2017 VW Golf SportWagen Alltrack Initial Drive: VW’s Take on the Outback Formula

VW usually appears to be a bit late to the game. Next year, the German carmaker will bring the Alltrack model we’ve just driven to the U.S. it is a jacked-up Golf SportWagen fitted with all-wheel drive and off-road styling affectations. This comes nearly 2 decades following the segment’;s role models, the Volvo XC70 and the Subaru Outback, 1st appeared. What most Americans don’;t know is that VW has been selling these sorts of Golfs considering that the early 1990s. But that era’s Golf Nation was in no way sold in the States, and it was so funky seeking that it would probably scare away the typical purchaser of this Alltrack.

To compile this assessment, we sampled the European version of the Alltrack in Germany, where it is already accessible for order. Starting later in 2016, U.S.-bound models will be produced in Mexico, exactly where significant investment in VW’s Puebla plant was created to accommodate the assembly of all-wheel-drive autos.

Accessible only with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, the Alltrack moves a step beyond being a mere appearance package and delivers some true capability. VW aimed to provide greater efficiency by decoupling the rear axle from the driveline for the duration of daily driving, meaning the automobile feels much like a typical front-wheel-drive Golf a lot of the time. If the traction of 4 driven wheels is needed, a Haldex clutch calls the rears to duty, and they can be sent virtually 25 percent of the torque.

The driving-mode selector, which tweaks throttle and transmission parameters, among other folks, adds an “Off-Road” setting in the Alltrack. This enables hill-descent control and also lengthens the ABS pulses to let gravel, dirt, or snow to pile up in front of the wheels to shorten the braking distance when decelerating hard on loose surfaces. The chassis is raised by .8 inch, which doesn’t sound like much but will come in handy on different 2-tracks and dirt roads.

The aesthetic package brings restyled front and rear ends with aggressive fascias and fake skid plates. There are fender flares that VW claims are there for protection, but of course they are far too fairly to danger acquiring them scratched. Meanwhile, the 17- or 18-inch wheels look very good, but those who actually wish to do some form of off-roading may possibly have preferred a steel-wheel alternative, not to mention taller tire sidewalls, neither of which are obtainable. Inside, the Alltrack is fitted with model-distinct, but rather nondescript, fabric and trim. Otherwise it’s a Golf SportWagen, which indicates restrained, handsome very good appears inside and out, plus a functional and ergonomically friendly dashboard layout. The Alltrack suffers from the exact same singular demerit we’ve located in its brethren, although, namely a slow and frustrating infotainment setup. Here’s hoping Volkswagen adds some processing energy to the Golf line by the time the Alltrack arrives here.

Provided all of the foregoing, you could count on that the Golf Alltrack also generally handles like any other Golf, and you’d be right. It gives a refinement beyond what can be reasonably expected in its segment, with a nice blend of compliant ride top quality and capable, effortlessly exploited handling. Regardless of the raised center of gravity, the Alltrack steers with precision, responds speedily to inputs, and hugs corners almost as properly as its comrades.

In the U.S., the Alltrack will be fitted with Volkswagen’s lately adopted EA888 180-hp 1.8-liter gasoline TSI 4-cylinder, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. Europe gets 3 diesel options, as nicely: a 110-hp 1.6-liter TDI and a 2.-liter TDI with either 150 or 184 horsepower. We like the diesel, whose character befits the Alltrack’;s rugged demeanor, but it will not be coming here for now simply because our TDI models demand an emissions-scrubbing urea-injection program that can’t be packaged with the Golf’s all-wheel-drive setup and its multilink rear suspension. (U.S.-spec Golf and Golf SportWagen TDIs have a torsion-beam rear suspension.)

Yet the 1.8-liter engine will be just fine, delivering acceptable efficiency for the sort of duties one can anticipate most Alltracks will execute, and it must be capable of accelerating the automobile to 60 mph in, we estimate, 7.7 seconds and on to a best speed of 125 mph or so. We also know the 1.8 to be perfectly livable, as it is the same engine that powers a Golf hatchback at present in our lengthy-term fleet.

Greater late than by no means, we say. The Golf SportWagen Alltrack is a welcome entry, and it could turn out to be a genuine headache for Subaru’s larger Outback models, as effectively as a quantity of duller crossover SUVs.

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2017 VW Golf SportWagen Alltrack Initial Drive: VW’s Take on the Outback Formula

2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Driven: Worth the Wait, but Wait for More

First Drive Assessment

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Worth the wait, but you may want to wait for more.

It is lastly right here. 2 Geneva shows ago, VW 1st revealed the Golf SportWagen. That summer time, we ran our initial-drive report on the European model and started counting the days till we could get a single here. Effectively, this a lot-anticipated Jetta SportWagen replacement arrives in U.S. dealerships by early April. As with the 10Best-winning Golf hatchback and GTI, the long delay was due to the wait for assembly of the North American–market model at VW’s plant in Puebla, Mexico. Our very first drive in these Mexican-built 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 better possibility of reaching fruition if Wolfsburg would send us new models as quickly as they’re accessible in Germany, lower charges for assembly and transportation spend off in an aggressive pricing scheme for the new wagon. Despite arriving so late in the year, these SportWagens are 2015 models for a handful of months. The 2016 models will probably bring the addition of an all-wheel-drive version (officially: “We’re operating on it”) and will certainly incorporate upgraded telematics and a constructed-in USB port that the 2015 edition nevertheless lacks.

Circled Wagons

VW gave us a likelihood to drive the U.S.-spec SportWagens in and about Austin, Texas, just as the large crowds for the SXSW confab had been coming into town and clogging the main highway arteries. Luckily, we have been able to get out into the surrounding Hill Nation.

Even without having all-wheel drive in the mix but, 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 start off scanning the alternatives 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 should 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 common. A 6-speed stick shift is normal with every TDI. Clutchless operation charges an extra $ 1100 where it’s available, regardless of whether it’s the torque-converter automatic on the 1.8T or the dual-clutch DSG on diesels.

Doesn’t Feel Cheap

Thinking about 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 knowledge, the Golf’s sturdy foundation yields a premium really feel. Adding the larger cargo area and stiffer rear springs to accommodate the payload, plus a complete foot of length and about 100 pounds of vehicular mass, doesn’t diminish the virtues of a rigid structure, tight assembly, and driver-friendly handling. We kept reaching for a sixth gear out of habit, even even though 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 without having shifting down. The engine’s qualities do not consist of thrilling high-rpm antics, anyway, and our tests show this drivetrain performs effectively in the regular Golf. Perhaps the torque restriction would be far 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 might be the standard 15-inch wheels and Continental tires if you want to shift for oneself and burn gasoline, that’s all you get from the factory. SE and SEL models supply 16-, 17-, and 18-inch alternatives, and even the base diesel rides on 16s. The 15-inchers yield a very good ride with tiny road noise and the wheels are aluminum, a step up from the old Jetta’s base steel rims, but the little tire does not have the turn-in bite a driver longs for when the road gets interesting. We discovered 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 places.

An Audi with no Quattro?

Turn-in was no longer a issue when we moved into a TDI in SEL trim on 18-inch wheels. If something, the scenario inverted as the a lot more efficiency-oriented (though still all-season-rated) Pirelli Cinturato P7s in size 225/40 introduced some effect 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 well be a TDI in the SE trim on 17s, and we’d possibly go with the manual. If we’re not acquiring a clutch pedal, the DSG tends to make a great second-greatest option, but as soon as you’ve anted up the premium for the diesel (contact it $ 2000), the transmission’s $ 1100 cost may possibly be much 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), each of which we could reside with no but you may possibly 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 a single VW engineer, the cargo space is higher, actually, 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 also significantly longer, VW, okay?

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2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Driven: Worth the Wait, but Wait for More

2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Driven: Worth the Wait, but Wait for Far more

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.

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.

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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2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Driven: Worth the Wait, but Wait for Far more

2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Pricing Announced, Starts at $22,215

Bro-hug it out, Volkswagen fanboys: No wicked Golf R Variant, super-diesel GTD Estate, or butch Golf Alltrack is coming here, probably ever. But the regular-grade 2015 Golf SportWagen will be a fairly decent deal for men and women craving an cost-effective compact station wagon. Beginning rates for the gasoline model have crept up a bit but the base TDI actually has gotten drastically less expensive.

As we’ve pointed out, VW’s lil’ wagon is no longer named a Jetta (which was sort of a misnomer anyway). The new version switches to the corporate MQB platform underpinning the 2015 Golf. Volkswagen calls the new physique “cab backward” and its profile is a tinge a lot more swept-back and to our eyes more handsome. Component of that is due to the .9-inch decrease roof, 2.2-inch longer wheelbase, and 1.1-inch increase in length. Width is up by .7 inch, and as you’d count on from such measurements, there’s slightly far more shoulder and leg space (despite the fact that VW of America isn’t confident specifically how much far more). The official specs have total cargo volume shrinking by .4 cubic feet to 66.5, but we’re told Germany’s measurements do not align with our SAE requirements. Depending on trim level, curb weight is stated to be down by up to 137 pounds, though we’ll want to verify that on our own scales.

The TSI version’s 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers 170 horsepower—the identical as the outgoing 2.5-liter 5—but direct injection aids it acquire 3 mpg on the EPA highway cycle, to 36 mpg when equipped with the 5-speed manual. The 2.-liter TDI bests the 2014 Jetta SportWagen by 1 mpg, for 43 mpg highway. (City numbers are not yet obtainable.) As usual, the TDI gets the better transmissions, with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. A 6-speed automatic is common on all but the base TSI.

Here’s a rundown of base pricing (with destination) and gear by trim level (you will not see all-wheel drive, but that’ll come following the initial April launch):

TSI S: $ 22,215 Normal gear consists of 15-inch alloy wheels (an upgrade and a downgrade from the base Jetta’s 16-inch steelies), power windows and locks,  A/C (we’d sure hope so), Bluetooth, touchscreen radio, VW’s iPod/iPhone-only interface (no USB ports), and leatherette (vinyl) trim. The automatic charges $ 1100. The base price tag is $ 400 much more than the outgoing Jetta SportWagen 2.5 S, but the new automobile has a lot more normal equipment.

TSI SE: $ 27,815 Quite a jump from the S, the SE consists of 17-inch alloys, fog lamps, a panoramic moonroof, a backup camera, a Fender stereo, and keyless entry with push-button start off. Optional bi-xenon adaptive headlamps with LED DRLs and ambient interior lighting are part of the $ 995 Lighting package. The $ 695 Driver Assistance package includes forward collision alert and rear parking sensors.

TSI SEL: $ 30,165 The SEL adds 18-inch alloys, automatic climate manage, navigation, chrome roof rails, so-named “sport comfort” seats with 12-way energy adjustment for the driver, ambient lighting, and LED map lights. The Driver Help and Lighting packages are obtainable.

TDI S: $ 25,415 The base diesel’s further common characteristics beyond these on the gasoline TSI S consist of 16-inch alloys, a backup camera, and keyless entry with push-button commence. A 6-speed stick is common the 6-speed DSG is $ 1100 extra. All told, this is down $ 1970 from a base Jetta SportWagen TDI.

TDI SE: $ 28,815 Regular gear is the identical as the TSI SE, except for the common 6-speed manual instead of an automatic. Very same choice packages and DSG available.

TDI SEL: $ 31,165 The gear right here mirrors the TSI SEL, but with a stick. Very same selection packages and DSG obtainable.

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2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Pricing Announced, Starts at $22,215