Quick Drive: 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

[William Maley]

Most wagon options in the U.S. fall under the slightly-lifted off-road category. The reason is quite simple as buyers like the looks and capability on offer when compared to standard wagons. Case in point is the latest member of the Golf family, the Alltrack. Volkswagen recently revealed that 75 percent of Golf SportWagens sold in the U.S. are Alltracks. We happen to be big fans of the Golf SportWagen as it builds upon many of strong points of the regular Golf by making it more practical. Can the Golf Alltrack do the same?

• The small changes made to the Golf Alltrack’s exterior help make it stand out somewhat. It begins with the slight 0.6-inch increase in ride height and a larger tire and wheel combination. Our SEL tester feature 18-inch wheels, while the S and SE make do with 17-inch wheels. Other exterior changes include new bumpers and lower body cladding.
• Volkswagen didn’t make any changes to the Alltrack’s interior which is a good thing. It retains the clean if a somewhat boring design that makes it easy to find the various controls. Build and material quality is very solid. 
• SEL models get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Volkswagen’s Car-Net infotainment system and navigation. We like how fast the system is with switching between various functions, physical shortcut buttons, and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Car-Net loses some points for low-resolution graphics and the navigation system looking very dated. 
• The seats are quite comfortable with excellent support and good bolstering to keep you planted when traversing down a winding road. Head and legroom are excellent in both rows of seats.
• A turbocharged 1.8L four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque provides the motivation for the Golf Alltrack. This is paired with a six-speed DSG transmission (a six-speed manual is available on the S and SE) and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Despite being about 300 pounds heavier than the SportWagen, the Alltrack doesn’t break a sweat. It feels just as fast as the SportWagen we drove last year with strong acceleration throughout the rpm band.
• The DSG still exhibits some sluggishness when leaving a stop, but improves when you’re up to speed with rapid and smooth shifts.
• Fuel economy is disappointing with EPA figures of 22 City/30 Highway/25 Combined. We saw an average of 25 MPG with a mix of 70 percent city and 30 percent highway driving.
• Ride and handling characteristics is much like the standard Golf and SportWagen. No matter the road surface, the Alltrack’s suspension was able to provide a comfortable ride. Around corners, the Alltrack does show a little bit of body roll. However, it feels as agile as the standard SportWagen and the steering is quick to respond to inputs.
• The Golf Alltrack begins at $25,850 for the base S with manual transmission. Our loaded SEL tester totaled $35,705 with the Driver Assistance and Light package. That’s a lot of money for a compact off-road wagon, especially considering you can get into a larger Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited with the excellent EyeSight active safety system for around the same money. If we were buying a Golf Alltrack, we would drop down to the S with the DSG and order the Driver Assistance package, bring the total price to just over $28,500.
• The Alltrack is a worthy addition to the Golf family as it provides something a bit more capable while retaining many of the plus points of the standard Golf. We do wish the DSG was smoother during low-speed driving and fuel economy was slightly better.

 

Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Golf Alltrack, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2017 
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Golf Alltrack
Trim: SEL
Engine: Turbocharged 1.8L TSI DOHC Four-Cylinder
Driveline: Six-Speed DSG, All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower @ RPM: 170 @ 4,500
Torque @ RPM: 199 @ 1,600
Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 22/30/25
Curb Weight: 3,351 lbs
Location of Manufacture: N/A
Base Price: $32,890
As Tested Price: $35,705 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge)

Options:
SEL Driver Assistance & Lighting Package - $1,995.00

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[Frisky Dingo]

All Alltracks get the same size screen for the infotainment. It's also 1.6" extra ground clearance. I personally think the SE is the sweet spot of the lineup, as it is with rest of the Golf lineup. There are some different bits on the interior in the way of trim, and it also gets the adjustable 'Drive Modes' from the GTI and R, as well.

Right now VW has 3k+ in incentives on remaining 2017 Alltracks. You can pick up a $32,000~ SE model w/ DSG for ~27K out the door before taxes.

[G. David Felt]

Very cool auto, reminds me of the AMC Eagles. An auto way ahead of it's time.

[ccap41]

I know it's me being a little picky but I with this had the GTI's engine to go with the rest of the car. It seems like a pretty sweet vehicle. 

There's actually one of those in that underground parking lot here at work as well. 

[ccap41]

9 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

~27K out the door before taxes.

I hate when dealerships word things like that.. It's not 27k out the door because taxes must be paid. It's just 27k with dealer fees. 

[Frisky Dingo]

7 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I hate when dealerships word things like that.. It's not 27k out the door because taxes must be paid. It's just 27k with dealer fees. 

Well, you don't pay taxes at the dealership, and the dealer has no way of knowing what your tax rate is when advertising pricing so.......

 

People complain about a lack of upfront pricing, but then complain about when it's upfront and accurate as possible, too. Nothing new there.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Well, you don't pay taxes at the dealership, and the dealer has no way of knowing what your tax rate is when advertising pricing so.......

 

Taxes are paid at the dealer, they get sent to the state, but sales tax is collected at the dealer..at least they were in Arizona. 

[Frisky Dingo]

2 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Taxes are paid at the dealer, they get sent to the state, but sales tax is collected at the dealer..at least they were in Arizona. 

It's a state by state deal. Missouri does not collect sales tax.

And even they did, it's still a stupid argument to make. Even if I know your sales tax rate, and I collect, I still don't know what your total sales tax will be. If you have a trade in and only sales tax on the difference, Idk what that amount is until we agree on figures. 

Literally NO facet of retail advertises the prices of their goods with taxes included. That's such an incredibly bogus argument.

[Robert Hall]

Obviously, the sale price on a car doesn't include taxes, fees, extras...everyone knows that. (in the US)

Edited November 22, 2017 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

13 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Well, you don't pay taxes at the dealership, and the dealer has no way of knowing what your tax rate is when advertising pricing so.......

 

People complain about a lack of upfront pricing, but then complain about when it's upfront and accurate as possible, too. Nothing new there.

In IL we pay taxes at dealerships. The internet should know your tax rate based on your license's address. The only reason I didn't pay taxes when I bought my Escape in MO was they said they don't do out of state taxes, which made sense. 

That's not the most accurate way of advertising, imo. If it wasn't a tens of thousands of dollars purchased it would make sense. Add a low 6% sales tax on that $27,000 vehicle as it's a $28,620 vehicle. 

They'll do registration but won't do taxes...

The best way to word that, imo, is "27k before taxes" or "27k before tax, title license" Not "out the door". It's a dealership type of thing to do. 

10 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Taxes are paid at the dealer, they get sent to the state, but sales tax is collected at the dealer..at least they were in Arizona. 

Same here in IL. 

5 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Literally NO facet of retail advertises the prices of their goods with taxes included. That's such an incredibly bogus argument.

And literally NO facet of retail advertises "out the door" pricing either. 

Dealerships are scammy and this is one reason why. 

5 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

And even they did, it's still a stupid argument to make. Even if I know your sales tax rate, and I collect, I still don't know what your total sales tax will be. If you have a trade in and only sales tax on the difference, Idk what that amount is until we agree on figures. 

Then it is also not 27k out the door if there's a trade-in so that's a stupid argument. 

A trade-in completely changes everything and an advertised price doesn't really mean a whole lot. 

Edited November 22, 2017 by ccap41

[Frisky Dingo]

9 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

In IL we pay taxes at dealerships. The internet should know your tax rate based on your license's address. The only reason I didn't pay taxes when I bought my Escape in MO was they said they don't do out of state taxes, which made sense. 

That's not the most accurate way of advertising, imo. If it wasn't a tens of thousands of dollars purchased it would make sense. Add a low 6% sales tax on that $27,000 vehicle as it's a $28,620 vehicle. 

They'll do registration but won't do taxes...

The best way to word that, imo, is "27k before taxes" or "27k before tax, title license" Not "out the door". It's a dealership type of thing to do. 

Same here in IL. 

And literally NO facet of retail advertises "out the door" pricing either. 

Dealerships are scammy and this is one reason why. 

Then it is also not 27k out the door if there's a trade-in so that's a stupid argument. 

A trade-in completely changes everything and an advertised price doesn't really mean a whole lot. 

 

Dealerships are required by law to provide disclaimers for TTL. In the dealer world, OTD just means all the fees that are necessary to complete the dealership transaction are accounted for. It's not scammy at all. It's just you choosing to be combative over a miniscule detail. Out the door- what you have to pay to walk out the door with the car. It's pretty self explanatory. Once you have done so, you can skip your sales tax, not pay your insurance, and refuse to pay your mortgage for all I care. That all has 0 to do with what you owe the dealer to take possession of the car.

 

And I even included ".....before taxes." in my original post. 

[ccap41]

It is scammy when there is a lot more cash required to drive the vehicle "out the door". Just because in the dealership world it means "you still have things to pay for" doesn't mean that's what it means for any other retail product you buy. 

I know you included "before taxes" and that's why it doesn't make any sense to word it that way to me.. Out the door before additional fees. 

What's another retail product that is advertised that way? 

[ykX]

43 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

It is scammy when there is a lot more cash required to drive the vehicle "out the door". Just because in the dealership world it means "you still have things to pay for" doesn't mean that's what it means for any other retail product you buy. 

I know you included "before taxes" and that's why it doesn't make any sense to word it that way to me.. Out the door before additional fees. 

What's another retail product that is advertised that way? 

Pretty much everything is advertised "before taxes" in the US.  All the prices are before taxes.

In Europe on the other hand taxes are included in the advertised price in most countries.

Now maybe we should get back to the car in question?

I think it would look much more attractive with optional more powerful engine.  Right now for $28.5k you can buy 2.5i Outback premium, which is bigger and have better awd system.

Edited November 22, 2017 by ykX

[ccap41]

20 minutes ago, ykX said:

Pretty much everything is advertised "before taxes" in the US.  All the prices are before taxes.

But not "out the door" because taxes are required. 

[William Maley]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

I know it's me being a little picky but I with this had the GTI's engine to go with the rest of the car. It seems like a pretty sweet vehicle. 

There's actually one of those in that underground parking lot here at work as well. 

I don't think that's being picky at all. I would like to have the GTI's motor in this as it would give it a little bit more oomph and might bump fuel economy.

[ccap41]

17 minutes ago, William Maley said:

I don't think that's being picky at all. I would like to have the GTI's motor in this as it would give it a little bit more oomph and might bump fuel economy.

Yeah, especially considering it's a little larger and higher off the ground with, assuming more suspension travel, eating that power a little more. So it still wouldn't be GTI quick but I think it'd be a more attractive package. 

[Frisky Dingo]

6 hours ago, ccap41 said:

But not "out the door" because taxes are required. 

 

Again, you're failing to acknowledge 2 things-

 

1) Not all states collect sales tax at the dealer. In MO, you DO NOT have to pay sales tax to drive away in a car. Point blank.

2) Even ignoring that, even if you DO have to pay sales tax to the dealer, it ISN'T a FIXED AMOUNT. 

I can't add an amount that I don't know what it is. Coming up with some fictional, completely arbitrary number just to appease consumers' skepticism and ignorance is scammy.

6 hours ago, William Maley said:

I don't think that's being picky at all. I would like to have the GTI's motor in this as it would give it a little bit more oomph and might bump fuel economy.

Just through a tune on it, and it will make GTI power. $500.

[G. David Felt]

8 hours ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Well, you don't pay taxes at the dealership, and the dealer has no way of knowing what your tax rate is when advertising pricing so.......

 

People complain about a lack of upfront pricing, but then complain about when it's upfront and accurate as possible, too. Nothing new there.

This is not true as every state is different, in Washington state, you pay all your taxes and fees at the time you buy your car, so an ad like this is deceptive and would not be allowed as taxes, fees, title, etc. can vary depending on the final agreed purchase price of the auto.

6 hours ago, ykX said:

Pretty much everything is advertised "before taxes" in the US.  All the prices are before taxes.

In Europe on the other hand taxes are included in the advertised price in most countries.

Now maybe we should get back to the car in question?

I think it would look much more attractive with optional more powerful engine.  Right now for $28.5k you can buy 2.5i Outback premium, which is bigger and have better awd system.

So you're saying in Europe prices are fixed, there is no dickering you just pay what they advertise?

Interesting, 

[ccap41]

On 11/22/2017 at 7:15 PM, dfelt said:

This is not true as every state is different, in Washington state, you pay all your taxes and fees at the time you buy your car, so an ad like this is deceptive and would not be allowed as taxes, fees, title, etc. can vary depending on the final agreed purchase price of the auto.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's somewhat deceptive advertising. 

[G. David Felt]

14 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's somewhat deceptive advertising. 

I like how here in Washington, state law was passed to keep deceptive advertising from happening. The dealerships advertise their MSRP price or the current discounted price from the OEM on the auto and state plus taxes, title and misc. fees. This way you know there is more than just the price advertised in regards to buying the auto.

Out the door ads suck as they are deceptive and if a person needs to stay in a set budget range and show up only to have an alternative and usually higher price, that can really screw up their budget if they get the normal car sales person pressure to buy. Plus they have wasted their time going to the dealer who deceived them anyway.

I know each their own on how they interpret the ads but I agree with you CCAP41.

[Frisky Dingo]

3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's somewhat deceptive advertising. 

 

2 hours ago, dfelt said:

I like how here in Washington, state law was passed to keep deceptive advertising from happening. The dealerships advertise their MSRP price or the current discounted price from the OEM on the auto and state plus taxes, title and misc. fees. This way you know there is more than just the price advertised in regards to buying the auto.

Out the door ads suck as they are deceptive and if a person needs to stay in a set budget range and show up only to have an alternative and usually higher price, that can really screw up their budget if they get the normal car sales person pressure to buy. Plus they have wasted their time going to the dealer who deceived them anyway.

I know each their own on how they interpret the ads but I agree with you CCAP41.

 

For the bajillionth time, all such ads will say this. It's required by law. Is reading comprehension a thing??

[G. David Felt]

18 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

 

 

For the bajillionth time, all such ads will say this. It's required by law. Is reading comprehension a thing??

Nope far from it, common sense is what is failing from ads like this. 

In a 30 second spot you cannot tell me that you or anyone else can actually read all that fine print. So having a ad that says out the door at $28,500.

These ads have ended up in the courts here in Washington state and lost every time as to why they are no longer allowed here. Many people do not read the fine print, do not have the common sense to read the details and only see as you state the Out the Door Price and expect that end of story.

As much as I hate government oversight and big brother watching, there is a case to be made to make sure businesses do not take advantage of the average citizen and abuse the marketing. Case in point is VW ABUSE of the Green Diesel Marketing that is costing them dearly.

What is required by law versus common sense and protection of the citizen are very much at odds to each other. Sadly we need to protect citizens from themselves as to why @CCAP41  and I believe these type of ads are deceptive and should be banned nationwide.

[Frisky Dingo]

27 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Nope far from it, common sense is what is failing from ads like this. 

In a 30 second spot you cannot tell me that you or anyone else can actually read all that fine print. So having a ad that says out the door at $28,500.

These ads have ended up in the courts here in Washington state and lost every time as to why they are no longer allowed here. Many people do not read the fine print, do not have the common sense to read the details and only see as you state the Out the Door Price and expect that end of story.

As much as I hate government oversight and big brother watching, there is a case to be made to make sure businesses do not take advantage of the average citizen and abuse the marketing. Case in point is VW ABUSE of the Green Diesel Marketing that is costing them dearly.

What is required by law versus common sense and protection of the citizen are very much at odds to each other. Sadly we need to protect citizens from themselves as to why @CCAP41  and I believe these type of ads are deceptive and should be banned nationwide.

 

 

Common sense is what is failing on the consumers' end.