GOLF AN ACE
Sportwagon a well- rounded ride
You won’t find a compendium of complaints or list of liabilities in this road test. The station wagon version of the Volkswagen Golf has always been an auto- writer favourite. So here I am, reviewing the new 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon TDI.
And guess what? I think the new Golf station wagon is one of the most well- rounded small cars you can buy. In fact, I’ve made it one of my three “Editor’s Choice” picks for the year. I’ll begin singing the praises of Volkswagen’s front- wheeldrive, five- passenger, compact wagon in more detail in a few paragraphs, but first, some objective reporting.
Riding on the same, all- new platform as the seventh generation 2015 Golf two- and four- door hatchbacks, the Sportwagon is lighter, roomier and more sophisticated to drive than its predecessors.
You can get the Golf Sportwagon with the same turbocharged 1.8- litre four- cylinder gas engine, with 170 horsepower and 185 pound- feet of torque, and a fivespeed manual gearbox as per the hatchbacks, for as little as $ 24,100 ( all prices include freight and predelivery inspection fees).
However, if you simply enjoy the pulling power and extra economy, you’ll want the 2.0- L four- cylinder TDI diesel, with 150 hp and 236 lb- ft of torque powering my Golf wagon tester.
As someone who can operate a clutch pedal, I’d spec the six- speed manual version. It starts at $ 26,600. However, my Blue Silk Metallic tester was a top rung, $ 35,800 TDI Highline model that included a sixspeed automatic and various luxury add- ons, highlighted by Sport leather seats ( heated up front), a huge sun roof, forward collision warning, a large touch screen interface with a premium Fender audio setup, navigation, rear- view camera and lots more stuff.
Typically, auto writers despise any vehicle that doesn’t put driving dynamics first. So here’s another reason we fall for wagons like this little Vee- Dub: it is a small car that drives like a sports sedan, but can haul like an SUV.
Although the Golf hatchback and the wagon share the same wheelbase, the Sportwagon is 307 millimetres longer. The extra length can be found behind the rear wheels, giving the wagon a surprisingly large rear cargo area: up to 860 litres of space with the rear seats up or 1,880 L with them folded.
The Golf Sportwagon’s rear cargo hold is easier to access than a taller utility vehicle. It has a low lift- over height, an expansive flat floor, and thoughtful under- floor storage compartments. Plus the split rear seats can be folded down via a pair of levers in the rear cargo area.
Beyond its obvious cargo hauling capabilities, from behind the Golf Sportwagon’s steering wheel, you’d be hard- pressed to know you’re not driving the hatchback.
In typical German- car fashion, you get a great driving position in the Golf Sportwagon. The optional leather Sport seats are very supportive, and have a lot of adjustability. And unlike a lot of small crossovers, outward rear visibility is excellent.
Just in case you’re wondering if all the wagon’s extra room causes it to drive like a 1970s Detroit land yacht, fear not; its ride, handling and steering are above anything a compact crossover can offer.
The German automaker’s engineers have worked hard to make this new generation of Golf much quieter than the last iteration, once again, giving the Sportwagon a mini- luxury- car feel. The VW’s body structure is solid, its suspension manages pothole absorption and body- control responsibilities well, and the electrically powered steering is accurate and confidently builds force as you corner harder.
Just don’t expect to go fast while saving fuel in the Golf Sportwagon TDI. Taking nine seconds to go from zero to 100 km/ h, the diesel engine wagon with the autobox is about 1.5 seconds slower than the gas version. Still, that’s about one second quicker than a Toyota Prius V hybrid wagon. And although it’s a bit gruff until the turbo kicks in, the diesel is relatively quiet at speed, and turned in a real- world 6.4 L/ 100 km in mostly urban driving.
After all these subjective superlatives, the Golf Sportwagon TDI did draw some demerits.
Volkswagen’s current touch screen infotainment system takes too long between prompts. And I couldn’t find brown on the Sportwagon’s exterior colour palette. That’s about it. So while you can’t walk into a new vehicle showroom these days without tripping over a compact crossover, the Golf wagon is a sophisticate’s alternative. As the only diesel- powered compact wagon you can buy new, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon TDI owns all of the new Golf hatchback’s positive qualities of driving refinement and upscale build quality, but lets you carry more stuff when the occasion arises.