2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Wagon Starts at $27,770
CARS.COM — Volkswagen’s Golf Alltrack all-wheel-drive wagon will start at $27,770 for a base S model with automatic transmission when it goes on sale in October. VW says a cheaper S model with a six-speed manual will be available “in early 2017” starting at $26,670 (all prices include destination). The new wagon is aimed at a market niche Subaru has mined quite successfully.
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The Alltrack is a first step toward beefing up the brand’s car-heavy lineup with more competitive crossover offerings for the U.S. market. Coming are a large, three-row SUV and a redesigned Tiguan for the hot compact SUV market.
But the immediate targets for the Alltrack are Subaru’s successful Outback and Crosstrek models. Like those car-based vehicles, the Alltrack adds crossover styling cues along with standard all-wheel drive, in this case VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system that anticipates wheelspin and can shift up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels.
The Alltrack is based on VW’s Golf SportWagen and Golf SportWagen 4Motion, sharing most of their features and powertrains, including the 170-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Setting it apart in the parking lot are extra body cladding, model-specific front and rear bumpers with silver-colored underbody guards, standard fog lights and a special black honeycomb grille. The Alltrack also gains 0.6 inches in ground clearance at 6.9 inches and gives up some gas mileage, with an EPA rating of 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined versus the regular front-wheel-drive 2017 SportWagen automatic model’s 25/34/29 mpg rating.
Moving up from the S trim, the SE starts at $31,350 with the automatic ($1,100 less with manual when available), which adds such amenities as a panoramic sunroof and Fender premium audio. The feature-loaded top SEL trim is automatic only and starts at $33,710.
A Driver Assistance Package of electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, front and rear park assist, parking steering assist and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking is offered on the S and SE trims for $845. For the SEL, those are bundled with lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, automatic high-beams, an auto-dimming mirror and bi-xenon adaptive headlights in the Driver Assistance and Lighting Package for $1,995.
While the Alltrack is closer in size to the Subaru Impreza-based Crosstrek, it has more cargo space and is priced more in line with the 2017 Outback, which starts at $26,520, climbs higher at $36,870 to start for the top Touring four-cylinder model, and offers a Touring six-cylinder above that. The 2016 Crosstrek starts at $22,445 for the base model and $25,945 for the top Limited trim.
