I was tempted to make this the shortest review I've ever written by simply saying: There is very little wrong with the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI to the point where my husband and I agreed that; yes, this would be our next car.
End of story.
Seems my boss wasn't too pleased with that idea, so I'll stretch it out a little.
If I'm willing to give a car a permanent spot in my driveway (and in the real world, not the fantasty world of Miranda-has-so-much-money-she-doesn't-know-what-to-do-with-it-except-buy-lots-of-crazy-cars), I think that says a great deal about the car.
With a starting price just over the $30k mark, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI (in Highline trim) is no econobox car, but that's fine because it's not meant to be. This is a solid piece of kit that's both practical and a blast to drive.
You'll make excuses to go for a drive as often as possible if you hand over a coveted spot in your driveway for this V-dub.
Bangin' wagon
There's something alluring about a station wagon, especially the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI. It's not aggressive or intimidating in any way, shape or form, but it's purposeful. It has a look about it that says, “Yup, I'll get that done. Don't you worry.” And I adore that. Smooth edges and simple lines ensure the VW Golf Wagon maintains a straightforward, classic look from nose to elongated tail.
In Highline trim, the 2013 VW Golf Wagon TDI sports 17” alloy wheels and stylishly functional fogs. In Candy White paint, I particularly like the look of the black roof rails and chrome-accented black front grille as they give the vehicle a black-tie appeal.
Despite all the sophistication, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI isn't without a bit of personality with slightly angled headlights that give the wagon an “I dare you” look that lets you know this family-hauler means business.
High-class Highline
In Highline trim, the 2013 VW Golf Wagon TDI is decked out in leather duds with all the fixings. Comfortable seats, ideal for long road trips, are housed up front and in the back. I particularly like the feel and look of the steering wheel in this Volks; it's just fat enough to be comfy with the right amount of buttons in just the right places. Driving position is comfortable and visibility is great all around.
As for onboard entertainment, I've never been a big fan of Volkswagen's touchscreen setup, it can be laggy and not so user-friendly at times. However, the simple layout of the middle console and driver instrument cluster is a welcome change to the now-norm of multiple LCD screens, graphics, colours and hooplah. It might seem plain to some, but sometimes keeping a low profile is better.
DSG, yes please
I've left this till the very end because I'm afraid I'm going to gush so much over the engine and transmission that you'll think VW has bought me out. Trust me, they haven't. It's just that good.
Decked out with a 2.0L 4-cylinder, turbocharged fuel sipping engine, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI is good for 140 horses and 236 lb-ft of glorious diesel-driven toque. And that really is the heart of the driving matter with it comes to TDI: all that torque. It's so much get-up-and-go that you'll want to get up and go as often as possible – and you won't suffer at the pumps for all that driving pleasure.
Over the course of the week I drove approximately 800km, after 700 I still had a little over 1/4 tank left. I was not driving conservatively, nor was I trying to bring my gas mileage down. My average over the week hovered in the 6.9L/100km range.
Add to all that fantastic turboed dieselness Volkswagen's sequential automatic 6-speed DSG transmission and I'm going to have to stop for a moment to find a few more adjectives. Shifts happen so quickly and so flawlessly with the DSG dual-clutch ‘box, that it truly is worth the extra $1,400.
Driving dynamics in the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI offer a somewhat sporty feel, despite the large rear it sports. Steering is precise and connected, and even with FWD the Golf felt stable and planted on the road even in cold and snowy conditions.
All the room you need
Of course, this is a review about a wagon, so I have to talk a bit about the cargo space, of which there is plenty. With a baby seat installed behind the front passenger seat, there was still plenty of room. And the trunk (which offers 930 litres) easily swallowed up a stroller, plus bags packed for a weekend with the grandparents.
This 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.
End of story.
Seems my boss wasn't too pleased with that idea, so I'll stretch it out a little.
If I'm willing to give a car a permanent spot in my driveway (and in the real world, not the fantasty world of Miranda-has-so-much-money-she-doesn't-know-what-to-do-with-it-except-buy-lots-of-crazy-cars), I think that says a great deal about the car.
With a starting price just over the $30k mark, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI (in Highline trim) is no econobox car, but that's fine because it's not meant to be. This is a solid piece of kit that's both practical and a blast to drive.
You'll make excuses to go for a drive as often as possible if you hand over a coveted spot in your driveway for this V-dub.
Bangin' wagon
There's something alluring about a station wagon, especially the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI. It's not aggressive or intimidating in any way, shape or form, but it's purposeful. It has a look about it that says, “Yup, I'll get that done. Don't you worry.” And I adore that. Smooth edges and simple lines ensure the VW Golf Wagon maintains a straightforward, classic look from nose to elongated tail.
In Highline trim, the 2013 VW Golf Wagon TDI sports 17” alloy wheels and stylishly functional fogs. In Candy White paint, I particularly like the look of the black roof rails and chrome-accented black front grille as they give the vehicle a black-tie appeal.
Despite all the sophistication, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI isn't without a bit of personality with slightly angled headlights that give the wagon an “I dare you” look that lets you know this family-hauler means business.
High-class Highline
In Highline trim, the 2013 VW Golf Wagon TDI is decked out in leather duds with all the fixings. Comfortable seats, ideal for long road trips, are housed up front and in the back. I particularly like the feel and look of the steering wheel in this Volks; it's just fat enough to be comfy with the right amount of buttons in just the right places. Driving position is comfortable and visibility is great all around.
As for onboard entertainment, I've never been a big fan of Volkswagen's touchscreen setup, it can be laggy and not so user-friendly at times. However, the simple layout of the middle console and driver instrument cluster is a welcome change to the now-norm of multiple LCD screens, graphics, colours and hooplah. It might seem plain to some, but sometimes keeping a low profile is better.
DSG, yes please
I've left this till the very end because I'm afraid I'm going to gush so much over the engine and transmission that you'll think VW has bought me out. Trust me, they haven't. It's just that good.
Decked out with a 2.0L 4-cylinder, turbocharged fuel sipping engine, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI is good for 140 horses and 236 lb-ft of glorious diesel-driven toque. And that really is the heart of the driving matter with it comes to TDI: all that torque. It's so much get-up-and-go that you'll want to get up and go as often as possible – and you won't suffer at the pumps for all that driving pleasure.
Over the course of the week I drove approximately 800km, after 700 I still had a little over 1/4 tank left. I was not driving conservatively, nor was I trying to bring my gas mileage down. My average over the week hovered in the 6.9L/100km range.
Add to all that fantastic turboed dieselness Volkswagen's sequential automatic 6-speed DSG transmission and I'm going to have to stop for a moment to find a few more adjectives. Shifts happen so quickly and so flawlessly with the DSG dual-clutch ‘box, that it truly is worth the extra $1,400.
Driving dynamics in the 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI offer a somewhat sporty feel, despite the large rear it sports. Steering is precise and connected, and even with FWD the Golf felt stable and planted on the road even in cold and snowy conditions.
All the room you need
Of course, this is a review about a wagon, so I have to talk a bit about the cargo space, of which there is plenty. With a baby seat installed behind the front passenger seat, there was still plenty of room. And the trunk (which offers 930 litres) easily swallowed up a stroller, plus bags packed for a weekend with the grandparents.
This 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.
2013 Volkswagen golf TDI Highline
2013 Volkswagen golf TDI Highline
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