Used 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is essentially a slightly raised, ruggedized, all-wheel-drive version of the Golf SportWagen. It’s a niche vehicle, but we’ll let the secret out: The VW Alltrack is among the most versatile and rewarding cars you can buy. The Alltrack holds ample gear, while its all-wheel drive and extra ground clearance truly make it a vehicle for all manner of roads and weather. Then there’s the powertrain. Its turbocharged 4-cylinder is both peppy and relatively efficient, and if you’re among the “save the manuals” crowd, all three trims can now be had with a manual transmission in lieu of the popular automatic. Starting at $26,895, the 2019 Alltrack is pricier than the slightly smaller Subaru Crosstrek, but it has more personality in both its driving manners and overall attitude.

We put more than 23,000 miles on a new VW Alltrack over a couple of years, and had more than 23,000 reasons to smile in doing so. The Golf Alltrack is simply a highly rewarding, capable and practical vehicle. Compared to the Subaru Crosstrek, the VW Alltrack is peppier and more satisfying to drive. With about 170 horsepower, this rugged VW wagon isn’t blazing, but it’s fast enough, especially if you engage the Sport mode. The ride quality is pure European VW: taut yet compliant, with enough stiffness to have fun in the twisties. Open-road, high-speed cruising is a breeze, as we found on a roughly 3,000-mile trek from California to Texas and back, carrying two adults and a dog, no less. Whether slogging through a rainstorm or rallying on dirt roads, the Alltrack’s all-wheel-drive system proved tenacious and never lost grip. Except for the occasional hesitant shift at lower speeds, the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic is a smooth operator and another differentiator between the Crosstrek’s CVT automatic (continuously variable transmission). If you enjoy shifting, you’ll really enjoy a manual-transmission Alltrack. The 6-speed manual is engaging, and compared to the Crosstrek’s manual, crisper in its operation.

When Audi is your cousin, that means even the lesser family members benefit. We’ve always thought of the Alltrack as the everyman’s Allroad, and that correlation extends to the VW’s 5-passenger interior. The design is classy but functions for climate, infotainment and the like are a cinch to use. The standard Leatherette upholstery is durable, comfortable and easy to clean. The black or beige colors look nice, but we really dig the Marrakesh brown, especially when tied to a blue or dark green exterior. Seat comfort is good for the long haul, and don’t overlook the small lever that varies lumbar support. We also give props to the center console lid that ratchets up to serve as an armrest. Rear-seat space is good, and cargo room is even better. Behind the rear seats is an ample 30.4 cubic feet of space. Fold the 60/40-split seats, and you get 66.5 cubic feet, like a small SUV. The VW Alltrack is also a great car for dogs. Unlike an SUV, the floor is low enough for canine companions to clamber in.

Although it’s based on the VW Golf SportWagen, the Alltrack’s raised suspension, unique front and rear bumpers, and dark body cladding along its side sills and wheel arches give it a tough, rugged look. Overall, the design is adventurous without being over the top or looking like a traditional station wagon. All trims now have LED daytime running lights and fog lights. LED headlights are optional on SE trims and standard on SEL trims, and we recommend them for their improved brightness and nighttime visibility. The Alltrack rides on 17-inch wheels for base models, or 18-inch rollers for the higher trims. An impressively large panoramic sunroof is standard on SE and SEL trims.

VOLKSWAGEN WARRANTY
Introduced last year, the People First Warranty has gone a long way in bolstering confidence in VW’s products. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for six years or 72,000 miles, and it’s even transferable if you sell the car during the coverage period.

MANUAL-TRANSMISSION ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE WAGON
For a select group of drivers, that combination of words is the key to a perfect car. It gets even better for the 2019 Alltrack: Where more carmakers are abandoning manual transmissions, VW has extended the offering to all trims of this adventure wagon.

The 2019 VW Golf Alltrack comes in three trims: S, SE and SEL. The least expensive Alltrack S is well equipped and completely recommendable. It includes faux-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield-washer nozzles, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic headlights, 8-way partially power-operated driver’s seat, and a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system with AM/FM audio with HD Radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard Car-Net system works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone apps. New standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and an automatic emergency braking feature that works at speeds below 18 mph.

Stepping up to the Alltrack SE adds a panoramic sunroof, keyless access with push-button start, and an upgraded infotainment system with 8-inch screen, aux-in, CD player (it’s in the glove box), an upgraded Car-Net Security & Service that adds more remote features via a smartphone app. Optional on the SE trim is the Driver Assistance and Appearance package that bundles adaptive front lights, lane-keeping system, parallel-parking assist, parking sensors, auto-dimming rearview mirror and 18-inch wheels. The top-line Alltrack SEL has all those features, plus 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate controls, Fender premium audio system, and a more robust infotainment system with navigation, active blind-spot system that can take evasive maneuvers, and adaptive cruise control.

The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack uses a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. For 2019, it’s tuned to make 168 horsepower, a slight but likely unnoticeable decrease of the 170 made in prior models. The Alltrack comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a dedicated off-road drive mode that optimizes this ruggedized wagon for off-highway traction. For the more adventurous, it also features hill-descent control, which works well to help the Alltrack slowly make its way down steeper ascents. For 2019, all Alltracks are fitted standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and it’s a joy to use. Nevertheless, most buyers will likely opt for the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, which also works quite well. The Alltrack has more power than a Subaru Crosstrek but less than an Outback, which also offers a 6-cylinder engine. Unlike the Outback, the Alltrack is not rated to tow. Though it has a turbo engine, the Alltrack is fine using regular unleaded gasoline instead of the pricier premium stuff.

1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4
168 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
199 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (manual), 22/30 mpg (automatic)