2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

How do you keep a dying breed alive? You cross-breed it with one that's beginning to thrive; a recipe that has, in essence, brought about the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, a crossover wagon offering the best of many worlds. Based on the familiar Golf Hatchback and the subsequent Golf SportWagen, the Alltrack is a raised compact wagon that's been slapped with some rugged exterior styling and all-wheel-drive. With this in mind, the Alltrack balances on-road performance and practicality with off-road ability as the ultimate vehicle for adventure seekers. The Alltrack's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is fed with outputs of 168 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque produced by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder motor, and either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Though there aren't many direct competitors within the crossover wagon segment in the US, the Alltrack follows suit of the Subaru Crosstrek, which finds its own basis in the humble Subaru Impreza Hatch.

Wagon up top, crossover below, the Golf Alltrack carries a traditional station wagon body, only distinguished with a raised ride height augmented by black plastic side sills and wheel arches that conjure images of rugged capability. All models feature roof rails in a silver color, reflex-silver side mirrors, and lower window chrome moldings, while LED taillights and a bumper dominated by silver underbody protection delineate the rear. Halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights are standard on base models, with the SEL getting LED headlights with an adaptive front-lighting system. Filling the wheel arches of the Alltrack S and SE are 17-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, while 18-inch alloys befit the range-topping SEL.

Compared to the VW Golf Hatchback's dimensions, the Alltrack measures 12.6 inches longer at 180.2 inches in length, all thanks to its wagon DNA; it's 1.4 inches taller at 59.6 inches in height by virtue of its raised ground clearance and added roof rails - which is at 6.9 inches to the Hatchback's 6.5 inches. The Alltrack's wheelbase spans 103.5 inches. The hatchback is slightly longer at 103.8 inches, but both otherwise share a width of 70.8 inches. With curb weights ranging from 3,349 pounds with the S spec to 3,402 lbs on the SEL Auto, the Alltrack is around 250 lbs heavier than the standard Golf hatchback, and about 150 lbs heavier than an all-wheel-drive Golf SportWagen.

A zealous and responsive turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four engine powers the VW Golf Alltrack's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system via either a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed DSG automatic. Despite the engine's modest outputs of 168 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, acceleration off-the-line is pretty decent; when coupled to the manual, it gets the Alltrack from 0-60 mph in around seven seconds, while surprisingly, the DCT takes nearly half a second longer to reach 60. With either of the transmissions, the powertrain feels polished and willing, especially in the midrange with power delivery that has the Alltrack even feeling playful. But the manual is definitely the more refined of the two, as the DSG automatic is slow to respond and select a lower gear, and is clunky when it does.

Every Alltrack has an "Offroad" drive mode, which, when enabled, dulls throttle responses and specifically calibrates the ESC and ABS systems for reduced slippage and improved traction on loose surfaces. Make no mistake, though, this is a soft-roader, and competition like the Subaru Crosstrek will have the better of it on any off-road surface.

The Golf Alltrack wagon does a good job of delivering a ride that feels sporty, but at the same time comfortable. Its suspension is raised, and its tuning is on the taut side, but beneficially so. While it competently maintains the Alltrack's chassis composure when driving spiritedly, controlling body roll adeptly through corners, it also adequately deals with the typical undulations and uneven road surfaces experienced day-to-day.

Its steering is precise and weighted for optimal control and minimal effort at higher speeds, and for easy maneuverability when in town. Braking is reasonably responsive in the Alltrack, and the pedal itself is firm - good traits for the semi-terrain vehicle. The Alltrack is to no extent as sporty as the standard Golf, or as off-road capable as the Subaru Crosstrek, which boasts a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. But it really does strike a fine balance between on and off-road ability that may be its greatest asset.

Gas mileage estimates for the 2019 VW Golf Alltrack is, unfortunately, rather uncompetitive for the class, and unimpressive in general, considering the crossover wagon's relatively small engine. With the standard manual transmission kept in play, the Alltrack returns EPA estimates of 21/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined. With the presence of the dual-clutch automatic transmission, those figures improve only slightly, the city driving estimates increasing to 22 mpg and the combined figure to 25 mpg. Topped up with regular unleaded gas, the Alltrack's 14.5-gallon gas tank accords the crossover wagon with a range of around 362.5 miles before running dry in its automatic guise.

The Golf Alltrack's interior is stylish and pleasant, with seating for up to five occupants on comfortable and supportive seats - sport seats in the SEL - all with standard faux-leather upholstery. Six-way semi-power adjustable front seats are standard in base models, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat in the SEL offering easy positioning for driver's of any physique. Passenger room is ample throughout the cabin, and ingress and egress are as effortless as getting into a high-set wagon could be.

The Alltrack offers immense practicality; with 30.4 cubic feet of trunk space, there's enough space for all the camping equipment a small family would need for a weekend getaway, including a tent. Folding down the 60/40 split-folding rear seats expands that space to a versatile 66.5 cu-ft in a practical, broad loading area with a relatively low lift-over height. The cabin impresses just as much, providing passengers with ample storage solutions, including long and wide door side pockets on all four doors, two cupholders up front and in the back, seatback map pockets behind each front seat, a spacious passenger-side glovebox, and a small center armrest console.

All versions of the Alltrack, right from the base model, are well equipped, with the S coming standard with power-operated and heated side mirrors, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and gear-shift knob, manual air conditioning, an off-road drive mode, heated six-way partially power-adjustable front seats, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The standard safety consignment is rather impressive too, including a rearview camera, an intelligent crash response system, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and rear traffic alert. The SE ups the ante on comfort and convenience, boasting keyless access with push-button start, a power-operated tilt/slide panoramic sunroof, and ambient interior lighting. Standard with the SEL and optional for the SE are park steering assist, an offroad monitor, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

The Alltrack delivers favorably on the infotainment front; a 6.5-inch touchscreen display is present in the S, upgraded to an eight-inch display in the SE and SEL. Device and media connectivity is offered via a single SD card slot and USB port, as well as via Bluetooth wireless technology. There's SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, and hands-free Bluetooth smartphone connectivity for up to two devices in the SE and SEL. The Discover Media unit in the SEL also comprises 2.5D navigation, with one-shot voice destination entry. VW's Car-Net smartphone connectivity system is included in every model as well, comprising Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality as well as MirrorLink capability.

The Volkswagen Alltrack has proven itself over the years, and the current generation has not been the subject of a single recall since its launch in 2015. J.D. Power saw it fit, after reviews of the VW Golf Alltrack, to award it with an exceptional quality and reliability score of 81 out of 100. Furthermore, Volkswagen covers the new model with an industry-leading six-year/72,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety ratings for the 2019 VW Golf Alltrack are relatively good, with the NHTSA availing the current model with an overall safety rating of five out of a possible five stars. In the Golf Alltrack's review fromIIHS, the Alltrack received top-notch ratings of Good for five of six specific evaluations, the model scoring Average only in the front overlap test for the passenger side. Every Alltrack comes standard with six airbags, including side-curtain protection, forward-collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and cruise control.

The VW Golf Alltrack is an excellent vehicle in many areas, combining the best aspects of wagons and crossovers alike. It's gas mileage may be average, but it combats this with a wonderful powertrain and a ride that teeters perfectly on the cusp between performance and comfort. This, along with the bountiful cargo space available in the trunk and ample passenger room provided throughout the cabin, makes the Alltrack a comfortable and practical long-distance journey-maker. On top of that, the Alltrack's standard infotainment setup makes the trip even more enjoyable, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality even at the base level. Furthermore, the Alltrack is packed with active safety and driver assists as standard too, giving the buyer confidence to take the whole family along wherever the destination, only augmented by the NHTSA and IIHS's top-notch safety scores. With the MK 7 Golf nearing the end of its run, the Alltrack won't be with us in the USA for much longer, but while it is, it's a jack of all trades for the modern adventurer.

Prospective buyers won't have to dish out too much for the Golf Alltrack S trim, set at the base point of the lineup with a base price of $26,895. The price increments between trims are rather steep, however, the SE taking the center position within the lineup with an MSRP of $30,495, followed by the lineup topping SEL with an MSRP $34,995. Those are excluding Volkswagen's destination charge of $895 as well as any tax, registration, or licensing fees. Opting for the automatic transmission will add $1,100 to the asking price of any model.

With the SE being outfitted with a greater selection of appealing features over the base model, we'd suggest opting for this mid-range configuration. This model is priced at the median of the lineup and comes standard with features such as keyless access with push-button start, a power-operated panoramic sunroof, and ambient interior lighting. Its infotainment system is also upgraded with an eight-inch touchscreen display and with SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity for up to two devices. Above the base model S, it also receives availability to an optional Driver Assistance and Appearance Package, which we recommend including for the upgraded LED-exterior lighting and larger wheels, along with the added advanced driver assists. We also recommend retaining the standard six-speed manual transmission as it adds to driver engagement and the performance-side of the Alltrack while avoiding the sometimes sluggish nature of the unrefined dual-clutch automatic.

The current Alltrack crossover wagon followed suit of the Subaru Outback, a midsize crossover wagon much larger than the Alltrack. It comes equipped with two burlier engine options, a 2.5-liter inline-four with an output of 175 hp and a 3.6-liter flat-six kicking out 256 hp. Either of those engines, combined with the Outback's CVT, are more fuel-efficient than the Alltrack's turbo motor; the Subaru four-cylinder returning 32/25/28 mpg and the flat-six 27/20/23 mpg. With a higher ground clearance, the Outback also offers the greater off-road capability and boasts a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs. There's also slightly more trunk space offered in the Outback, with 35.5 cubic feet offered behind the rear seats, expanding to an impressive 73.3 cubes with the seats down. Though the Alltrack received top-notch safety ratings, the Outback was assigned a Top Safety Pick + designation from the IIHS, giving it another point over the Alltrack. With the Outback offered at the same price as the Alltrack, it's certainly the higher value for money buy and better vehicle overall.

The Audi A4 Allroad is almost double the price of the Alltrack purely for its positioning as a luxury compact vehicle. The Allroad will offer a far more premium package overall, with higher quality materials and a more luxurious interior boasting fully power-adjustable front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, and leather seating surfaces. It comes with a more contemporary infotainment system, too, comprising a premium ten-speaker audio layout. Performance-wise, the Allroad is a lot more performance-oriented, yet also more comfortable. Its 2.0-liter inline-four engine and polished seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox get the Allroad off-the-line to 60 mph in a quick 5.9 seconds. It received slightly better safety ratings from the IIHS, but the Alltrack comes outfitted with a few more driver assists at standard. The Allroad offers less practicality, however, with only 24.2 cu-ft offered behind the rear seats. If its practicality and value you're after, the Alltrack gets the balance just right; but if your priority is luxury and refinement with the ability to go off the beaten track, then the Audi Allroad is a costly, albeit exceptional vehicle.