TSI SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION
2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is the latest in a long line of Golf variants (including the Golf Variant wagon in Europe). It's basically a Golf Sportwagen with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system with a slight suspension lift and some plastic cladding. Think Subaru Outback or Audi Allroad. It's a handsome little hatch that, like the Outback or Allroad, meets the new crossover craze somewhere in the middle. Our model is the top-grade SEL trim. It's powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. A manual is available on the S and SE models. The SEL comes with features like LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry. It also comes with Volkswagen's solid 6-year/72,000-mile warranty. All in, this VW Alltrack costs $36,510. Editor-in-chief Greg Migliore: I could totally see a professor rolling around in this Golf Alltrack. The slightly lifted wagon seems like the perfect vibe for someone who ponders Keats then heads for the slopes. This one is pretty handsome, done up in forest green with 18-inch alloy wheels. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder is about right, and sport mode actually offers some jump. Steering is light, but I still felt reasonably connected in the way we've come to expect from Golfs. There's a decent amount of room in the cargo area, though I'd remove that cover for most hauling exercises. The 4Motion all-wheel drive as a standard feature makes this thing flirt with Audi territory. The silhouette is a little awkward — the design seems a touch hunched over — but otherwise I really like this thing. Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder: I drove the Alltrack home in the rain, and found it to be perfectly comfortable and capable, never leaving me without grip or a sense of confidence. To me it almost felt like more like I was driving an Audi than a VW Golf. I like the clean, structured design and the thoughtful use of materials in the places that count. I also found the car to feel pretty well equipped with technology, but I also found that technology very easy to use, with clear displays and good response. Unlike some others, I didn't have any problem with the Bluetooth. A common gripe I hear in the office is that the steering feel is a little vague. While I tend to agree that it feels very electronic, and doesn't offer much in the way of feedback, it didn't bother me one bit. I still had fun pointing this down curvy, wet country roads. I especially liked the feel of the actual steering wheel in my hands. It felt kind of thin, and reminded me of a lot of older cars that I've enjoyed tossing around on winding roads. Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale: I was quite pleased when I saw that the Golf Alltrack that arrived at our office was in my favorite color scheme: Great Falls Green Metallic with …
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