Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon

[Autos_Editor]

Haney has a look at VW's latest wagon in comparison to his own 2012 model.
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[quadzilla]

VW’s dual-clutch six-speed automatic is a staple across its model range. It’s a refined unit that makes Mercedes’ newer seven-speed gearbox feel antiquated by comparison.

I thought the TSI got the regular transmission that uses a TQ converter. Only the TDI get the DSG.

[JacobBlack]

I thought the TSI got the regular transmission that uses a TQ converter. Only the TDI get the DSG.

You're right. This is fixed. Cheers!

[JohnnyMac]

You beat me to it quad.  I just checked VW website and the automatic with the TSI engine is a regular automatic transmission with Tiptronic, only the GTI, R and TDI models get the DSG.

The article mentions the Audi A3, but the current A3 is a sedan and does not compete in the wagon arena at the moment.

I wish we got the Golf R in the wagon format.  I would have ponied up the extra dough required to get the more functional cargo space and a little extra stealthness.

[OliverD]

At this price, it would be nice to see a blind-spot warning system included.

It's standard on the '16 Highline, along with nav and 18" wheels.

[bluelines]

Competition in the wagon world remains scarce, with only vehicles like the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A3 being close in function but decidedly upmarket from the vee-dub.

What about my lowly Subaru Outback? I'm about two months in to the ownership experience (2015 touring with manual transmission), and I definitely think it's a better buy. The price point is great and there is hugely more trunk space, not to mention six ratios instead of five in the manual 'box. It also has a proper AWD system, good ground clearance and surprisingly good fuel economy (averaging under 8l / 100 km on the third tank of gas). Equipment levels for the price are great, too: bluetooth, satellite radio, heated seats, rear camera, power trunk open / close, etc. Downsides are the truly terrible touchscreen interface and most of all the lack of torque.

Minor issue: Do you mean Audi Allroad, not A3? I'm pretty sure we aren't getting the hatchback version of the A3 in North America, unless it's the etron edition.

[OliverD]

Minor issue: Do you mean Audi Allroad, not A3? I'm pretty sure we aren't getting the hatchback version of the A3 in North America, unless it's the etron edition.

A3 TDI hatchback is available for '16. It's already on audi.ca.

[lebowski]

What about my lowly Subaru Outback?

Congrats on the Outback - awesome car and cool that they are still available with a manual. IMHO if driving enjoyment is a priority, then it's really in a different class to the VW, if only because of ground clearance.

I've had the chance to drive my friend's 2014 4-cylinder Outback on numerous occasions and it's fantastic for what it does, but what it doesn't do is handle like a normal passenger car. It handles like an SUV - as it should for having ~9 inches of ground clearance.

If one prioritizes interior room and/or AWD, then obviously it's a great option, but if driver involvement is a higher priority, then I don't think it is.

[Scaerio]

If they offered a GTi version of this, it would be one of the leading candidates to succeed the C30. 

In terms of competitors, the Volvo V60 and BMW 3-series Touring are in significantly higher price categories.  Even the A3 Sportback is too much -- it starts at $38,000 and change.  It seems that the only true competitor is the Impreza or the Crosstrek.

[Solstice2006]

Competition in the wagon world remains scarce, with only vehicles like the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A3 being close in function but decidedly upmarket from the vee-dub.

What about my lowly Subaru Outback? I'm about two months in to the ownership experience (2015 touring with manual transmission), and I definitely think it's a better buy. The price point is great and there is hugely more trunk space, not to mention six ratios instead of five in the manual 'box. It also has a proper AWD system, good ground clearance and surprisingly good fuel economy (averaging under 8l / 100 km on the third tank of gas). Equipment levels for the price are great, too: bluetooth, satellite radio, heated seats, rear camera, power trunk open / close, etc. Downsides are the truly terrible touchscreen interface and most of all the lack of torque.

Minor issue: Do you mean Audi Allroad, not A3? I'm pretty sure we aren't getting the hatchback version of the A3 in North America, unless it's the etron edition.

I am quite a fan of both.  IMO, the Outback is a border line wagon.  Many would cross shop both.  And there are certain pros like an extra gear, AWD, and more ground clearance.  At the same time the Golf has it's pros like a nicer interior, better fuel economy, available diesel, manual gearbox across the board. 

As far as pricing, when comparing the two (a 2015 2.5 touring manual) vs a (2015 1.8 TSI manual with all the options.  The VW comes out over $3000 cheaper, and has more options (like xenon lights, fender audio, navigation, but no powerlift gate. Slightly smaller cargo capacity. Outback seats up: 35 cubic feet, seats down: 73 cubic feet. Golf 30, 60 respectively.

Pricing, Subaru Outback 2.5 touring manual: $37,517 tax in (Ontario), Golf Comfortline with all packages manual: $34,380 tax in. 

[OliverD]

If they offered a GTi version of this, it would be one of the leading candidates to succeed the C30. 

In terms of competitors, the Volvo V60 and BMW 3-series Touring are in significantly higher price categories.  Even the A3 Sportback is too much -- it starts at $38,000 and change.  It seems that the only true competitor is the Impreza or the Crosstrek.

I wouldn't even call those true competitors. They're smaller hatchbacks.

The Golf wagon is basically in a class of its own, unfortunately.

[CountOfGamble]

Haney, I would definitely double check those cargo volume numbers between your 2012 and the new model. According to all European publications, MK7 has more passenger and cargo volume.

[JacobBlack]

Exactly. This competitor list should probably read, "None, anymore. Because SUV. "

[Gurgie]

This is a proper subaru wagon... the new Outback is an overbloated CUV.

[Solstice2006]

This is a proper subaru wagon... the new Outback is an overbloated CUV.

I am sure we all agree.  But Subaru isn't dumb, look at the sales numbers of the Outback now. Compared to that generation.

[KD]

Save the wagons!    Nice car!

[Noto]

All told, we’re sitting at $34K for this premium compact wagon before destination and taxes are figured in. At this price, it would be nice to see a blind-spot warning system included.

That’s a few bucks, to be sure, but this needs to be looked at in the context of compact crossovers with which the Sportwagon competes. It’s easy to find a loaded Mazda CX-5 or well-equipped Ford Escape with the same (or higher) price tag, so I don’t find the wagon’s pricing structure to be unreasonable. It’s competitive on interior space; to me the fundamental decision buyers need to make is high seating position and all-wheel drive versus driving dynamics and efficiency.
...
To that end, the automatic Sportwagon achieves ratings of 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.7 on the highway.

So it doesn't do any better in terms of fuel efficiency than the Escape or the CX-5, it doesn't have AWD (so we have to compare the CX-5 and the Escape in FWD trim only), and at $34k, you can get a fricken GTI for $34k before taxes and freight are factored in - that GTI has a bigger navi screen, too.  The CX-5 loaded (GT trim) requires AWD, but the 2.5L FWD autobox GS is still $3,000 cheaper than this.  And the Escape?  A 2.0T FWD Titanium (top trim) is $29,750...so thousands less than your beloved and 'reasonably-priced' Sportwagen.

I don't have a problem with the base prices - it's the option packages that are very Germanic and absurd.

A $2,200 bump nets the Comfortline, adding such goodies as faux leather for the seats, 16-inch wheels, and fog lights.

That's the horrific rip off, here.  Faux leather and fog lights?  1" larger wheels, which are still puny (relatively speaking)?  I'd never pay $2,200 for it.  Oh wait, it comes with extra chrome trim, too 

VW builds some great cars, but whomever is in charge of the packaging needs to be taken out back and shot.  It's faking ridiculous and positions like yours, Haney, support the ludicrous pricing regime.  I doubt your writing "VW, you need to be more reasonable with your option packages" will make the company drop the prices at all...but still, whose side are you on?  Other than that one line, I quite liked your article, but I'm really ticked off when auto journalists support poor pricing packages.

[tazcubed]

This is a proper subaru wagon... the new Outback is an overbloated CUV.

Keep hoping for the Subaru Levorg to make it over here - with a name change if possible. Would love it if they brought both the diesel and the STi versions, then it would be a hard choice over which one to go for.

[Gurgie]

This is a proper subaru wagon... the new Outback is an overbloated CUV.

I am sure we all agree.  But Subaru isn't dumb, look at the sales numbers of the Outback now. Compared to that generation.

I think you'd have to look at the combined numbers of the regular wagon & outback wagon of that generation... and then compare that to how well the new Outback is doing, no?  Even the Outback wagon from that generation was a looker... and a 2.5 Turbo under the hood.

[Fobroader]

This is a proper subaru wagon... the new Outback is an overbloated CUV.

I agree, I would take a wagon before some CUV any day of the week. To me CUVs are station wagons for people in denial, you bought a wagon, just bought into the marketing hype. That era Legacy wagon with the turbo powerplant and a manual transmission....wooooohooo!!!!