Volkswagen Alltrack 2012 Review

Aggressive pricing by Volkswagen will slice into Australia’s all-wheel drive heartlands when it debuts its new wagon later this year.

The Passat Alltrack is expected here at less than $50,000 - a $15,000 discount to similarly-equipped European off-road wagons and lobbing right into Subaru’s hunting ground.

The Alltrack - driven for the first time here - was expected to cost about $58,000 when it goes on sale in Australia in November.

But Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling later says his company wants a sub-$50,000 tag for its 125kW turbo-diesel automatic - a move that will shake the established all-wheel drive market and rattle a lot of similarly-priced SUVs.

Would you buy one? Do you need one? If you desire the off-road capabilities of an all-wheel drive SUV wagon but don’t need that vehicle’s height, fuel consumption and bulk, then the answer may be “yes’’.

Volkswagen already has a Passat all-wheel drive (in VW speak, it’s called 4Motion) wagon. But the new Alltrack, here in November priced from under $50,000 which is about $4000 more than Passat front-drive wagon - is different.

It gets the same off-road package - electronic drive traction and braking aids, a steel underbody and an extra 30mm ride height - as its Touareg and Tiguan SUVs.

That makes it as capable - except for the Passat’s extended front and rear overhang - as the pair. Yet the new Alltrack is more luxury-oriented, more comfortable and handles with far more confidence on bitumen. It also smacks the face of its sister, the Audi Allroad, which - when it returns to the market late this year - costs about $50,000 more. Is Alltrack a worthy rival to SUVs? Absolutely.

VALUE

Volkswagen Australia says it comes as a one-spec version for less than $50,000. In perspective, the current 125kW/350Nm Passat front-drive wagon sells for $45,990.

The Alltrack adds all-wheel drive, extra electronic aids, an underbody protection plate, different ride height and a new set of front and rear bumpers, wheel arches and an upspec cabin that includes pleated leather upholstery.

For that it trounces its European rivals - Volvo, BMW and the new Range Rover Evoque - but the fact that it’s more comfortable and handles like a sporty passenger car gives it an even bigger edge.

DESIGN

The Passat wears pretty bland clothing and the Alltrack merely adds a bit more interest with its bolder bumpers, macho wheel arches and high ride height.

Conservative it may be, but the Passat is actually beautifully crafted with quality that matches Audi. The size offers excellent cabin room, a huge boot and the expected high level of versatility in an SUV.

The dashboard escapes much of the all-black plastic of some VW models with contrasting colours and soft-feel plastics.

TECHNOLOGY

The 4Motion system has been around for a few years, now upgraded for the Tiguan and Touareg and this spills over into the Alltrack.  It delivers about 10 per cent power to the rear wheels on bitumen but seeks out traction and is flexible enough to put up to 100 per cent to the rear wheels. 

An electronic off-road program can, at the push of a dash button, modify the ABS brakes to react less aggressively on soft road surfaces, dampen accelerator pedal delivery, deactivate some aids and automatically switch on a hill descent program to control downhill manouevres.

SAFETY

The Alltrack has the added all-wheel drive system as its main safety point, enhanced by a five-star crash rating, six airbags and a raft of electronic aids. It is likely to get a space-saver temporary spare but this is yet to be decided.

The wheel well may be able to accept a full-size spare. There’s also a standard reverse camera.

DRIVING

It is perhaps expected but the Alltrack drives like any other 2012 Passat. That it’s predictable, comfortable and feels so confident on the road is a good thing. It’s not especially inspiring around the city and it’s not until it’s shown poor-grade roads and winding routes that it comes into its own.

The test cars (in Austria during snow season) had Pirelli Sottozero winter tyres that were absolutely superb grippers. Nice choice for Australian ski bunnies but for the rest of us, the all-season tyre is yet to be chosen.

That final decision aside, the Alltrack rides and steers as good as a standard front-drive Passat. The sole engine - at the launch - will be the 125kW/350Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel with excellent mid-range punch but a bit weak off the mark. 

It retains the diesel growl at idle but is nicely muted at speed. The box is a six-speed DSG with paddle shifts for manual operation. Tested in snow, the all-wheel drive system constantly sends power to the wheels with traction.

It works very well but enthusiastic off-road owners will find the car’s flaws are its 165mm ground clearance and its comparatively long 941mm/1120mm front/rear overhangs.

The Alltrack will tow up to 2000kg and - with the standard anti-sway program within the car’s brake package - is appealing to people towing boats, horse floats and caravans.

VERDICT

This could be a high-quality, affordable alternative to the increasingly ubiquitous SUV. The fact it drives like a standard car and yet has good off-road ability makes a lot of sense.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ALLTRACK

Price: est. $49,500
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Resale: n/a
Service interval: 15,000km or 12 months
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.
Crash rating: 5 stars
Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel
Body: 5-door, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4771mm (L);1820mm (W); 1513mm (H); 2710mm (WB)
Weight: 1725kg
Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic; all-wheel drive
Economy: 5.9 l/100km; 155g/km CO2
OTHERS TO CONSIDER

BMW X3 20d
Star rating: 3.5 out of five stars
Price: $62,200
Enigine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 135kW/380Nm
Transmission: 8-spd automatic, all-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 5.6L/100km, CO2 147g/km
"Top-notch drive but down on VW’s value for money''

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE TD4 DYNAMIC
Star rating: 4 out of five stars
Price: $69,375
Engine: 2.2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 110kW/400Nm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, all-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 6.5L/100km, CO2 174g/km
"Fantastic looker that has good off-road ability but watch the options list''

VOLVO XC70 D5
Star: 3.5 out of five stars
Price: $63,450
Enigne: 2.4-litre, 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 158kW/440Nm
Transmission: 6-spd auto, all-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 6.9L/100km, CO2 188g/km
"Seriously under rated wagon that is Alltrack’s main rival''