Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 6/24/16. 2016 Volkswagen Golf Sportswagen test drive for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Fast facts
› Model: 2016 VW Golf SportWagen TSI SEL › Exterior color: Gray Metallic › Interior color: Titan Black › Engine: 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder › Horsepower: 170 › Transmission: six-speed automatic › Fuel economy: 35 mpg highway, 25 mpg city › Local Dealer: Village Volkswagen › Price (as tested): $32,695
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After test driving a long line of $50,000-to-$100,000 automobiles recently, it is the spunky little VW Golf SportWagen TSI SEL (only $32,685) that has turned out to be our favorite driving companion so far in 2016.
In our week together, the VW SportWagen welcomed me to the driveway each morning with its eager, puppy-dog face and made me smile with its stealthy performance.
Being old enough to remember the golden era of station wagons, I am not put off by low-to-the-road seating and smallish exterior dimensions that somehow seem to turn off some drivers weaned on hulking SUVs. Instead of mass for the masses, the SportWagen offers merriment for the multitudes.
With no disrespect to the Chattanooga-made (and family-friendly) Passat sedan, it's the smaller Golf that seems to be the best showcase for VW virtues; sweet-running small-displacement engines, German-tuned suspensions and functional, no-nonsense interiors.
The VW Golf SportWagen blends all the fun-to-drive virtues of a hot hatchback with an extended cargo area that's deceptively deep and spacious. The Sportwagen is about a foot longer than a regular Golf, which results in about 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the second-row seats. For comparison, that's about the same as the rear cargo area of the Cadillac XT5 SUV.
Assembled in Mexico, the SportWagen comes in three trim levels, S, SE and SEL, and starts at $21,625 in base trim with a manual transmission. Our SEL tester has most of the available options, including advanced telematics and safety systems.
Jeremy Holsomback, general manger of Village VW in Chattanooga, reports that the dealership has five Golf SportWagens in stock. They all qualify for a current VW "employee pricing" promotion that offers the vehicles at $500 below the dealer invoice price.
STYLING AND FEATURES
The exterior design is simple and clean, although attractive 18-inch wheels do hint at sporty intentions. The face of the SportWagen is generic VW. Crisp character lines mark the door panels, while the rear third of the wagon tapers into a small hatch that opens by depressing the VW emblem in the center.
Inside, the design is uncluttered. Instruments are simple, although the fonts are a bit small for our eyes. A 7-inch touch screen displays navigation functions, audio settings and mobile phone apps that function through Apple's CarPlay interface and Adroid Auto.
The leatherette seats feel just as good as real leather, and the cushioning is firm. We found the side bolsters to be a bit tight, which might become an issue for larger drivers. Dials and switches are small but intuitive. The steering wheel is not as beefy as most, but has nice balance and a gripable leather covering. The driver's side seat has electronic controls but the passenger seat has manual adjustments.
Most SportWagens, like our tester, feature a panoramic sunroof that illuminates the entire cabin. Other nice features include fog lamps, heated front seats, a Fender audio system, ambient interior lighting and keyless access with push-button start.
A $1,495 diver assist package includes adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane departure warning.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The ride quality of the SportWagen is excellent and the car has good acceleration throughout its power band. Highway driving is especially rewarding, and the Golf wagon tracks straight and true.
The Sportwagen features a silky, 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that makes 170 horsepower. That may not sound like much, but the little four-cylinder can launch the SportWagen from zero-to-60 miles per hour in 7.8 seconds.
Our daily commute up and down Signal Mountain was a blast, as the SportWagen attacked the curves of the W road with a precision you might expect from a luxury sports car. The high-revving engine was more than up to the challenge of climbing our mountain roads.
Seating position and visibility is first rate and the expansive cargo area is great for carpooling sports-minded children. Back-seat leg room is adequate for the class.
Our tester gets 35 mpg highway and 29 mpg city, and takes regular gas.
It's hard to imagine a more appealing small wagon than the Golf SportWagen. More small-SUV shoppers should give it a shot.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOL UMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/ mkennedycolumnist.