Flash Drive

2017 VW Golf Alltrack

April 11, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 VW Golf Alltrack TSI S 4Motion

The 2017 VW Golf Alltrack is essentially a sport wagon with raised suspension and all-weather, all-road capabilities.

Engine: 1.8-liter turbocharged I-4, 170 horsepower 199 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined

Base Price: $26,950

As Tested: $28,615

Performance:

Fun to drive

Good size for city driving

Excellent fuel economy: our best was 34.6-mpg highway

Smooth, quiet highway ride

The 2017 VW Alltrack is an excellent road car and can be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Peppy performance

Paddle shifters

Driving modes: normal, sport, custom, off-road

Raised suspension with underbody guard

Available 6-speed manual transmission

Comfort:

Supportive seats

Outstanding driver and front passenger legroom

Firm, manual adjustable lumbar both front seats

Quite hot heated front seats (3 temps)

Front seat room and comfort are excellent.

Good, adult size back seat room

Tall floor hump

Ample headroom

Very nice, thick, contoured, flat-bottom, leather steering wheel

Ample auxiliary controls

Oversize dead pedal

Wide range tilt/telescopic steering column

Nice cloth headliner

Adjustable ambient interior lighting

Utility:

Park assist info on center screen

Rear seat room is good and the split folding seats include a pass through area for long objects.

Digital and analog speedometers

Large tachometer

Big, deep, long front door bins

Very small console bin

Medium size, non-locking glovebox

Overhead sunglasses holder

Enclosed bin in front of shifter with USB port

Two leatherette seatback pouches

Small items/loose coins bin in dash

Two garment hooks

Split folding seats, but noticeable incline

The thick, flat bottom steering wheel is a pleasure to hold and use.

Flat cargo deck

Pass-through skis or long object port

Seat release levers in cargo area

Headlight wipers have heated nozzles

WOW Factors:

Pleasant styling

Great flat-bottom steering wheel

Available 6-speed manual transmission

Roomy interior

Excellent fuel economy

Whines:

Difficult to access USB port

Bottom Line:

The all-new 2017 VW Golf Alltrack with 4Motion is a compact wagon SUV variant that makes more sense for many people than a lumbering full-size SUV. It’s off-road/snow/foul weather capable, but it’s still urban roads/parking spaces friendly. The interior is roomy and fuel economy is excellent.