Review by Jonathan Yarkony
Photo Gallery: 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon
Photo Gallery: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T wagon
Odometer: 7,111 km
Observed Fuel Consumption: 6.9 L/100 km
Costs: Approx. $730.34 (Gas Approx. $574.46; Winter tire installation $155.88)
Three months were not enough.
Okay, maybe it was enough for the purposes of evaluating the Volkswagen Golf Wagon Highline TDI Clean Diesel DSG (now you know why I rarely write out the whole trim name…), but not for my own selfish needs. As my last report showed, I am already a devotee of Volkswagen wagons, so this ultra-efficient diesel wagon was a huge reprieve at the pumps after a series of high-horsepower guzzlers (427 Vette, Boss Mustang, RS 5… let’s take a moment for you all to feel sorry for me and my exorbitant gas bills, which we pay for ourselves, in case you were under any delusions that manufacturers foot the bill for our antics).
   2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI Diesel. Click image to enlarge |
Beyond the efficiency, this wagon was perfect for our family needs. The car is about the smallest possible vehicle I could imagine being happy with at this point, space-wise, but both me and my wife prefer the driving characteristics and ease of parking of small cars. Its wheelbase is no longer than a Golf hatchback’s, with only a few added inches out back to provide a wide, deep cargo bay with room enough for stroller plus presents, groceries, or my hockey bag. Although we did not take it for any road trips, we’ve managed in my Jetta Wagon, so this new Golf Wagon would only add to the space and ease of packing.
Our adventures in the Golf Wagon TDI amounted to nothing more than ordinary life. Commute from Brampton to Etobicoke (outskirts of Toronto) and back every day. Some days, a detour to the mother-in-law’s or to drop our daughter off at daycare. Some days, a trip across town to pick up a test vehicle for Social Editor Mike Schlee. I guess the birth of our son was slightly outside of the usual routine, and it presented the Golf with its biggest challenge: a reverse facing child safety seat. But it passed that test, too, and my wife never complained, and even I managed to squeeze in front of it for the occasional trip when she drove. The only limitation was that it is a challenge to fit an adult between two car seats in the second row – it can be done, but it is painful and uncomfortable, though it should be noted that the larger CR-V we have since moved into is no better.
The front seats, where we spent most of our time, are near perfect. The adjustable height, power adjustable recline on the driver’s seat, and tilt/telescopic steering wheel can be configured to fit the extremes of myself (5’10”) and my wife (5’), and even Mike Schlee (6’1”) found the seat ideal in his brief stint during our exchange of long-term cars.
  2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI Diesel. Click image to enlarge |
While the materials and assembly never gave me pause, I found the interior design dull even if it was a model of ergonomic ease. The screen is small compared to newer designs like the Dart or Focus, but the button- and touchscreen-operated infotainment system were simple and quick. Our car was also equipped with a connector dock for iPhone/iPod (not iPhone 5), so I was able to keep my phone charged and access the full playlist/artist controls through the screen rather than having to request a passenger change tunes when the mood struck. It would be 50 bucks well spent if your car offers that option. Sound quality was fine by my low standards.
Other sources of sound included the tires and wind, which were well contained, even with the winter tires we had installed mid-way through our test period. The engine to was always playing a subtle soundtrack – a low, gruff chugging grumble at startup, which smoothed out to just a friendly rumble when warmed up and at speed. After several months with it, I have to say that I like it, though I must confess that part of it is the association with an efficient powertrain, and also that great torque that always seemed ready to add a boost of acceleration, from low speeds to highway passing.
For its 1,511 kg, the 2.0L TDI’s 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque combined to give it effortless and powerful-feeling acceleration, even if it is not fast, per se, especially getting started. The automatic DSG transmission, while not as sharp as in GTI application, was still sufficiently smooth (and never acted up), with a rarely used Sport mode available that can make the Golf Wagon an all-around sharper driver.
But I didn’t come into this looking for a GTI, so I was not disappointed; it gives up more lean in the corners for the sake of a ride that is unexpectedly comfortable in this class. Despite that comfort, it is not a car that resisted the odd spirited drive, the steering in particular rewarding even if it is on the light side and takes a while to set into a corner.
Throughout my previous updates and the test as a whole, the one major drawback that we found with this car is the price, and we still have yet to get over the sticker shock. Sure there are other compacts that can run into the thirties, but this model, as equipped was over $35K before taxes were even factored in. For that kind of money, you can get a bonafide hot hatch, or, at the other end of the spectrum, better equipped hatchbacks or crossovers from Hyundai, Ford, Honda, or Mazda. I’d be hard-pressed to overlook a Mazda CX-5 (GT AWD) Santa Fe Sport (2.4 Luxury) for that kind of money. Opting for the Golf Wagon TDI over a comparably priced crossover means giving up on some space (but not much), the convenient seat height, and a number of features in favour of nimble small car handling, a solid powetrain, and lively driving while saving at the pumps.
I’m glad it’s not a decision that I have to make anytime soon, because frankly, it is almost too close to call. If there is one thing that would tip the scales for me, though, it is how a car drives when driven fast. I’ve learned to settle into slowpoke mode most of the time, but on the occasions that I do want to get somewhere fast or take a turn at grocery-rearranging speeds, I like to have a car that not only keeps up, but also gives back a bit of ‘thank you very much’ when laying into it. I can’t think of any other car in this price range that is this practical and this efficient and still has that magic.
Back when we tested the Golf TDI hatchback in our Fuel Efficient Cars Comparison, we noted that everyone who drove it wanted to keep it. Well, after three months of this long-term test, nothing has changed; we still want to keep it.
Pricing: 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon Highline TDI Clean Diesel
Base Price: $31,495
Options: $2,290 (DSG $1,400; RNS 315 Navigation System $890)
Freight & PDI: $1,395
A/C Tax: $100
Price as tested: $35,280
