2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Road Test and Review

2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen exterior profile ・ Photo by Volkswagen

If your life seems to have gone through a growth spurt lately and you fear you may have outgrown your trusty little hatch, you may be looking towards the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen as the most logical next step. The great news is that the Golf SportWagen is the exact same Volkswagen Golf that many know and love, but with more cargo space. Even better news, folks who are reluctant to cross into to the compact crossover segment won’t need to sacrifice the zippy feel of a compact car on the road with SportWagen keys in hand. With stylish exterior looks and a sophisticated interior cabin, the Golf SportWagen is a compelling choice that shatters all stereotypes of a traditional station wagon.

Models and Pricing

With 4 models to choose from, the Golf SportWagen can start as low as $21,625. All models come standard with a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The lowest-level S model feels anything but base; with a leather steering wheel, rearview camera and Volkswagen’s VW Car-Net® App-Connect (allowing for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility), there are plenty of desirable, modern features to be found. A step up puts you in the Limited Edition; with an 6-speed automatic transmission and impressive standard features like keyless entry, push button start, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a panoramic sunroof, it starts at $24,995. Next up is the SE model with an upgraded Fender audio system, starting at $27,025.

Finally, at the top of the lineup is the sporty SEL model, which starts at $29,385 and adds sport seats and 18-inch wheels. With all the top-tier finishes and features that exceed what you’d normally expect of a car in this class, it truly feels like a premium vehicle, both inside the cabin and on the road.

Photo by Volkswagen

An alternative to the compact crossover.

One of the SportWagen’s biggest strengths is its ability to make its driver forget all that junk in the trunk, making it a smart choice for those who want more room to pack it in, but enjoy the experience behind the wheel of a car, not a crossover. If you’re used to driving smaller compacts like the original 5-door Golf hatch, a Ford Focus or even the Kia Forte5, you’ll find that the SportWagen still provides the agility and speed of those smaller hatches, despite its longer overall length. Fuel efficiency isn’t compromised much, either – the SportWagen averages 25 MPG city/35 MPG highway, which is just slightly below that of Golf hatchback that averages 25/37 MPG. It’s worth mentioning that more direct competitors like the Subaru Outback and Audi allroad offer AWD and the 2016 Golf SportWagen does not. However, the newer 2017 Golf SportWagen Alltrak will offer it, along with features more suited for the off-road set.

Photo by Volkswagen

How much more space do you really get?

Everybody knows that a hatchback yields more available cargo space, but the SportWagen exceeds even the most generous of offerings of any compact car’s hatch or trunk. When the second row is in use, 30.4 cubic feet is available in back, which is considerably more than the original Golf at 22.8 cu ft. Even the Toyota Camry, a larger midsize sedan, offers just 15.4 cu. ft. When all the seats are folded, the SportWagen has 66.5 cu.ft. available, which is less than the 70.9 cu.ft. the Honda CR-V offers or the 73.4 cu.ft. found in the Toyota RAV4. However, cargo capacities in the SportWagen dwarf the Audi allroad’s max of 50.5 cu. ft., but are less than the Subaru Outback’s offerings at 73.3 cu ft.

Photo by Volkswagen

A More Mature Golf

Upon sitting inside the Golf SportWagen, it’s surprising to see so many interior treatments and advanced features that are usually reserved for the luxury brands. In a word, the interior of my SEL model was stunning. Ambient LED lighting ran along the door panels and throughout the interior, and coupled with the panoramic sunroof, large color display and 2-tone black and grey leatherette seating, I was almost convinced I was sitting inside of an Audi, not a VW. Nothing feels cheap inside this car; everything from the firm, supportive seating, smooth, nimble maneuvering, and solid road feel lends itself to a much more mature driving experience. In comparison, the low-tech vibe of the Subaru Outback and bland, plastic-trimmed surfaces of the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 make the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen all the more alluring.

Photo by Volkswagen

A Modern, Connected Car

The Golf SportWagen has a lot to offer when it comes to in-car technology. VW’s App-Connect integrates most of the functionality on your smartphone with the car, by way of Apple’s CarPlay or Android Auto. Additionally, further integration is available via MirrorLink, which offers similar support to non-Apple or Android smartphones, and is a very rare offering in most vehicles. Through CarPlay, Android Auto or MirrorLink, text message alerts appear on the car's display screen, with an option to be read aloud to you by the system and dictated to for replies. Calls can be made using voice commands as well, and online music services like Pandora, Spotify or iHeartRadio can be streamed. Popular navigation apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps) can be utilized in lieu of the wagon’s native navigation system. SportWagens equipped with the Car-Net® Security & Service system have other helpful features that can be accessed outside of the car. You can check to make sure you locked the doors or remind yourself where you’re parked using VW’s Car-Net app on your smartphone. For extra peace of mind when the kids borrow the car, you can activate the Family Guardian system to set speed and geo-boundaries. You'll receive notifications if either has been exceeded.

Photo by Volkswagen

Advanced Autonomous Features

The optional Driver Assistance package ($1,495) consists of advanced driver aides usually only available in some of the industry’s top luxury brands. I was most surprised to find that my SportWagen came with park assist, used to locate a parking space. Using its sensors, the system can assess if a spot is large enough for your vehicle, and will help you get it into the spot. Although I could control the acceleration and braking myself, I didn't find the feature intuitive enough to put my full trust in it on the first try. I did appreciate the park pilot sensors, which work with the park assist to let you know you if you are too close to the car parked ahead or behind you, but there is a learning curve associated with getting familiar with the park assist feature.

Also available, the autonomous emergency braking system works with the forward collision warning feature to brake and help stop the vehicle if necessary. And lane assist will actually take control of the steering wheel to keep you in the correct lane when the lane departure warning does not provide enough feedback for you.

Photo by Volkswagen

Family Friendliness

Being a station wagon ensures that the SportWagen is automatically a family-hauler, right? Not necessarily. When it comes to the SportWagen, the emphasis is really on “sport.” Things inside the cabin are sturdy enough to hold their own against the wear and tear family life can bring, but its sporty demeanor results in a tighter feeling inside than you might expect. Legroom was scarce for kiddos in the back when adults were seated up front. A day of busy errands and carpool worked fine when I was alone on mom-duty during the day, but when my husband joined us, the space in back immediately shrank as Dad adjusted his seating position. It’s not to say that families can’t enjoy the Golf SportWagen; smaller children in forward-facing safety seats and boosters will fare okay. But, be sure to take advantage of that light-colored leatherette interior to avoid noticeable scuffs on the seatbacks. Be advised that rear-facing infants in safety seats are a tight fit in the SportWagen, so you may want to wait until the kids are a little older before bringing the SportWagen into the family fold. Car seat installation is simplified by the SportWagen’s convenient access to latch anchors; the easy flip-up covers prevent having to dig deep into the seat to make the connection. Integrated sunshades in passenger windows are also a handy bonus and combat the sun's bright rays in the eyes of your mini backseat companions.

Photo by Volkswagen

Safety and ratings

The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen was a named a 2016 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, when equipped with the front crash prevention option (available on Limited models and higher). It also received a 5-Star Safety Rating in tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The car comes standard with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-pressure distribution and hydraulic brake assist.

Photo by Volkswagen

Final Thoughts

Overall, I found the 2016 Golf SportWagen exciting to drive, surprisingly well-equipped and quite family friendly, considering all the demands my family tends to put on a car when it comes to cargo space and tech compatibility. I was continuously impressed by the autonomous and safety features, which are normally associated with much more “luxurious” vehicles. The SportWagen felt expensive, competent and great on the road. Although the actual passenger room can feel tight at times, the versatility the SportWagen provides and the drive experience it delivers far outweigh any gripes I may have had. The SportWagen won’t be a perfect fit for everyone, but for those who are looking for a stylish and sporty alternative to the compact crossover, the Golf SportWagen just may be it.

Photo by Volkswagen