Volkswagen Golf Wagon

Local Launch
Canberra, ACT

What we liked
>> Attractive design
>> Ride and handling
>> VW build quality

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- Timing is everything
Awarded with a multitude of accolades in 2009, including the Wheels Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Golf is riding a wave of positive publicity. Now, whether a fluke of timing or part of a cleverly hatched plan, the Volkswagen Golf Wagon couldn't have arrived Down Under at a better time.

Priced from $26,990 for a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and topping out at $36,490 (not including government or delivery charges) for the range-topping turbodiesel luxury model, the Golf Wagon is a tempting proposition and one that has never before been offered in Australia.

The extra room that the wagon body style provides -- 505 litres compared to the hatch's 350 litres -- will broaden the vehicle's target demographic. But no surprise that family buyers are number one on VW Australia's marketing experts' list.

Though Volkswagen has not set any public sales targets for the Golf wagon, it is quietly confident of attracting new customers to the fold. Furthermore, with many of its erstwhile rivals having departed the country (wagon variants of the Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Holden Astra are no longer offered here), the Golf wagon has a segment almost to itself.

PRICING & EQUIPMENT
-- Broad spectrum appeal
Commanding a $2000 premium over the hatchback models, the VW Golf wagon range kicks off at $26,990 for the entry-level Trendline variant, which is packaged with the 1.4-litre TSI (turbo petrol) engine and a six-speed manual. There's also a 77kW TDI (diesel) Trendline model, which is priced slightly higher ($29,490) and is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.

These models can be optioned with a seven-speed DSG (automatic) for $2500, and all DSG models come with a hill-start assistance function.

Range-topping Comfortline models come standard with DSG, the latest seven-speed unit on the 118kW TSI model, priced at $33,900, and the six-speed DSG unit paired with the 103kW TDI for $36,490.

Manual transmissions are not offered with Comfortline models.

Standard equipment reads almost identically to the Golf hatch, with six airbags, stability control, antilock brakes, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, daytime running lights, a multifunction trip computer, roof rails and a cargo partition net as standard on all models.

Trendline models come packaged with a semi-automatic climate control system, while the up-spec Comfortline Golf wagons are packaged with 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim, plus leather steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake levers.

However, entry-level Trendline models do not come standard with cruise control, which for a starting price of around $27k may come as a shock to some. You'll have to spend $2200 on the Comfort package to rest your right foot on longer journeys.

The option list offered is extensive, serving up extras such as a large panoramic electric glass sunroof ($2000), Park Assist ($1400), plus the high end audio systems, RNS510 with satnav ($3000) and RCD510 premium audio package ($1600). A rear view camera ($500) can be optioned with either of the latter two infotainment systems.

Leather seats will set you back $3000 and there are add-on packs for both trim levels. The Comfort package ($2200) for the Trendline models adds the aforementioned cruise plus 16-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, leather controls and auto headlights and windscreen wipers. Meantime, Comfortline models are available with the Sport package ($1800), adding 17-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted side and rear windows, front fog lights, lowered sports suspension and a low tyre pressure indicator.

MECHANICAL
-- All bases covered
Built in Mexico, alongside the Beetle cabrio, the front-wheel drive VW Golf wagon is offered with four engine types -- two petrol, two diesel, all featuring forced induction.

A pair of 1.4-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engines are on offer, outputting 90kW at 5000rpm and 200Nm at 1500-4000rpm, and 118kW at 5900rpm and 240Nm at 1750-4500rpm. The latter engine has twincharging -- using a turbocharger and supercharger -- and is the fastest of the bunch (8.3 second 0-100km/h) while the former makes use of a single turbocharger.

Both engines have a very flat torque curve and deliver linear acceleration which contributes to real world drivability (see the ON THE ROAD section below). There's none of the peakiness some people attribute to turbocharged engines. Six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG units are offered, and economy ranges from 6.2L/100km in the 90kW engine to 6.3L/100km in the 118kW unit.

The four-cylinder common-rail diesel engines offered are the 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI. The 1.6-litre engine cranks out 77kW at 4400rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1900-2500rpm. The larger 2.0-litre TDI makes 103kW at 4200rpm and 320Nm between 1750-2500, and has an economy rate of 5.7L/100km. The smaller 1.6 TDI uses a claimed average of 4.7L/100km.

Riding on independent MacPherson strut suspension at the front and four-link independent suspension at the rear (and despite its fresh new face) the Golf wagon's underpinning are taken from the previous Mk5 Golf. In this respect the Golf wagon shares more mechanically with the current Jetta than the newest Golf hatches.

PACKAGING

The boot offers 505 litres of space, up from the Golf hatchback's 350 litres. If you fold down the rear seats, the Golf wagon opens up to 1495 litres and though it's somewhat narrow (the car is only 1.78 metres wide) it has good depth.

Measuring 4.63 metres long, the wagon is more than 40cm longer than Golf hatch, but it sits on the same wheelbase of 2574mm, ensuring a tight turning circle of 10.9 metres.

Rear seat room is average and for taller adults it might get a bit tight, but for two adults and two kids the layout is ideal, with lots of front seat room for taller drivers. Thankfully, the wagon also has a full-sized 16-inch spare wheel.

SAFETY
-- Middle of the road
Standard safety features across the range are neither outstanding nor lacking, delivering six airbags, seat-belt pretensioners plus driving aids such as ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction and stability programs, plus an electronic diff lock.

There's also a very handy luggage net partition that extends to the ceiling of the car and can help keep luggage from flying forward when the rear seats are folded down.

At the time of writing the Golf wagon had not been tested by ANCAP.

COMPETITORS
-- Better late than never
Volkswagen says it's two major rivals will be the small wagons from France and South Korea in the form of the Peugeot 308 Touring and Hyundai i30 CW. Volkswagen's brains trust also reckons its new Golf wagon can compete with slightly larger and more expensive vehicles, wagon versions of the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo.

The elephant in the room comes from the Golf's extended family – namely Skoda's Octavia. Available in a arrange of petrol and diesel powertrains including the Golf GTI based RS, the Czech wagon is literally a twin-under-the-skin... And an attractive and well-equipped twin at that.

The brand isn't sharing it sales predictions for the Golf wagon publically but Volkswagen Australia's Managing Director, Anke Koeckler, said: "We are quite confident, but I wouldn't talk right now about the volume. I mean, it might be considerable volume, otherwise we wouldn't launch it here."

Described as sporty but friendly by its designers, the new Golf wagon variant shows off a modern style, but one that is relatively conservative. With limited direct rivals -- after several small wagon models pulled out of the Australian market -- the Golf has entered the market at an opportune time.

ON THE ROAD
-- On its best behaviour
Like the VW Golf hatch, the wagon is a very approachable vehicle. It's easy to get in and out of, it's easy to drive and would be one of those vehicles that presents few problems in day-to-day use.

Rearward visibility isn't too bad for a wagon and the seating position is very good. All the car controls, from heating, cooling, to the stereo and trip computer, are easy to use and there's several beverage holders of various sizes scattered around for good measure.

Motivation is not an issue in the Golf wagon; even the entry-level 90kW TSI engine pulls adequately and despite a very average 9.9 second 0-100km/h sprint time, the vehicle overtakes easily with a strong surge of mid-range torque.

The engine of choice would probably be the 118kW TSI petrol engine, which has more torque and power and can really hustle if the situation requires it. The diesel models are likewise accomplished, though their power delivery is more suited to sedate (and efficient) driving.

Ride quality is very good on all models, with the wagon presenting as a smooth and quiet vehicle; even the diesel models are pleasantly quiet.

The VW Golf wagon proved to be adept at handling corners too, and with nicely sorted suspension, the car performed well in the foothills around Canberra.

Most buyers won't be too worried about how the car responds through tight, bending roads, but the good news is the Golf wagon isn't too far off the pace of the hatch. Yes, it's a heavier car (carrying a surplus mass of 100kg on average), and has a higher centre of gravity but it's still definably a Golf.

Overall the wagon is a very tidy little package, one with more practicality and more room than its hatchback cousin, and the new look rear end integrates nicely into the Golf's form. Together with an impeccably timed launch on the Australian market, benefiting from a lot a positive publicity, the VW Golf wagon has a real chance to become a segment leader.

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