Pros: Excellent passenger and cargo room; nicely finished cabin; simple control layout
Cons: Leather upholstery not available; no optional engines; notably pricier than comparable Golf SportWagen
CG Says: The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack debuts for 2017 as an SUV-flavored version of VW’s compact Golf station wagon. To the basic Golf SportWagen, the Alltrack adds standard all-wheel drive, a ride height raised by 1.4 inches, and rugged lower-body cladding. Also included are rough-terrain features such as a front skid plate, hill-descent control, and an “Off-Road Mode” drive-control setting. Golf Alltrack comes with the same 170-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo as SportWagen and other Golfs. The sole transmission is VW’s DSG 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual. The base Golf Alltrack S is equipped with standard rearview camera, heated front seats and mirrors, 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink, and hill-descent control. Available features include forward-collision warning and mitigation, lane-departure warning and mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and automatic climate control. The Alltrack is more expensive and rides a little more firmly than its Golf SportWagen sibling, but it’s still a tremendously compelling vehicle that offers a “best of both worlds” blend of car and SUV attributes. Like the rival Subaru Outback, Alltrack is an excellent alternative to a traditional crossover SUV.
| Class | Compact Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door wagon |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Nation of Manufacture | Mexico |
| Base Prices | S: $26,950 SE: $30,530 SEL: $32,890 |
| Base Engine turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine |
| Horsepower 170 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed automated-manual |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 22 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 30 |
