Used 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion Wagon Review

Name: 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

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Read what other owners think about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion Wagon.

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LOTS of BANG for the BUCK!

Sean, Sharon, CT, 07/22/2018

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion 4dr Wagon AWD (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I’ve come to VW after 15 years with Volvo, out of financial necessity— as well as styling. My new VW 4Motion Sportwagen checks all the boxes— I’m now calling it The Poor Man’s Volvo! I honestly can’t believe VW can build this car for under $30K— thats WAY under $30K! A little internet searching lead me to a smoking deal at a dealer outside Boston. Well worth the drive from Connecticut, …

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Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion Wagon

Pros & Cons

Pro:Holds almost as much cargo as many compact crossovers
Pro:Interior features quality design and materials
Pro:Turbo four-cylinder engine delivers high fuel economy
Pro:Offers optional all-wheel drive
Con:Automatic transmission sometimes slow to shift in low-speed driving
Con:Relatively snug back seat

Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Wagon

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

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.

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.

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.

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.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO^® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen in Ohio is:

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