2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen and Golf Alltrack: Your TFL Expert Buyer’s Guide is Here! [Video]

The Golf wagon is sold in Europe in a number of flavors. However, the US only sees two variants: The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen & Alltrack. Volkswagen has lent TFL a 2018 Golf Alltrack for the next three months, so we thought it would be appropriate to start things off with a TFL Expert Buyer’s Guide.

Volkswagen has been simplifying their model lineup, so the golf wagons are both available in three trim levels: S, SE, and SEL. With each trim level you get a specific set of features, with no options other than transmission.

Sportwagen Base Pricing

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen: How fast can it go on the Autobahn?

 

S: $21,685

S 4Motion (AWD): $23,935

SE: $27,320

SEL: $30,245

Note: AWD is only available on the S trim of the Sportwagen.

Alltrack Base Pricing

S: $25,995

SE: $29,765

SEL: $35,660

Engine

Every single Golf wagon sold in the US comes with the same 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.

Transmissions

There are actually four transmission options on the Golf wagon and the availability of these transmissions changes depending on what vehicle and trim level you buy.

5-Speed Manual – Available on Sportwagen S trim

Note: This transmission option limits the torque made by the 1.8L turbo to just 184 lb-ft of torque

6-Speed Manual – Available on Sportwagen S 4Motion, Alltrack S, Alltrack SE

6-Speed Automatic – Available on Sportwagen S, SE, SEL

6-Speed DSG (Dual Clutch) – Available on Sportwagen S 4Motion, Alltrack S, Alltrack SE, Alltrack SEL

Note: The 6-Speed automatic and the 6-Speed DSG are $1,100 options on their respective vehicles

Trim-Specific Features

Now that we have covered the confusing and extensive transmission options, we can go into the specific features that come with each trim. For the record, all vehicles 2018 and newer are federally required to have a backup camera. While it is still a ‘standard feature’, just know that it was a legal requirement.

Golf Sportwagen

Starting with the Sportwagen S trim you get:

  • Black or tan cloth seats with 6-way partial adjustment for the driver and passenger
  • 6.5″ touchscreen display with app connect (Android Auto, Apple Car Play), Bluetooth, and auxiliary cable
  • LED headlights
  • LED taillights
  • 15″ alloy rims

If you upgrade to AWD, you also get heated front seats standard*

Sportwagen SE (Only available in FWD w/ 6-speed auto):

  • 8″ touchscreen display w/ satellite radio
  • Power panoramic sunroof
  • Keyless entry w/ push button start
  • Front collision management, emergency braking
  • Pedestrian monitor
  • Blind spot monitor
  • Black or tan leatherette interior
  • 16″ alloy rims

Sportwagen SEL (also FWD, automatic only):

  • 8″ touchscreen with navigation
  • Fender 9-speaker premium audio system
  • Black or tan comfort sport seats (12-way power adjustment)
  • Dual zone climate control
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
  • Fog lights

Golf Alltrack

Two things distinguish the Alltrack from the exterior, the 1.4-inch lift from the Sportwagen, plus the plastic cladding surrounding the car.

Alltrack S:

  • 6.5″ touchscreen display with app connect (Android Auto, Apple Car Play), Bluetooth, and auxiliary cable
  • Halogen headlights
  • Drive mode selector – Incl. Off-road mode
    • Off-road mode adjusts the ABS programming for loose surfaces, makes the steering heavier, and makes the throttle less responsive, plus allows for hill-descent control
  • Heated front seats
  • Black, tan, or Marrakesh brown leatherette seats
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • 17″ alloy wheels

Alltrack SE:

  •  Panoramic power sunroof
  • 8″ touchscreen display w/ satellite radio
  • Keyless entry w/ push button start
  • Front collision management, emergency braking
  • Pedestrian monitor
  • Blind spot monitor
  • Rear traffic assist
  • 115V outlet in cargo area
  • Offroad-Monitor – Elevation, compass direction, and vehicle angle displayed in infotainment

Alltrack SEL:

  • 8″ touchscreen with navigation
  • Fender 9-speaker premium audio system
  • Black, tan, or brown comfort sport seats (12-way power adjustment)
  • Dual zone climate control
  • Adaptive LED headlights w/ high-beam assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
  • Park assist
  • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
  • 18″ alloy wheels
  • Offroad-Monitor – Elevation, compass direction, and vehicle angle displayed in infotainment

There it is: Every standard feature available in the Golf Wagon family.

For some more discussion, and a video run-through of this list, be sure to watch the whole video!

Please be sure to stay tuned to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for more videos on this Golf Alltrack over the coming months. Also, be sure to come back to TFLcar.com for all your news, views, and real-world, expert buyer’s guides, just like this one!