2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack First Test

Messages
398
Reactions
0
#1

Based on the new Golf SportWagen, the new Volkswagen Golf Alltrack pairs the automaker's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with a slightly higher ride height for an off-road-oriented wagon. Although we've previously driven the new wagon in an off-road environment, we now have official test numbers of a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack TSI SEL with 4Motion.

Power for the Golf Alltrack comes from the automaker's 1.8-liter turbocharged TSI I-4 mated to a six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. The engine, which is also used in the Golf and Golf SportWagen, makes 170 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque in the Golf Alltrack.

At the track, the all-wheel-drive Golf Alltrack hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and sprinted to the end of the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds at 86.7 mph. It stopped from 60 mph in 122 feet. For reference, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf TSI with 170 hp and 199 lb-ft and a dual-clutch transmission reached 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and stopped in 117 feet, and our long-term 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 1.8T with 170 hp and 184 lb-ft and a five-speed manual hit 60 in 7.3 seconds. That's not bad considering the lifted all-wheel-drive Alltrack wagon weighs 3,482 pounds compared to 3,115 pounds for the Golf TSI and 3,040 pounds for the manual-equipped Golf SportWagen.

In our handling tests, the Golf Alltrack lapped the figure eight in 27.7 seconds at 0.61 g average and pulled 0.81 g average around the skidpad. In comparison, the Golf TSI lapped the figure eight in 27.2 seconds at 0.65 g and the Golf SportWagen did the deed in 27.3 seconds at 0.63 g. With its higher ride height and taller sidewalls on the tires, the slightly lower handling numbers are expected. The Golf Alltrack has 6.9 inches of ground clearance versus 5.5 inches for the standard-height Golf models.

The Golf Alltrack's closest competitors would be the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback models. In testing, the 3,038-pound 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek with a 148-hp 2.0-liter I-4 and five-speed manual hit 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, and a 3,198-pound 2013 Crosstrek with the CVT reached 60 mph in 10.0 seconds. The Crosstrek models stopped in 122 feet and 126 feet, respectively. The figure eight took 28.5 seconds at 0.54 g and 28.6 seconds at 0.56 g, respectively. In comparison, the 3,702-pound 2015 Subaru Outback with a 175-hp 2.5-liter F-4 with a CVT reached 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, stopped in 120 feet, and lapped the figure eight in 26.3 seconds at 0.63 g.

Read more on Motortrend.


2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack TSI 4Motion (SEL)
  • BASE PRICE $33,710
  • PRICE AS TESTED $35,705
  • VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door wagon
  • ENGINE 1.8L/170-hp/199-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4
  • TRANSMISSION 6-speed twin-clutch auto.
  • CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,482 lb (56/44%)
  • WHEELBASE 103.5 in
  • LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 180.2 x 70.8 x 59.7 in
  • 0-60 MPH 7.4 sec
  • QUARTER MILE 15.7 sec @ 86.7 mph
  • BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 122 ft
  • LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.81 g (avg)
  • MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.7 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)
  • EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 22/30/25 mpg
  • ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 153/112 kW-hrs/100 miles
  • CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.78 lb/mile
 


Top