2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Scores Five-Star Safety Rating

CARS.COM — The 2017 Alltrack version of Volkswagen’s Golf SportWagen has earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency’s top score.

Related: 2017 VW Golf SportWagen Alltrack Ready to Take on Subaru Outback

The more rugged-looking, all-wheel-drive Alltrack wagon model matched the scores of the 2017 Golf SportWagen and Golf hatchback sedan with four stars in frontal crash and rollover tests and five stars in the side crash test for its overall five-star score.

The 2017 Alltrack will go on sale this fall as part of VW’s revised 2017 lineup, which drops the Jetta hybrid and simplifies some other trim offerings.

The 2017 Golf models are not yet rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2016 Golf SportWagen and four-door hatchback sedans are designated Top Safety Pick Plus by IIHS with top scores of good in all crashworthiness tests (small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints and seats) and a rating of advanced for the optional front crash prevention system with automatic emergency braking.

Volkswagen says that the same electronic safety package, including automatic emergency braking, will be available on the Alltrack. Pricing for the new model has not yet been announced.

The Alltrack’s most similar competitor, the larger Subaru Outback wagon, also earned a NHTSA five-star rating for its 2016 model and was awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus designation by IIHS with a superior rating for its front crash prevention technology.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on July 7 to reflect that the 2016 Golf SportWagen is rated a Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.