2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 1

What is it: The Alltrack is a slightly taller Golf wagon aimed straight at Subaru’s Outback. It comes in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive powers the front wheels to save fuel until reduced traction is detected, then the system can send 50 percent of the power rearward.

Key Competitors: Subaru Outback, Fiat 500L, Volvo V60

Base Price: $35,660 As-Tested Price: $36,510

Highlights: For 2018, the Alltrack has a few updates, including LED lighting front and rear and a new larger touchscreen in the dash. Front crash assist, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are now standard, and don’t forget last year VW launched its six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 1

1 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 2

2 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 3

3 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 4

4 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 5

5 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Photo 6

6 of 7The Alltrack uses Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which makes 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The TSI engine will initially be offered with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available later.

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7 of 7Next Gallery: First Drive 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE is the ultimate track ready Camaro

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Our Opinion: I do love me some Golfs. From the $21,000 base model to the $40K Golf R, it’s the car’s near-perfect ride/handling balance, exceptional body control, and high-level interior quality that does it for me. Not to mention the logical way everything is arranged, the way the doors thunk shut, the excellent seats, the practicality (especially these wagons) … all good as far as I’m concerned.

The Alltrack is no exception. It’s refined, has all of the above, and the 4Motion grip almost makes me wish we got more snow around here. Almost.

The Alltrack’s little turbo gas engine has diesel-like power and torque. There doesn’t seem to be any sluggishness anywhere in the rev range. Hustling the Alltrack along you won’t think you’re in a 220-hp GTI, but the little wagon can hold its own: Acceleration is better than decent and body roll is commendably minimal. And even over Detroit’s exceptionally bad potholes the ride feels fine. Like the rest of the Golf line there’s a fluidity to the Alltrack that other small cars simply can’t match.

Can the Alltrack compete against the crossover onslaught the US market has been experiencing? I submit the car is good enough. If you’re looking for a new car and leaning toward a crossover –- highly likely these days — you should give the Alltrack a try.

–Wes Raynal, editor

alltrack

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Take a Golf Sportwagen, raise it a tiny bit and add some offroad(ish) hardware and software and voila! The Golf Alltrack  

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12 of 12Next Gallery: 30s the new 20 Ferrari F40 still super cool in its third decade

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Wes Raynal

– Wes Raynal joined Crain Communications’ circulation department while still in college. When he graduated in 1986, he became a reporter for Autoweek sister publication Automotive News. He has worked as Autoweek’s associate editor, news editor, motorsports editor and executive editor before being named editor in 2009.

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