2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE
Many have taken a swing at Subaru’s groundbreaking, genre-defying Outback. VW might be the first mainstream brand to crack its DNA code.
As the German company seeks to reinvent itself post-dieselgate, crossovers and tall wagons like the Alltrack play a critical role. The Alltrack has the exterior accouterments down cold—faux skid plates, a 1.6-inch increase in ride height, silver skidplate-like cladding. Inside, it is pretty much a Golf SportWagen, which is no bad thing: good quality plastics, a supremely logical layout and fast, if basic, interface. Sized between the smaller Subies and the current Outback (yet priced like the latter), it makes a bold frontal assault on the Japanese company’s turf.
The Alltrack’s strongest weapons are its good dynamics; it has tactile, accurate steering that encourages back road exploration, better handling and ride quality than the Subaru, along with a willing, turbocharged engine with outputs of 177hp/190lb-ft. While there’s lag from a dead stop, once away it zips along smartly, the twin-clutch gearbox swapping its six ratios perfectly and giving 7-second 0-60mph acceleration, about two seconds faster than a 4-cylinder Outback with similar fuel economy—or the performance of the 6-cylinder Subaru with better fuel economy. Whichever way you look at it, its great for those who like the idea of an sporty, fireroad-rated AWD wagon or want an alternative to taller, worse handling SUVs.
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Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.
This article appears in the Winter 2016 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer. Subscribe today!
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