One of VW's shining stars is the Golf Sportwagen; it's fun-to-drive, versatile and affordably
priced.
And now, following the hulked-up wagon trend is this all-new Golf Alltrack, with more ground
clearance and all-wheel drive.
Are wagons back?
It seems as though more and more of them are making their way to our shores and the formula
being followed is to produce one for the road and one for the trail.
Case in point, the Alltrack; raised suspension, underbody protection, rugged styling, standard
4Motion all-wheel drive…when you like the Sportwagen but want more capability, the Alltrack’s
ready to step in.
Of course, there’s a price premium…about $2,000…but the attraction to the Alltrack’s
added swagger is understandable.
When you live where I do, having all-wheel drive and nearly 7” of ground clearance
is added peace of mind.
Swap out these 18” Contis for a set of winter rubber and you’re good to go.
Similar to the new quattro system on the Audi A4 allroad’s, this latest generation of
4MOTION completely decouples the rear wheels under low road or coasting conditions to better
gas mileage, though the alltrack still loses 4mpg in combined driving as compared with
the front-drive Sportwagen with the same powertrain.
Up to 50% of the available torque can be routed to the rear wheels, which activates before
any wheelspin occurs.
Furthermore, an electronic differential lock can briefly brake a slipping wheel, transferring
power to the wheel on the opposite side.
And within the Driving Mode Selection is an Off Road setting altering ABS and the character
of the gas pedal while also activating hill decent control, a feature which moderates
vehicle speed leaving you to simply steer it down the trail.
Additionally, a special off-road display on the optional navi system shows a compass,
steering angle and altitude.
It’s not going to tackle the Rubicon Trail and it doesn’t possess the same level of
off-road chops as the similarly priced and larger Subaru Outback but the Alltrack’s
package of exploring tools provides its owners with a satisfying level of added capability.
Plus, its roof rack is easier to access and for the driver in you, there’s a sweet 6-speed
dual clutch automatic transmission with sport mode and paddle shifters.
With its own unique suspension tuning and a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine making 170
horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, gas mileage is rated at 22mpg city/30mpg highway.
It’s also equipped with the XDS+ Cross Differential System from the GTI, acting like an electronic
substitute for a mechanical limited slip differential helping improve handling and cornering performance.
Off road, it feels stout and surefooted though its approach angle is limited.
On road, it drives with the typical Golf verve; spirited and willing to capitulate to your
backroad follies.
The added weight and higher center of gravity does affect its fun-to-drive nature to a small
degree, but if there’s one aspect that surprises me it’s the steering…it’s just not as
connected and that’s a VW hallmark that can’t be devalued.
It firms up in Sport mode but there’s still a wee lack of feeling that’s unusual for
the brand.
However, I’ve logged lots of miles in the Alltrack both on the highway and off the beaten
path and it’s a wonderfully engineered ride allowing you to feel the road but keeping
comfort in mind.
Plus, features such as radar-guided cruise control, lane keep assist and adaptive Bi-Xenon
headlamps with automatic high beams provide a concierge level of driving ease.
There’s also a rear backup cam tucked away cleverly under the badge and a parking assistant
for both perpendicular and parallel parking.
I love the way VW integrates all of this tech too – so easy to access and interact with.
And though their Car-Net infotainment system may not look like much, it’s in fact pretty
awesome with gesture recognition, Apple Car Play – an absolute must have for me these
days, SiriusXM info like weather, sports and traffic and special driving features like
eco-driving feedback.
The navigation system also displays speed limits and offers 3 drive routes for every
destination.
But a wagon needs to be a Swiss Army knife to be worthy and it’s great how VW didn’t
just create a box in the back.
Pull up this Muddy Buddy which covers the entire cargo area when the rear seats are
laid flat and the cargo floor can be lowered and divided while the underfloor storage can
be sectioned off with various configurable parts.
There are also 2 power outlets, a multistage cargo cover and remote handles for lowering
the splitfold seats.
Now this is how you add smart to a wagon.
The rear seats don’t slide or recline yet offer deep seated comfort under a huge panoramic
moonroof.
Bravo for the choice of this Marrakesh Brown interior…leatherette and not leather if
you care about such things.
With lots of small cubbies and a cooled glove box, the Alltrack is a great roadtrip companion.
An attractive small wagon, the 2017 Golf Alltrack is offered in 3 trims with a starting MSRP
of $27,770 while this fully equipped SEL is priced at $35,804.
VW’s best models are all derived from the Golf and the Alltrack is yet another winner.