2012 VW GOLF WAGON TDI: A perfect fit

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/02/2012 (5225 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We finally did it. Our beloved 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon is now in the hands of new owners, and our garage has a new permanent resident: a 2012 VW Golf Wagon TDI.

It took some time, but after a year of driving several crossover vehicles like the Toyota Venza, Subaru Outback, Ford Edge, and Mazda CX-7 (which came in a close second, by the way), we decided what we really wanted was a wagon. That goes against the grain of what most new vehicle shoppers look for–all-wheel drive and a higher seating position might top their lists–my wife Kirsten and I actually prefer something known as a ‘car’ which is only as big as it needs to be to do what is asked of it.

The Golf has grown in this latest generation and in Wagon form finds itself within spitting distance of providing the kind of space we’ve been used to with the Mazda. The 6 wagon had 953L of cargo volume behind the rear bench and 1,713L with the seat folded, and the Golf answers with 930L and 1,890L respectively.

It was some time before we seriously considered the Golf, mostly because I have had the luxury of getting various press cars literally dropped off at my door for a week-long test drive, and the Golf Wagon TDI hasn’t been one of them. In fact, Volkswagen is having trouble keeping up with consumer demand on these vehicles, so we don’t expect to see any in the press fleet in the foreseeable future.

That’s a good problem to have, though I’m sure dealers would be happy to have a bit more inventory on hand.

But I’m familiar with the 2.0-litre TDI (for turbocharged direct-injection) diesel engine under the hood of this Highline model (it’s also available on the mid-level Comfortline) because it has been a staple in VW’s car offerings since 2009. Clean, powerful, and efficient, it possesses none of the smell or smoke of diesel engines of yore. And while the diesel clatter has all but been eliminated, it does make itself heard if you roll down your windows and listen after a cold start.

The diesel produces a middling 140 hp, which seems light compared to the 220-hp V-6 that was in our last car. But what drivers feel in everyday driving at lower engine revs is torque, and the TDI serves up a heady 236 lb-ft of it between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. In comparison, the Mazda V-6 generated a peak 192 lb-ft and needed 5,000 revs on the tach to realize its full potential.

So while manufacturers routinely boast about horsepower output, just know that while those numbers will help zero-to-100 km/h and quarter mile times (and sales numbers), they’re rarely felt out in the real world. To Kirsten, the TDI feels every bit as powerful around town (if not quite as smooth) as our Mazda.

The TDI engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, another big reason that we chose the VW over larger crossovers. We both stalled it the first couple of times we drove it as we got used to the diesel’s throttle response, but since then it has been a joy.

With consumption rated at 6.7L/100 km in the city and 4.6 on the highway, the TDI theoretically comes close to matching the growing collection of hybrids on the market. In reality, though, it actually does better. Case in point: the TDI has simply spanked the Optima Hybrid I’ve been driving when it comes to city fuel consumption.

And when it comes to the open road, there’s simply no contest. We took a short road trip down to Fargo and achieved an average consumption of 5.8 L/100 km one way, and that was with the cruise control set at 125 km/h for a good chunk of the drive. It would be easy to see highway consumption closer to 5.0 on our lower-speed roads.

The Golf wagon’s passenger cabin and amenities are ultimately what sealed the deal for us in the end. VW has chosen class over pizzazz with the elegant simplicity of its interior design and selection of high-quality materials. And on top of what feels like a solid, premium car at its core, our $31,495 Highline model comes with a panoramic glass roof, leather upholstery, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, premium ten-speaker touch-screen audio with iPod interface, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Aside from the $1,400 DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission (which we did not select), there is only one option for the Highline and that’s the $890 navigation system. We opted for this, since not only is it one of the more affordable factory-installed units on the market, it also has a feature that can lead us to the nearest diesel station. This small but important feature eliminated one of Kirsten’s concerns about owning a diesel.

My main concern about owning a diesel was its ability to provide cabin heat during our cold winters. Because diesels are extremely efficient, there is less waste heat than is found with gassers, reducing the system’s ability to provide cabin heat. But the TDI’s powerful seat warmers and factory-installed auxiliary electric heater have simply eliminated those concerns.

Kirsten reported that it heated up just fine after being parked outside all day at -26 C. And trust me, if the car can keep my wife warm, it can keep anybody warm.

Also important to us is reliability, and to that end VW has made great strides since the last time we owned a VW product. At that time, VW was near the bottom of all brands in Consumer Reports’ five-year reliability ratings, where now the German brand is firmly mid-pack with the Golf being its strongest model.

This is truly a premium small car with a surprising ability to swallow people and cargo in a tidy package that’s entertaining to drive. For us, it fits perfectly.

THE SPECS

2012 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel DOHC four-cylinder with direct fuel injection

Power: 140 hp @ 4,000 rpm

Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm

Fuel requirement: ultra-low sulphur diesel

Transmission: six-speed manual with hill hold

Drivetrain: front-wheel drive

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multilink rear with stabilizer bars

Fuel Consumption: 6.7L/100 km city, 4.6 L/100 km highway

Length: 4,556 mm

Width: 1,781 mm

Height: 1,504 mm

Wheelbase: 2,578 mm

Base price (Comfortline TDI): $27,025

Base price (Highline TDI): $31,495 

Price as tested: $33,850 plus taxes