with a slushbox. All SE and SEL gasoline-burners have the 6-speed automatic as standard. A 6-speed stick shift is common with every single TDI. Clutchless operation fees an additional $ 1100 exactly where it is obtainable, regardless of whether it is the torque-converter automatic on the 1.8T or the dual-clutch DSG on diesels.
Does not Really feel Low-cost
Considering its weakling status in the lineup, the base model delivers a lot of goodness for $ 22,215. No, you do not get navigation or energy lumbar supports or push-button start, but for those who prioritize the driving encounter, the Golf’s powerful foundation yields a premium really feel. Adding the bigger cargo location and stiffer rear springs to accommodate the payload, plus a complete foot of length and about 100 pounds of vehicular mass, does not diminish the virtues of a rigid structure, tight assembly, and driver-friendly handling. We kept reaching for a sixth gear out of habit, even although we didn’t need to have it at 66 mph in fifth gear, the tachometer shows the 1.8T spinning at 2000 rpm. It is quiet and buttery in operation and the torque remains enough that you can climb moderate grades with no shifting down. The engine’s qualities do not include thrilling high-rpm antics, anyway, and our tests show this drivetrain performs well in the common Golf. Possibly the torque restriction would be a lot more noteworthy if we’d folded down the back seats and loaded up the 66.5 cubic feet of cargo volume with heavy gear.
A greater deterrence to choosing this bottom-feeder may possibly be the normal 15-inch wheels and Continental tires if you want to shift for your self and burn gasoline, that is all you get from the factory. SE and SEL models supply 16-, 17-, and 18-inch selections, and even the base diesel rides on 16s. The 15-inchers yield a excellent ride with small road noise and the wheels are aluminum, a step up from the old Jetta’s base steel rims, but the modest tire does not have the turn-in bite a driver longs for when the road gets intriguing. We located ourselves generating mid-turn steering corrections out in the hills as the front end washed out—although we should note that heavy rains the day just before left the road damp and wet in locations.
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An Audi with no Quattro?
Turn-in was no longer a dilemma when we moved into a TDI in SEL trim on 18-inch wheels. If something, the scenario inverted as the more overall performance-oriented (though still all-season-rated) Pirelli Cinturato P7s in size 225/40 introduced some influence harshness to the ride and could be heard hissing on rough-textured pavement. The sweet spot here for value, ride, comfort, and moderately entertaining behavior may be a TDI in the SE trim on 17s, and we’d possibly go with the manual. If we’re not obtaining a clutch pedal, the DSG makes a great second-very best alternative, but when you have anted up the premium for the diesel (get in touch with it $ 2000), the transmission’s $ 1100 expense might be far better spent on other choices or accessories.
The automobile we drove carried a $ 33,955 MSRP with $ 695 for the Driver Assistance package (forward-collision warning and parking assist) and $ 995 for the Lighting package (adaptive bixenon headlamps and LED accents), both of which we could live with no but you may really feel otherwise.
In size, interior ambience, and demeanor, this loaded instance reminded us a lot of an Audi A4 Avant of about a decade ago—according to 1 VW engineer, the cargo space is greater, in fact, but the rear seat tighter than it was in the former VW Passat wagon and that Avant. If and when we get the all-wheel-drive SportWagen, the similarities will be downright eerie. But try not to make us wait too significantly longer, VW, okay?
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