Volkswagen Golf Alltrack 2015 Review

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
Road Test

Volkswagen continues to expand the Golf range, building on its wagon bodystyle with the addition of the raised-height Golf Alltrack. Doing its best SUV impression, the Alltrack adds off-road capability to a smooth 132kW driveline and strong dynamics, with the latest Haldex system proving strong in its delivery both on- and off-road. Priced from $37,990 (plus on-roads), we’d urge you to consider the Golf as a legitimate small-to-medium SUV alternative.
Even in an age where most new cars offer an at least competent experience, it’s always a pleasant surprise to have a vehicle exceed expectations. This is what happened during my week with the new Golf Alltrack Wagon.

Even though its launch may have been shadowed by the Golf R ‘hot wagon’ which arrived around the same time, the Golf Alltrack has enough identity to be appreciated as a ground-breaking vehicle in its own right… and the fact that it can break ground the R would fear to tread is also welcome.

Building off the already solid base of the Golf Wagon, the raised (+20mm) Alltrack retains the 605-litre cargo space of its sibling, expandable to 1620 litres with the split-fold second-row folded flat. By way of comparison, a Mazda CX-5 has 403 litres cargo expanding to 1560 with the second-row flattened.

It also gains an engine unique to the Golf Wagon range. Displacing 1.8 litres, the turbocharged petrol four-cylinder unit is mated solely to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and produces 132kW/280Nm. The six-speeder is a more robust transmission than the seven-speed dual-clutch found in lower-powered petrol Wagon variants, and this combination – along with the all-wheel drive componentry – uses more fuel on the claimed combined cycle at 6.7L/100km.

For reference, the $34,490 and 110kW/250Nm Golf 110TSI Highline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol petrol slurps 5.4L/100km.

Haldex’s latest ‘V’ (five) all-wheel drive system is employed, and is said to be capable of delivering ‘nearly’ 100 per cent of torque to either axle where required. Combining with regular Volkswagen features such as the differential lock – as well as specific Alltrack tech such as the Off-road drive mode and hill descent control – there’s enough tech to tantalise.

To make the most of the increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive technology, the Golf Alltrack’s body adds further to its sense of purpose. Items such as the tough, dark wheelarch mouldings and protective side sills add protection when venturing off-tarmac, the bi-xenon headlamps with cornering function improve night vision and the 17-inch alloy wheels 205/55 high-profile tyres give the Wagon’s duality away.

A 6.5-inch touchscreen also offers a range of accessibility that adds further appeal from the leather-accented seats. With sat-nav and a reversing camera fitted, the Golf Alltrack works with both Apple Car Play and Android Auto technologies to give further functionality.

On the road, one may assume that the Alltrack would suffer dynamically in its efforts to be more things to more people, but in reality the raised platform brings stronger visibility, particularly when looking through front and rear screens. It can’t quite match an SUV ride height, but the trade-off is a more road-biased handling response. There is a little more roll than the Golf Wagon, but there’s also added compliance and the steering feels well-weighted and accurate. Braking, likewise, feels confidence-inspiring.

The driveline proves capable, responsive and revvy once underway, but the combination of idle-stop for the engine and the slightly delayed drive take-up of the dual-clutch transmission makes smooth initial acceleration difficult; I ended up switching off the idle-stop function as a result. This may increase fuel consumption (incidentally, we recorded 8.1L/100km on test).

There’s also a noticeable transition of power delivery from the predominantly front-drive default, the rear axle taking traction duties a split second after the front when moving off from wet intersections.

Head for the nearest gravel road and the Golf Alltrack further proves its stability, the higher ride height and added compliance coming to the fore, the added road noise from the looser surface unable to overtake conversation inside the well-equipped interior.

To this point, the experience is similar to the better SUVs on the market, though you’d expect the gap to widen when moving onto surfaces that require more wheel articulation. Surprisingly, the Alltrack’s traction systems and added height combine to give something like a Mazda CX-5 a run for its money. Traction and ground clearance (there’s 175mm running clearance available) are superb for a vehicle of this type, the control weightings in the specific off-road mode bringing further confidence.

One aspect that does need refinement is in the hill-descent control, which is automatically available in the off-road drive mode. It works with recalibrated anti-lock braking system (said to create a ‘desirable wedge of gravel in front of the front wheels') as well as bringing smoother throttle response.

On a rutted, slow-speed downhill section on dry gravel, the hill-descent control system appears to automatically engage on the first pass, allowing the driver to negotiate the ruts, but on subsequent passes of the same section at similar speed, manual braking intervention is required. We’d be interested to hear from any owners if they’ve noticed similar inconsistencies.

It is a small blot on an otherwise highly effective experience. For not much more outlay over its (non-R) Wagon siblings, the Alltrack is even more versatile as well as more powerful. It’s definitely worth considering if you are in the market for a small-to-medium SUV.

2015 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack pricing and specifications:
Price: $37,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/280Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 158g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP