Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is enormous, with thousands of skilled employees toiling tirelessly to produce some of the world’s best cars.
With all that talent at work, it’s no surprise the new Golf Wagon is cleverly crafted to deliver all of the expected Golf attributes plus a remarkable amount of luggage space and versatility.
Priced from $26,990 in Australia, the Golf Wagon is a ‘must include’ on the shopping list of anyone considering a wagon.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Overview
Car Showroom tested the top-of-the-line petrol-powered variant – the Golf Wagon 118TSI Comfortline (priced at $33,990). While the Golf Wagon doesn’t employ the chassis architecture of the latest sixth generation Golf (it rides on a fifth generation platform) this is one of the very best wagons to come from Europe – certainly in the league of the superb Ford Mondeo wagon which coincidentally is also made in Germany.
It delivers all of the traditional Golf hallmarks – beautiful engineering, a stylish interior and sharp driving dynamics – in a wagon package. And that package is particularly impressive with a cargo space up to 1,495 litres despite its compact length of 4,631mm.
As you would expect from Volkswagen, safety equipment abounds including driver and front passenger airbags and a remarkable side airbag system stored in the back of the front seats. When deployed, the side airbags cover an area along the side from the A-pillar to the C-pillar providing protection for both front and rear seat occupants.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Engine
Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre TSI engine is a stunner, employing both supercharger and turbocharger technology to deliver maximum power and optimized consumption from its relatively small capacity. Volkswagen uses the supercharger for low-end acceleration (rapid starts) while the turbocharger seamlessly cuts in to provide handy response in the mid-range and top-end.
Those familiar with driving conditions in Germany, which range from small village back-roads to the world’s greatest freeways – the autobahns – will appreciate why the performance dynamics of combining these two forms of forced induction are desirable. It’s a winning combination in Australia too.
The most powerful engine in the Golf Wagon lineup, the 1.4 TSI delivers 118 kW at 5,900 rpm and peak torque of 240Nm between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.3l/100kms (combined cycle) and the emissions are 148g/km.
Drive is to the front wheels via Volkswagen’s excellent seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic. If you want a manual, you’ll need to downgrade to a 90kW engine and Trendline equipment level – it’s a six-speed.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Interior
Without exception, those who came across the Golf Wagon we tested commented on the surprisingly large luggage area. It’s surprising because of the compact overall dimensions of the car – (overall length 4,631mm, wheelbase 2,574mm).
With the rear seat in place and loaded to the top of the seat, the capacity is 690 litres. Fold the asymmetrically split rear seat and this grows to an enormous 1,495 litres.
The actual seat folding is clever too. The release buttons are on the outer edge of the rear seat, near the head restraints and a red indicator – visible from the front seats – alerts you if the seats are not full locked into place when upright.
Our Comfortline specification model also had a folding center armrest in the rear seat, which can accommodate long items like skis. There’s also a cargo net to restrain loads, which has slots to fit it either behind the rear seat or the front seats if the rear seat is folded.
The tailgate has a low loading lip – appreciated by all wagon owners, especially families who frequently load cumbersome items like strollers.
Up front, it’s the impressive sixth generation Golf interior. Our Comfortline model had the optional leather seats and standard panoramic glass sunroof.
There’s the normal, elegant instrumentation with brushed chrome trim and white backlighting. Between the rev counter and speedometer is the multi function display which includes a handy digital readout of the set cruise control speed (especially useful on Melbourne’s roadwork–littered freeways with variable speed limits).
On the center console are controls for the Climatronic automatic air-conditioning system and CD sound system with MP3 compatibility.
Typically Volkswagen, the driving position is first rate thanks to the rake/reach adjustable steering wheel and height adjustable drivers’ seat.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Exterior & Styling
In the looks department, it’s a Golf. The Wagon gets the latest sixth generation Golf ‘Volkswagen Design DNA’ – that means crisp lines, rather bold headlights and a black horizontal grille (with chrome trim on our Comfortline model).
Where Volkswagen’s stylists have succeed in the wagon is the proportions – they’ve crafted the wagon’s load area onto the rear and maintained the classic look of the Golf.
Where they have pulled up a tad short is the view from the rear which some commented was quite plain. We did take issue somewhat with those comments because a wagon is what it is – a wagon.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon On The Road
It’s impossible to dislike Volkswagen’s technically superb 1.4-litre TSI engine – its responsiveness across the rev range is particularly impressive. And when mated to the equally impressive technology of the seven-speed DSG, it’s a sensational package.
Even when carrying a full load of occupants and luggage, both in the city and on our mountain roads test loop, refinement levels were high – low levels of engine noise and virtually imperceptible gear changes.
Ride and handling were just as you would expect from the current generation Golf – slightly firm, in the European way, but with precise steering, high levels of grip and great cornering balance.
No worries around town, its compact size (and fitment of the optional reversing camera in the test vehicle) meant parking was a snack.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Challenges
You can’t fault the Golf wagon for its driving dynamics, quality or load carrying versatility. While we appreciate it is a wagon, we’d only deduct points for the rear end styling – Volkswagen could have been a bit more adventurous there.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Verdict
The Golf Wagon is a winner thanks to its very clever packaging, stylish interior, first-class build quality and stunning drivetrain technology.
Volkswagen Golf Wagon Competition
Peugeot’s 308 Touring looms as the Golf wagon’s chief adversary. It’s powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine (88kW/160nm) and is competitively priced.
And from the Volkswagen family, Skoda’s Octavia wagon offers a similarly priced model with a 1.8-litre turbo (118kW/250Nm) and the seven-speed DSG.
Likes:
Smartly packed; beautiful drivetrain; excellent quality; value
Dislikes:
Looks a little plain, especially from the rear
