Volkswagen applies its Alltrack thinking to the Golf Estate. Adventurous? A little, says Al Suttie.
1 – No matter what anyone tells you, 15mm just doesn’t make a big difference. We’re talking raised ride height here, of course.
2 – That’s the extra ground clearance you get with the Golf Alltrack and it makes a fart in a gale’s difference to the VW’s off-road ability.
3 – There is, however, 4Motion all-wheel drive provides plenty of grip for slippery tracks and grassy fields.
4 – Therein lies the market for the Alltrack: anyone who needs a car that can deal with the bit between tarmac and real off-road work.
5 – Get past all the pseudo-all terrain nonsense and this Golf is a well kitted, comfortable and swift estate.
6 – In 2.0-litre TDI 184hp form with the six-speed DSG gearbox, it knocks off 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds while offering 57.6mpg.
7 – The DSG auto suits the engine and car well, but I’m not a fan of the auto stop-start that is just a fraction too slow to restart the motor.
8 – This shows itself all too often as you gently approach a junction. Just when you want to pull away, you’re left waiting for the engine to catch up.
9 – Still, you can turn off the auto stop-start, though it does mean pressing the button every time you get in.
10 – As a wagon, the Golf provides loads of boot space, but a Skoda Octavia Scout is bigger still and cheaper.
