2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Review

Name: 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Brand: Volkswagen
Rating: 4.4 (33 reviews)

Price Range: $9,999 - $20,998

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Appraise My 2018 Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen model years

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Kurt Niebuhr

Pros

Holds almost as much cargo as many compact crossovers
Interior features quality design and materials
Turbo four-cylinder engine delivers high fuel economy
Offers optional all-wheel drive

Cons

Automatic transmission sometimes slow to shift in low-speed driving
Relatively snug back seat

What’s new

For 2018, all trim levels receive LED taillights, LED daytime running lights and automatic wipers. Volkswagen has also upgraded the SportWagen's touchscreen infotainment systems. Finally, the SE trim gets more standard safety features this year, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Vehicle overview

Are you in the market for something very practical but not interested in a compact SUV? The Golf SportWagen might be just what you're looking for. It combines the high levels of fit and finish and excellent road manners found in the standard Golf but with considerably more cargo space.

For sale near Ashburn, VA

5 listings

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2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
TSI SEL Wagon
$16,986
- 99,495 miles
- 5 Seats, 24 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- 4 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Sterling, VA
Dealer processing fee is already included in our advertised price. We believe an all-in price is the most transparent and straightforward way to earn ...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3VWL17AU3JM763632
Stock:
VP15774
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
05-13-2026
2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
TSI S 4Motion Wagon
$9,999
- 127,378 miles
- 5 Seats, 22 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- 19 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Rockville, MD
Introducing the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion - the perfect combination of style, performance, and versatility. This compact wagon is ...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3VW117AU5JM753210
Stock:
753210
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
03-22-2026

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VW turned the already practical Golf into an even more practical wagon by adding an extra foot of length to the cargo area, resulting in 66.5 cubic feet of space with the seats down (up from the standard Golf's 53.7 cubic feet). That's similar to what a lot of compact SUVs can hold. The Golf SportWagen also boasts a smooth and efficient turbocharged engine and an upscale interior. You can even get it with all-wheel drive, which is a useful option if you frequently drive in inclement weather.

On the downside, you don't quite get that elevated driving position like you do with an SUV, and the best small SUVs (the Honda CR-V, for example) ultimately have more backseat space and cargo room. Overall, though, we think the 2018 Golf SportWagen is a great alternative to more mainstream offerings.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

With 170 horsepower, the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine should prove potent enough for most drivers. It'll have to because it's the only choice. Despite the vehicle's name, there's not much "sport" to the car's handling abilities.

Acceleration

The extra length and weight make the SportWagen feel less urgent than a regular Golf hatchback when accelerating around town, but it's a subtle difference.

Braking

The brake pedal has an uncharacteristically firm feel to it for a VW, which is a good thing. The braking performance is predictable at all speeds.

Steering

For the most part, the SportWagen feels responsive from the helm. It doesn't give you a particularly great sense of the road exactly, but most drivers should find it perfectly adequate.

Handling

We've found the SportWagen delivers only modest handling capability when you're driving around turns. All-wheel drive should come in handy on the rain-soaked pavement, but don't expect it to liven up the SportWagen's ability on a dry, winding country road.

Drivability

The automatic transmission hampers drivability. You'll often notice small lurches when you accelerate from a stop or when you need a quick change in speed. You either need to let it creep slowly or stomp the gas to subvert this behavior.

Comfort

The SportWagen is a Golf through and through, which means impressive seat and ergonomic comfort all around. The central control panel is angled toward the driver for easier access.

Seat comfort

The standard front seats should provide firm support over short and long distances. Both front seats are height-adjustable. There is generous space in the rear, but low cushions mean less thigh support for taller passengers.

Ride comfort

Ruts and potholes are smoothed over by the compliant suspension tuning. The SportWagen is composed on the highway, too.

Noise & vibration

Some road noise is noticeable but not intrusive. Engine noise is prominent under heavy acceleration, but more performance-minded drivers will probably like its burly sound.

Climate control

You'll need to step up to the SEL model to get dual-zone climate control with automatic air conditioning. It's not a deal-breaker, but other automakers offer this creature comfort on lesser trim levels.

Interior

Large windows all around with ample glass and a simple, sensible control layout make the SportWagen's cabin a pleasant, user-friendly environment. The premium materials and a conservative design make this wagon seem more entry-luxury than economy compact.

Ease of use

The controls are well-placed and labeled for ease of use, and the gauges are straightforward and very easy to read. Nothing fancy, just strong fundamentals.

Getting in/getting out

Front passengers will have no complaints, but those in back might have something to carp about. The rear doors have a relatively narrow opening, and if the front seat is pushed back for long legs, there's not much room for the rear passenger to squeeze behind.

Driving position

Everything falls readily to hand in the SportWagen, which is unsurprising because it's basically the same praiseworthy interior you'll find in an ordinary Golf. The wheel telescoping range is very generous for taller drivers as is the seat-height range.

Roominess

The seating in the rear is a bit lacking compared to the back seats of some roomy small crossovers or a bigger wagon such as the Subaru Outback. But there's plenty of space for the front passengers.

Visibility

All-around visibility is excellent thanks to the narrow roof pillars. Backing into a spot is easy enough that you won't need to rely on the standard rearview camera — but it's nice to have anyway.

Utility

Increased cargo capacity and utility are arguably the key reasons to buy the SportWagen over the Golf hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the cargo area is cavernous. The standard roof rails sweeten the deal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Small-item storage

To VW's credit, the flip-door ashtray area in front of the shift lever has been converted into a phone shelf with a USB port and auxiliary jack — it's super-convenient for stashing and connecting your phone. Otherwise, the center console offers only two cupholders and a shallow armrest bin.

Cargo space

Open the rear hatch and you've got 30.4 cubic feet of space behind the upright rear seats to work with, which is enough for the typical load of luggage, home goods and groceries. Dropping the rear seats yields 66.5 cubic feet, which is similar to what you get from a lot of small crossovers.

Technology

Thankfully, Volkswagen has upgraded this system for 2018 with new 6.5- and 8-inch touchscreens, complete with a much-improved interface and graphics. The voice control system is well-executed.

Audio & navigation

The standard audio system isn't bad, and the Fender premium upgrade adds a subwoofer. Audiophiles will like lossless file playback capability. Only the SEL model offers navigation.

Smartphone integration

The sophisticated smartphone capability is anchored by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It mirrors the smartphone interface and makes available commonly used apps such as Pandora, Spotify and TuneIn internet radio.

Driver aids

The SE and SEL have most of the latest driver safety aids standard, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The SEL also gets adaptive cruise control.

Which Golf SportWagen does Edmunds recommend?

The base model S is well-equipped, and it's the only trim that offers all-wheel drive or a manual transmission. But a better choice is the SE. You also get an 8-inch touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, simulated leather upholstery and more driver safety aids. It's a better value than the SEL. And if you really need AWD, consider the better-equipped Golf Alltrack wagon.

Compare 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen trim levels

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen models

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen comes in four trim levels: S, S with 4Motion, SE and SEL. The base S comes nicely equipped and offers most of what you need and comes in a 4Motion version with all-wheel drive. The SE and the SEL add more convenience, luxury and safety features.

All trim levels are powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque (automatic transmission) or 184 lb-ft (manual transmission).

On the S, you can get either a six-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive, which VW calls 4Motion, is optional for the S trim level and comes with either a six-speed manual or a different automatic transmission, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox called DSG in Volkswagen-speak. The SE and SEL have the regular six-speed auto as standard.

Standard feature highlights for the S include 15-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, roof rails, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front seats with partial power adjustment, 60/40-split folding rear seats with a center pass-through and a 115-volt outlet in the cargo area.

Also standard are a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and VW's Car-Net App-Connect and Car-Net Security & Service connectivity systems. The base audio system includes eight speakers, a CD player, satellite and HD radio, and auxiliary audio, USB and SD card inputs.

The S with 4Motion trim is the same but has 16-inch wheels and heated front seats.

Moving up to the SE gets you 16-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and push-button ignition, simulated leather upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The top-level SEL builds on SE features with 17-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, automatic dual-zone climate control and a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The SEL also includes navigation and a powerful Fender audio system as well as adaptive cruise control.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$171/mo

$217/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Reliability

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen has a 6 years / 72,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #21 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#21 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$580/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

0.61x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

11.5%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

5 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V110000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VW: 20UF/A
Number of vehicles affected:: 261257
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Defect Consequence:: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Recall Number:: 19V615000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 37M2
Manufactured from:: 2016-06-23 to 2017-07-12
Number of vehicles affected:: 679027
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Defect Consequence:: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Recall Number:: 19V188000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 42J5
Manufactured from:: 2017-03-22 to 2018-11-06
Number of vehicles affected:: 56173
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Defect Consequence:: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

Recall Number:: 18V464000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 37L5
Manufactured from:: 2014-12-10 to 2017-06-19
Number of vehicles affected:: 33168
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Defect Consequence:: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 8, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

Recall Number:: 18V369000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 47N8, 47N9
Manufactured from:: 2018-03-20 to 2018-05-12
Number of vehicles affected:: 10206
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Defect Consequence:: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the brake system and as necessary, bleed the front brakes (Atlas models only) or bleed the rear brakes (all other Volkswagen models). Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Warranty

6 years / 72,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 6 years / 72,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 72,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

33 reviews

5(64%)

4(24%)

3(6%)

2(3%)

1(3%)

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2018 Golf SportWagen Features & Specs

Trim:

TSI S

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$21,685
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$171/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	6 years / 72,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Golf SportWagen models:

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System: Applies the brakes immediately after a collision to stop movement and avoid a secondary impact.
Forward Collision Warning: Issues visual and aural alerts if a collision seems likely. Applies brakes autonomously if necessary to mitigate impact.
Rear Traffic Alert: Helps detect approaching objects that might not be visible from the sides when backing up. It has a 65-foot range.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good