Whoever edited this video did a very good job, it flowed nicely and it was great to have both stories developing at the same time. The jumps between the track and highway made sense and allowed the viewer to recognize the change. Camera angles were interesting too (in a good way). Keep up the good work tfl!
Completely agree with your comment regarding the editing and storytelling of this review. I've watched some of your other reviews, and I didn't like them nearly as much as I like this one. It might be because you like this car so much, but this one was very good.
I so want one of these. A wagon with cargo space for toting around my large collectibles? Check. Great fuel mileage? Check. Manual transmission available even on the SEL trim? Praise Germany!
I have an Audi A3 TDI with the same engine as this thing. I love that 236-lb-ft of torque! It really makes the car feel eager to run, even if it can't run very fast.
I just bought a new 2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI a couple of months ago, and I love it a lot. My last car was an MB 350 4 wheel drive, and I'm so glad that I switched. This VW is fun to drive, and the MB wasn't, but I've owned MB's in the past that were.
As always , great review. I spend a lot of time in Germany, and these "wagons" are very popular. Why they are not in America , I don't know. I saw a Passat wagon that was brilliant. No more Audi A3 Avant, so this is pretty much it. Great car, great review.
Just bought a 2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI S trim. I love it so far, and I average about the same 48 mpg hwy. I noticed you guys didn't use the paddle shifters on the track or the 0-60. I think those times could be improved if you stayed in the turbo range just a bit longer. Great review and well detailed. Good job TFL
I very much enjoyed this review. You guys covered all the bases, from the practical stuff like storage space and fuel economy to the more enthusiast oriented stuff like 0-60 times and handling. I would love to see more content like this. Also, am I the only one who kind of liked how the engine sounded from inside the car? From the outside it wasn't much, but inside I liked it.
As a support of yours through Patreon, I want to say thank you for this review. This type of in depth look at cars/trucks is what attracted me to your videos years ago. Please keep this type of review coming. Climbing up mountains is entertaining but very lacking in useful daily driver information.
nice review Nathan, I like the mpg test, real world is always better than what you read in the speck sheet, one thing I would have like to see is the track timing, I know it is not a sports car but for a family with only one car, dad will have to use it as a sports car :)
You left out one important negative about the 2015 Sportwagen TDI. It no longer uses the independent rear suspension that the last generation had. Furthermore, the 2015 gas model does use an IRS but the diesel does not. It is something to consider when deciding which engine model to buy.
Yes I want more in-depth reviews, keep em coming The shorter ones are fine but I don't like getting to the end and of them and not getting a review score. There's been lots of firstlook/previews where you say you'll have to wait to get it to the track but then I never see those reviews.
I'm into this style of review, the more time you spend with the car the more I believe what you have to say about it. Haha it might sound silly put like that but reviews come a dime a dozen now days. And it seems its all impressions, you guys put a hundred miles on that thing and the observations seem way clearer than when you show up at a media event and don't have a moment to get over all the excitement. So Keep them coming. Thx.
Great review! I appreciate all the details, tests, and information provided. Plus I always appreciate Nathan's energy and passion in what he does, as well as his humor. Thanks again TFL Car for providing great insight into cars!
The older Mk6 Golf and JSW TDI have fully independent rear suspension all around, and the Golf is assembled in Germany, the JSW is assembled in the Puebla, MX The Mk7+ has a twist beam rear axle as they needed the room for the DEF tank, and both Golf and GSW are assembled in Puebla Just interesting bits of trivia...
I like this review much better than the short reviews. I still miss about your reviews how vehicles handle bumpy roads or unexpected holes on roads. Overall, really good review.
9 лет назад+1
This new style of review is really cool. Please keep that!
Glad I snatched my pristine 2013 A3 TDI on the cheap when everyone was giving them back after Dieselgate. Just sent Kerma TDI my stock user file and waiting for them to send back the tuned file. From Dork-mobile to Torque-mobile!
Enjoyed the longer review. Like that you took it for a real world gas mileage review as well. Looking at the Golf Sportwagon (in Canada) as my next vehicle due to the extra utility. Though I am thinking of going with the 1.8L turbo because I do mostly city driving.
On my 2013 Sportwagen, I manage to achieve between 35-38 mpg on average (per tank.) That is with 60/40 highway to city and with a roof rack, and very sticky rubber. I find that the computer, though, is usually more generous than the actual mpg numbers...maybe be 10%. Oh ! and that's in hilly San Diego area
Excellent review! Keep them detailed as I am shopping this car! As you just did, I really like the handling and MPG test, not to mention the 0-60. Very entertaining video!
Make more of these videos! As i'm living in Germany, we've got an Golf GTD, which means 184hp, a lot more torque and a speaker in the exhaust that is producing a sort of v8 exhaust note Would love to see, what the Dodge Charger Hellcat mpg ratings on the highway would get :D
I really like the untimed track lap to get more of a real world city driving feel. I live in a city with TONS of roundabouts and it’s the favorite of my drives in my little Honda Fit. I am (over) due for a new car so that I quit embarrassing my kids when I take them places in my Fit and this one is on my short list. Although the TSI and not TDI. Thanks for the great review.
I would love more of this format. I have 2009 miles on my 2015 Sportwagen, so far I pretty much love it. I'm taking about a 10,000 mile west coast trip in a few months so I'll know more soon enough. Route: Texas. Austin, San Antonio, Fort Stockton, Guadalupe Mountains National Park. New Mexico. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Santa Fe, Albuquerque. Arizona. Flagstaff, Grand Canyon. Nevada. Las Vegas. California. Death Valley National Park, Sequoia National Forest, Bakersfield to Coast highway. San Luis Obispo, then up the Coast highway to San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, back to I-5. Oregon. Eugene, Springfield, Portland. Washington. Vancouver, Tacoma, Seattle. Canada. Vancouver, Banff National Park. Washington. Back to Seattle. Montana. Glacier National Park. Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park. Idaho. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. Utah. Salt Lake City. Colorado. Denver, Pike's peak. New Mexico.. Texas. Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, Fredericksburg, San Antonio. Austin. I averaged 50.8 mpg (trip computer) going from Austin to Dallas at between 70-75 mph. Around town its about 28-30 mpg, which seems like a huge variance to me.
I own this car except with a 6 spd MT. I can honestly say it's as great a car today as it was 2.5 years ago. Interior has stood up very well. The pleather is surprisingly comfortable and easy to maintain. It's a perfect balance between fun to drive (18" summer wheels and tires anyone?) and comfortable to travel in for long distances. Make fun of the looks all you want but I'm betting it will hold up better than all this swoopy crap that's so popular now. Oh yeah.....and the MPG!!
I don't understand why this isn't called the Jetta Sportwagen. The Golf and the GTI are considered "hatchbacks" because they are shorter than the Jetta sedan it is based on. The Jetta wagon is such because it is longer than the sedan. Great review as always guys.
What a dream car. Tons of space, great gas mileage, wonderful handling, good looks, and fairly decent price. I like the spot for the rear cover too, so convenient. This car goes on my list of cars to replace my 2008 Nissan Rogue, so many advantages, until they jack up the price on diesel, but right now it's running about a buck cheaper than gas here in So Cal.
+Theodore Marakas LOL, honestly though, the Rogue has given me zero problems besides regular maintenance, and I have about 94,000 miles on it. I use it to carry fishing gear as well as commuting, so gas mileage is far more important to me than performance. Although the lack of a USB connector is a negative, although not a deal breaker for me, as I'm getting older I would like some more of those digital nannies that will keep me from moving into someone else's lane or hitting them from behind. Still, there are so many positives to a wagon, including the fact that you can wash it easier than a CUV. The big sunroof is probably not something that important to me, I have one on the Rogue and barely use it. Not sure why fewer companies make station wagons nowadays. I mean I can see why minivans are looked down upon, but wagons give up very little in performance over a sedan yet you get lots of space in return!
The Fast Lane Car You guys should compare the 1.8t. Or maybe just do an mpg run to see if the TDI is worth the extra money since the only reason for buying it is fuel economy.
Keep up the long reviews and small ones as well. Sometimes it's nice to have a more comprehensive review, and longer too, so I can concentrate on my snacks instead of reaching to play a new video. But short reviews have their advantages I'm guessing. Also, as a Mexican who loves German cars, keep up the jokes haha Not because they are kinda funny, but because I like to hear the word enchilada
First, I like the longer reviews. I learn more about the cars this way. But I do miss the constant wit and wisdom from the quicker reviews. Please keep both coming our ways. Second, after a hundred miles, the difference between 46 and 48.52 miles per gallon is about a tenth of a gallon of fuel. I have no problem believing that there is that much difference in the beginning and ending levels at fillup. I tend to feel the most important thing you proved here is that you do a good job of filling the tank to the same level.
I own a 2015 like the test vehicle. Hard acceleration requires you not floor the car immediately. Push down almost to the floor and wait for the turbo to spool up then floor it. More like squeezing the pedal rather then stapping on it. I usually get 47-49 MPH Highway and 36 city.
In the 0-60 mph test the car might have accelerated faster by shifting gears a bit earlier - you can actually hear the engine struggling for the last few hundred rpms in each gear and then resuming its pace as the transmission shifts up.
How did you do a “review” on this car and not mention the Jetta sportwagon that it replaced it’s just a slight face lift with a different name but you kept comparing it to a golf
Aaron Fink 48 MPG isn't that impressive for a diesel. 40+ MPG is actually pretty common to see in gas 4 cylinder cars, even in larger cars like an Accord 4 cylinder, Mazda 6 or even RWD cars like a BMW 3 series. I recently made a trip from LA San Diego in a previous generation Mazda 3 and returned 43 MPG at an average of 71 MPH. I'd imagine the newer one to be even better.
Geragosian My point was that 48 mpg is impressive for a brand new, tight engine and given the speed. MPG dips significantly at these higher speeds, so 5 mph will make a difference. Also, the payload of 3 big guys is going to hurt fuel economy. I own a 2013 Accord 4 cylinder and that car at 70 on flat terrain will knock down 38-39 mpg. At 75, that drops to around 34-35, so 10%. I would expect this TDI to have no problem getting well into the 50's with less payload and more miles on the clock. Thus, I think these test results are impressive given the circumstances.
Aaron Fink With the way modern cars are built, mechanical run-in is much less significant, especially for diesels and turbo gas engines. What can significantly impact mileage is the vehicle's maintenance and condition as a vehicle gets older, even in a 1 or 2 year old car. Tire condition, fuel quality, when the nect fuel servicing is due, too little highway driving, etc. all can impact mileage significantly, making it harder for a car to run optimally. In fact, I've seen cars lose 10% efficiency in just a year of driving due to carbon build up. It's hard to compare a brand new car to a car that's 2 or 3 years old. Also, diesels are very tricky. 48 mpg sounds great, but DPF systems and diesel EGR cause mileage to vary wildly. You shouldn't take 48 mpg as what you will likely see consistently in your day-to-day highway driving. In reality, all mileage testing for all vehicles isn't solid. That's why "Your mileage may vary" is always stressed.
Aaron Fink I've driven many Accord 4 cylinders, even the last generation, and I've always been able to get near or better than 40 MPG out on the open highway. I'm not saying what you say is untrue, but there are many variables.
***** The problem with diesel is that it can't just be better, it has to be way better to justify the premium. With gas prices being $.50+ less on average in the US, with the added cost of DEF, with the higher upfront cost, and with the high cost of repairing a diesel, etc., it's not good enough to only get 4 or 5 MPG better than most gas compact cars.
Only just watched this, and loved it, in fact I'm just about to buy one, but the highline version. In Australia they are not called a sportwagon btw. I'm going for the fully spec version with the r-line sports package. My current Mk6 is has the sports pack, but the r-line version looks heaps cooler, at least from my view. Love the fact that the US version of the TDI has a urea filling cap, we don't have that in Australia, just a particulate filter.
I think this is a kick ass vehicle. I just wish it could look more like a Mazda3 hatch or Elantra GT. The exterior is not sexy. It is kind of boring, not ugly. But I like the what they have done here. It is such an intriguing car. I love diesels.
I went to the vw dealer yesterday and sat in the golf sport wagon. When I got in I hit my head on the roof, It just seems small on the inside to me. I was excited to hear about the all wheel drive that is coming out in this model but the car seems small inside. I am 6 ft tall so maybe that should be expected. I also wish that vw would do away with the timing belt setup and also it has exhaust fluid to add to it which is another expense to drive this car.
Pureservice That's odd. I'm 6'1" and have a long torso and short calves and didn't find a shortage of headroom. I found a shortage of shoulder room. I liked the quality of materials though.
Pureservice you can adjust the seat cushion to go lower so your not as up in the car. Its a wierd thing in new cars that ive noticed. I always hate it when i go to car washes and they lower my seat so it feels like im a small grandma driving a big car.
PHGamer I can't stand that either. Their only going to be in the car for a minute. They never clean under the seats anyway. That's why I clean my own house. Why would I pay someone not to move the furniture. They never do.
Think longer reviews are the way to go. If people plan to use review in their purchasing consideration. A longer more detailed review when you plan 20-30k is helpful for them.
US high cost of diesel (higher taxes / lower production) really put a damper on excellent performing diesels like the Golf Sportwagen TDI. Living in the cold north, I assume I'd have to do antigelling agents all winter which pushes this excellent performing car out of the garage. Hate to say it. If I lived in a warmer state, I'd be buying one, but in 5 month tundra upstate NY, it doesn't quite work out.
I have one of these with a manual. It averages 50mpg around town and 55mpg when doing 75mph. I also don't prefer red cars because they are to showy. But Alabama fans like red vehicles so there are many more in Alabama than most everywhere else.
As a european - this car is exactly what a diesel family car is supposed to do - haul haul haul and sometimes fill it up with diesel.
I just did a 3500 mile trip in my 2010 TDI Jetta and averaged 51 mpg's at 70 mph. DIESEL BABY!
Shayne Wolfe before or after the dieselgate Fix?
@@JP-pl9mv Doesn't the fix reduce mpg's?
@@90FirstGenPGT yes, but you can use a Malone tune bro
@@JP-pl9mv sweet
You can get 51 mpg after tune if driving by yourself. Packed with 4 passengers and bags +AC gets 43-45 mpg, same as before tune.
Whoever edited this video did a very good job, it flowed nicely and it was great to have both stories developing at the same time. The jumps between the track and highway made sense and allowed the viewer to recognize the change. Camera angles were interesting too (in a good way). Keep up the good work tfl!
James Hill Thank you!
Completely agree with your comment regarding the editing and storytelling of this review. I've watched some of your other reviews, and I didn't like them nearly as much as I like this one. It might be because you like this car so much, but this one was very good.
This is much more interesting and relevant than short reviews.
Yes, I think doing 10-15min reviews is best
I so want one of these. A wagon with cargo space for toting around my large collectibles? Check. Great fuel mileage? Check. Manual transmission available even on the SEL trim? Praise Germany!
Really enjoyed the longer, detailed review! Length of about ~ 10 - 15 minutes is fantastic. Good content and informative!
Incredible fuel mileage for a wagon at the speed. Imagine the mileage without the dpf and egr.
Vw has been releasing modified tdi's in recent years. I'd love to see y'all bring in a "fixed" tdi and compare / review it.
I have an Audi A3 TDI with the same engine as this thing. I love that 236-lb-ft of torque! It really makes the car feel eager to run, even if it can't run very fast.
I just bought a new 2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI a couple of months ago, and I love it a lot.
My last car was an MB 350 4 wheel drive, and I'm so glad that I switched. This VW is fun
to drive, and the MB wasn't, but I've owned MB's in the past that were.
As always , great review. I spend a lot of time in Germany, and these "wagons" are very popular. Why they are not in America , I don't know. I saw a Passat wagon that was brilliant. No more Audi A3 Avant, so this is pretty much it. Great car, great review.
Just bought a 2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI S trim. I love it so far, and I average about the same 48 mpg hwy. I noticed you guys didn't use the paddle shifters on the track or the 0-60. I think those times could be improved if you stayed in the turbo range just a bit longer. Great review and well detailed. Good job TFL
Loved the longer review
I very much enjoyed this review. You guys covered all the bases, from the practical stuff like storage space and fuel economy to the more enthusiast oriented stuff like 0-60 times and handling. I would love to see more content like this.
Also, am I the only one who kind of liked how the engine sounded from inside the car? From the outside it wasn't much, but inside I liked it.
Excellent review. I think this format gives the viewer exactly what he wants. You are learning and improving. Nice job.
As a support of yours through Patreon, I want to say thank you for this review. This type of in depth look at cars/trucks is what attracted me to your videos years ago. Please keep this type of review coming. Climbing up mountains is entertaining but very lacking in useful daily driver information.
nice review Nathan, I like the mpg test, real world is always better than what you read in the speck sheet, one thing I would have like to see is the track timing, I know it is not a sports car but for a family with only one car, dad will have to use it as a sports car :)
Make more of this longer reviews. Its more information in a better way.
There was just something about this review that was awesome! Really liked it. Good job guys.
I think your longer reviews are fantastic! Keep them up!
You left out one important negative about the 2015 Sportwagen TDI. It no longer uses the independent rear suspension that the last generation had. Furthermore, the 2015 gas model does use an IRS but the diesel does not. It is something to consider when deciding which engine model to buy.
Yes I want more in-depth reviews, keep em coming The shorter ones are fine but I don't like getting to the end and of them and not getting a review score. There's been lots of firstlook/previews where you say you'll have to wait to get it to the track but then I never see those reviews.
I am impressed at how high the quality can be in these videos. Even if my notebook cant handle extreme HD
I'm into this style of review, the more time you spend with the car the more I believe what you have to say about it. Haha it might sound silly put like that but reviews come a dime a dozen now days. And it seems its all impressions, you guys put a hundred miles on that thing and the observations seem way clearer than when you show up at a media event and don't have a moment to get over all the excitement. So Keep them coming. Thx.
Great review! I appreciate all the details, tests, and information provided. Plus I always appreciate Nathan's energy and passion in what he does, as well as his humor. Thanks again TFL Car for providing great insight into cars!
The older Mk6 Golf and JSW TDI have fully independent rear suspension all around, and the Golf is assembled in Germany, the JSW is assembled in the Puebla, MX
The Mk7+ has a twist beam rear axle as they needed the room for the DEF tank, and both Golf and GSW are assembled in Puebla
Just interesting bits of trivia...
Just got my Golf Sportwagen TDI SEL 6/std, but in white. Absolutely blown away by it.
Longer videos are better, short ones are just like TV and TV is dying, so I hope you will do more of these longer ones!
Thanks for a realistic, nicely executed MPG test. You guys should do long-term tests.
I like this review much better than the short reviews. I still miss about your reviews how vehicles handle bumpy roads or unexpected holes on roads. Overall, really good review.
This new style of review is really cool. Please keep that!
Glad I snatched my pristine 2013 A3 TDI on the cheap when everyone was giving them back after Dieselgate. Just sent Kerma TDI my stock user file and waiting for them to send back the tuned file. From Dork-mobile to Torque-mobile!
Today is my birthday and you uploaded...a VW,well better this than nothing.
Enjoyed the longer review. Like that you took it for a real world gas mileage review as well. Looking at the Golf Sportwagon (in Canada) as my next vehicle due to the extra utility. Though I am thinking of going with the 1.8L turbo because I do mostly city driving.
You should definitely do more reviews like this. Great video.
On my 2013 Sportwagen, I manage to achieve between 35-38 mpg on average (per tank.) That is with 60/40 highway to city and with a roof rack, and very sticky rubber. I find that the computer, though, is usually more generous than the actual mpg numbers...maybe be 10%. Oh ! and that's in hilly San Diego area
Love the detailed review, can't get enough. Keep up the good work!
I prefer these kind of videos rather than the short ones
Excellent review! Keep them detailed as I am shopping this car! As you just did, I really like the handling and MPG test, not to mention the 0-60. Very entertaining video!
Make more of these videos! As i'm living in Germany, we've got an Golf GTD, which means 184hp, a lot more torque and a speaker in the exhaust that is producing a sort of v8 exhaust note
Would love to see, what the Dodge Charger Hellcat mpg ratings on the highway would get :D
I really like the untimed track lap to get more of a real world city driving feel. I live in a city with TONS of roundabouts and it’s the favorite of my drives in my little Honda Fit. I am (over) due for a new car so that I quit embarrassing my kids when I take them places in my Fit and this one is on my short list. Although the TSI and not TDI. Thanks for the great review.
I really like this new review style. it is detailed and good! thank you
You should do more reviews of average/economy cars!
I would love more of this format.
I have 2009 miles on my 2015 Sportwagen, so far I pretty much love it. I'm taking about a 10,000 mile west coast trip in a few months so I'll know more soon enough.
Route:
Texas. Austin, San Antonio, Fort Stockton, Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
New Mexico. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Santa Fe, Albuquerque.
Arizona. Flagstaff, Grand Canyon.
Nevada. Las Vegas.
California. Death Valley National Park, Sequoia National Forest, Bakersfield to Coast highway. San Luis Obispo, then up the Coast highway to San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, back to I-5.
Oregon. Eugene, Springfield, Portland.
Washington. Vancouver, Tacoma, Seattle.
Canada. Vancouver, Banff National Park.
Washington. Back to Seattle.
Montana. Glacier National Park.
Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park.
Idaho. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.
Utah. Salt Lake City.
Colorado. Denver, Pike's peak.
New Mexico..
Texas. Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, Fredericksburg, San Antonio. Austin.
I averaged 50.8 mpg (trip computer) going from Austin to Dallas at between 70-75 mph. Around town its about 28-30 mpg, which seems like a huge variance to me.
I own this car except with a 6 spd MT. I can honestly say it's as great a car today as it was 2.5 years ago. Interior has stood up very well. The pleather is surprisingly comfortable and easy to maintain. It's a perfect balance between fun to drive (18" summer wheels and tires anyone?) and comfortable to travel in for long distances.
Make fun of the looks all you want but I'm betting it will hold up better than all this swoopy crap that's so popular now.
Oh yeah.....and the MPG!!
I don't understand why this isn't called the Jetta Sportwagen. The Golf and the GTI are considered "hatchbacks" because they are shorter than the Jetta sedan it is based on. The Jetta wagon is such because it is longer than the sedan. Great review as always guys.
I wonder what the mpg is like now that all the TDIs have software updates to fix their emissions.
Not much difference. Just forced to use more DEF fluid.
Great review. I prefer the longer format. But with all of the chatter everywhere about the TDI I'd like to see more about the 1.8t.
What a dream car. Tons of space, great gas mileage, wonderful handling, good looks, and fairly decent price. I like the spot for the rear cover too, so convenient. This car goes on my list of cars to replace my 2008 Nissan Rogue, so many advantages, until they jack up the price on diesel, but right now it's running about a buck cheaper than gas here in So Cal.
+Theodore Marakas LOL, honestly though, the Rogue has given me zero problems besides regular maintenance, and I have about 94,000 miles on it. I use it to carry fishing gear as well as commuting, so gas mileage is far more important to me than performance. Although the lack of a USB connector is a negative, although not a deal breaker for me, as I'm getting older I would like some more of those digital nannies that will keep me from moving into someone else's lane or hitting them from behind.
Still, there are so many positives to a wagon, including the fact that you can wash it easier than a CUV. The big sunroof is probably not something that important to me, I have one on the Rogue and barely use it. Not sure why fewer companies make station wagons nowadays. I mean I can see why minivans are looked down upon, but wagons give up very little in performance over a sedan yet you get lots of space in return!
I liked the full length review. 👍
I liked the format of this video, love the Golf.
No mention of the AdBlue tank?
Love this report format! Please do more!!
Thanks for that full, good review! Yes, and I like that car...SportWagen.
I thought it was a great video, liked the detailed review.
Love these detailed reviews! MORE MORE MORE!!!
Brandon Friesen Glad you like it.
The Fast Lane Car You guys should compare the 1.8t. Or maybe just do an mpg run to see if the TDI is worth the extra money since the only reason for buying it is fuel economy.
Keep up the long reviews and small ones as well. Sometimes it's nice to have a more comprehensive review, and longer too, so I can concentrate on my snacks instead of reaching to play a new video. But short reviews have their advantages I'm guessing.
Also, as a Mexican who loves German cars, keep up the jokes haha
Not because they are kinda funny, but because I like to hear the word enchilada
Longer reviews are neat.
First, I like the longer reviews. I learn more about the cars this way. But I do miss the constant wit and wisdom from the quicker reviews. Please keep both coming our ways. Second, after a hundred miles, the difference between 46 and 48.52 miles per gallon is about a tenth of a gallon of fuel. I have no problem believing that there is that much difference in the beginning and ending levels at fillup. I tend to feel the most important thing you proved here is that you do a good job of filling the tank to the same level.
Joseph Peoples oh, and I like the golf wagon tdi. How roomy is it in the driver's seat? I'm a big son of a gun.
I bought a 2015 prius in january and while I love it, this gave me a little buyers remorse. :(
I own a 2015 like the test vehicle. Hard acceleration requires you not floor the car immediately. Push down almost to the floor and wait for the turbo to spool up then floor it. More like squeezing the pedal rather then stapping on it.
I usually get 47-49 MPH Highway and 36 city.
In the 0-60 mph test the car might have accelerated faster by shifting gears a bit earlier - you can actually hear the engine struggling for the last few hundred rpms in each gear and then resuming its pace as the transmission shifts up.
How did you do a “review” on this car and not mention the Jetta sportwagon that it replaced it’s just a slight face lift with a different name but you kept comparing it to a golf
Really like this review format.
Im a little late but I loved this type of review, covered literaly everything I needed to know in a short about of time
Should have no problem getting 50 mpg at 75 mpg once that engine is nicely worn in. I bet you could see 70 mpg on some 45-50 mph back roads.
Aaron Fink 48 MPG isn't that impressive for a diesel. 40+ MPG is actually pretty common to see in gas 4 cylinder cars, even in larger cars like an Accord 4 cylinder, Mazda 6 or even RWD cars like a BMW 3 series. I recently made a trip from LA San Diego in a previous generation Mazda 3 and returned 43 MPG at an average of 71 MPH. I'd imagine the newer one to be even better.
Geragosian My point was that 48 mpg is impressive for a brand new, tight engine and given the speed. MPG dips significantly at these higher speeds, so 5 mph will make a difference. Also, the payload of 3 big guys is going to hurt fuel economy.
I own a 2013 Accord 4 cylinder and that car at 70 on flat terrain will knock down 38-39 mpg. At 75, that drops to around 34-35, so 10%. I would expect this TDI to have no problem getting well into the 50's with less payload and more miles on the clock. Thus, I think these test results are impressive given the circumstances.
Aaron Fink With the way modern cars are built, mechanical run-in is much less significant, especially for diesels and turbo gas engines. What can significantly impact mileage is the vehicle's maintenance and condition as a vehicle gets older, even in a 1 or 2 year old car. Tire condition, fuel quality, when the nect fuel servicing is due, too little highway driving, etc. all can impact mileage significantly, making it harder for a car to run optimally. In fact, I've seen cars lose 10% efficiency in just a year of driving due to carbon build up. It's hard to compare a brand new car to a car that's 2 or 3 years old.
Also, diesels are very tricky. 48 mpg sounds great, but DPF systems and diesel EGR cause mileage to vary wildly. You shouldn't take 48 mpg as what you will likely see consistently in your day-to-day highway driving. In reality, all mileage testing for all vehicles isn't solid. That's why "Your mileage may vary" is always stressed.
Aaron Fink I've driven many Accord 4 cylinders, even the last generation, and I've always been able to get near or better than 40 MPG out on the open highway. I'm not saying what you say is untrue, but there are many variables.
*****
The problem with diesel is that it can't just be better, it has to be way better to justify the premium. With gas prices being $.50+ less on average in the US, with the added cost of DEF, with the higher upfront cost, and with the high cost of repairing a diesel, etc., it's not good enough to only get 4 or 5 MPG better than most gas compact cars.
I also like these longer reviews. Are you gonna do one on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma when it releases? I'd love to see a detailed review of it!
Mr. Atomic Blaster It's is likely, probably in the fall when it comes out. And don't be surprised for an Ike Gauntlet test as well.
Love the detailed review and the sense of humor
I like the detailed review!
Good review, thanks. I’m looking at a barely used 2015 just like this one (same color too, sorry). You’re helping me make my decision.
Awesome car and awesome review! Keep up the good work!
Longer reviews are better. Great job.
Awesome review, thank you. Truly appreciate the in depth review
Thank you Nathan, I’m thinking of getting one.
Great review!
Make more videos like this one!
It's very interesting.
Only just watched this, and loved it, in fact I'm just about to buy one, but the highline version. In Australia they are not called a sportwagon btw. I'm going for the fully spec version with the r-line sports package. My current Mk6 is has the sports pack, but the r-line version looks heaps cooler, at least from my view. Love the fact that the US version of the TDI has a urea filling cap, we don't have that in Australia, just a particulate filter.
Yes! More reviews like this!
Jeff Robertson Glad you like it.
Yes please...longer reviews!
9.5 only thing thing missing was a hot chic . awesome video
Yes I want more reviews like this
I think this is a kick ass vehicle. I just wish it could look more like a Mazda3 hatch or Elantra GT. The exterior is not sexy. It is kind of boring, not ugly. But I like the what they have done here. It is such an intriguing car. I love diesels.
Well, German cars are usually exactly what you described. They don't have risky designs. They tend to be subtle
I went to the vw dealer yesterday and sat in the golf sport wagon. When I got in I hit my head on the roof, It just seems small on the inside to me. I was excited to hear about the all wheel drive that is coming out in this model but the car seems small inside. I am 6 ft tall so maybe that should be expected. I also wish that vw would do away with the timing belt setup and also it has exhaust fluid to add to it which is another expense to drive this car.
Pureservice That's odd. I'm 6'1" and have a long torso and short calves and didn't find a shortage of headroom. I found a shortage of shoulder room. I liked the quality of materials though.
Pureservice you can adjust the seat cushion to go lower so your not as up in the car. Its a wierd thing in new cars that ive noticed. I always hate it when i go to car washes and they lower my seat so it feels like im a small grandma driving a big car.
PHGamer I can't stand that either. Their only going to be in the car for a minute. They never clean under the seats anyway.
That's why I clean my own house. Why would I pay someone not to move the furniture. They never do.
good format. needs more track footage
I like this format. Thanks!
Yes more !!!!!
love the in-depth vids
Think longer reviews are the way to go. If people plan to use review in their purchasing consideration. A longer more detailed review when you plan 20-30k is helpful for them.
Great review fellas, now the question is either go with the VW sportswagon tdi or the new upcoming 2016 toyota prius??
4WD/AWD version in the future?
Good stuff appreciated the extra details.
US high cost of diesel (higher taxes / lower production) really put a damper on excellent performing diesels like the Golf Sportwagen TDI. Living in the cold north, I assume I'd have to do antigelling agents all winter which pushes this excellent performing car out of the garage. Hate to say it.
If I lived in a warmer state, I'd be buying one, but in 5 month tundra upstate NY, it doesn't quite work out.
I thought your review was well done. I would like to see more reviews like this.
Now we just need the Golf GTD. I'd gladly own both.
48.53888 narrows up to 48.54, not 48.53.
Yes, more detailed reviews, please.
The turbo spools at low rpm. You dont so much feel the turbo kick in as you do feel torque in every gear 2k-3k as you accelerate
Best review eve!
Yes, I like this kind of review.
I have one of these with a manual. It averages 50mpg around town and 55mpg when doing 75mph. I also don't prefer red cars because they are to showy. But Alabama fans like red vehicles so there are many more in Alabama than most everywhere else.