Wagons are very popular these days, possessing many of the characteristics that car buyers value in a sports utility vehicle.
Add one more wagon to the list: Introduced a year ago, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack possesses some enviable features that give it the versatility that appeals to people who enjoy staying active. That includes the ability to go off-road for a little fun.
The Alltrack comes standard with all-wheel drive and has just enough ground clearance (6.9 inches) to make it suitable for some adventure on nonpaved roads.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is a vehicle that one can imagine Subaru creating. And in fact, they certainly have vehicles that rival the Alltrack. The competition includes the Subaru Outback, Subaru Crosstrek, Audi Allroad, and BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon.
There are multiple versions of the VW Golf, sold in S, SE and SEL trim levels. The Alltrack is based off the Golf SportWagen, another wagon that appeals to active folks. The difference is the Alltrack has a more rugged exterior and possesses additional ground clearance and a few more features that separate the two vehicles. Note that the Alltrack is also more expensive than the SportWagen.
The lone engine is a peppy 1.8-liter, inline-4 that generates 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The Alltrack has decent acceleration, going 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds, while getting an estimated 22-30 mpg.
The Alltrack can perform admirably in off-road situations, but it’s actually more suited for normal driving conditions. It has fairly good power and handles nicely, making it easy for the driver to enjoy a little fun. On normal roads, the Alltrack demonstrates a nimble quality and its quickness can be surprising. Steering is quite responsive and the brakes can stop the vehicle abruptly if needed.
2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
- Performance: turbocharged 1.8-liter, four cylinder, 170 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 22-30 mpg
- Price: $26,100 to $36,000
- Warranty: 6 years/72,000 miles; drivetrain 6 years/72,000 miles; roadside assistance 3 years/36,000; corrosion 7 years/100,000
In general, the Alltrack offers solid comfort, although this driver did suffer from a little discomfort on a long trip down the California coast. Perhaps it was because the seats are a bit rigid and don’t provide a lot of give. The rear seats are adequate for both head and legroom, and offer average comfort.
There is 30 cubic-feet of space in the rear compartment and that more than doubles to 66.5 cubic-feet when the second row is folded down. A ski-pass through is a nice added touch by Volkswagen.
We found the infotainment system pretty easy to master. We also like that the interior has a center console and fairly good storage areas for things like drinks and side pockets for miscellaneous items.
The 2018 Golf Alltrack gives Volkswagen one more sensible vehicle in its versatile lineup. It has the ability to go off-road, but is even better in normal driving conditions. Since the competition is tough, it will be interesting to see how the Alltrack fares after several years of sales.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel. His “Weidel on Wheels” auto reviews are featured periodically on this website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
