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Families will be won over by the wagon's Germanic practicality, quality and most of all, the entry price of the Volkswagen Golf wagon. Photo Gallery
Neil McDonald road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Golf wagon at its Australian launch
The Volkswagen Golf wagon is a big seller in Germany and although it has conservative local sales expectations a lack of direct rivals could help spread the word about the family oriented Golf. It's also a small car with medium car aspirations.
So much so, that VW hopes buyers looking at the Ford Mondeo wagon, Skoda Octavia wagon and Mazda6 wagon may cast an eye over the Golf wagon.
Pricing and variants
The wagon commands a $2000 premium over the equivalent hatch models and shares the hatches Trendline and Comfortline specifications and equipment. Prices start at $26,990 for the entry 90TSI, rising to $36,490 for the 103TDI model.
Buyers have the choice of four models, a 90TSI manual and seven-speed DSG, 77TDI manual or DSG, the 118 TSI DSG and the 103TDI DSG.
VW Australia is unlikely to launch an all-wheel drive version of the Golf wagon.
Although available in other markets, a Golf 4Motion wagon, would add too much complexity to the local model lineup, according to VW Australia executives. Price and positioning could also be a problem, with Tiguan being the company's star all-wheel drive off-roader locally, according to VW Australia managing director, Anke Koeckler.
Driving
The ride is just as composed as the Golf hatch and despite the extra glass area and more open rear, cabin noise is restrained, due in part to an acoustic windscreen, which helps block out wind noise. The steering is precise and the ride has that deliberate well-sorted European feel about it. Unladen, harsh bumps are heard rather than felt and the cabin feels secure.
The cargo area is well constructed and designed with durability in mind with a hard wearing carpeted floor and plenty of tiedowns. Like may Euro wagons, the sturdy cargo net can be positioned in two locations, depending on the load. There is a nifty hide-away compartment below the luggage floor and the full-size spare is also a welcome addition.
We spent most of the time in what is expected to be the volume seller - the 118 TSI mated to a standard seven-speed DSG gearbox. The big surprise from this modest powerplant is that it delivers the power and response normally associated with a larger 2.0-litre engine, all from a 1.4-litre four cylinder that is both turbocharged and supercharged.
Volkswagen calls it Twincharger and if you haven't driven it take one for a spin. Families will be won over by the wagon's Germanic practicality, quality and most of all, price of the entry 90TSI. The Golf wagon is so good, we suspect it might steal a few sales from the Passat wagon.
Volkswagen Golf 118TSI wagon
Price: from $26,990
Features: Six airbags, 60/40 split fold rear seat with lift up cushions, full-size spare, extendable luggage net partition, roof rails, daytime running lights We like: bank vault quality, ride, handling We don't like: no cruise control entry models; parking sensors/rear camera linked to expensive satellite navigation system
Engines: 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre (90TSI); 118kW/240Nm 1.4-litre (118TSI); 77kW/250Nm (70TDI); 103kW/320Nm (103TDI)
Transmissions: Five and six-speed manual, six-speed DSG, seven-speed DSG
Economy: 6.7 litres/100km (90TSI man); 6.3 litres/100km (118TSI DSG); 4.7 litres/100km (77TDI man); 5.7 litres/100km (103TDI DSG)
Rivals
Hyundai i30 wagon: From $21,890
Skoda Octavia wagon: From $28,990
Peugeot 308 wagon: From $31,790
