Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is a five-door estate with AWD in every listed version, but the best choice depends on whether you prioritize economy, performance, a manual gearbox, or the newest specification. The seventh generation ran from September 2014 to October 2016 with six versions, followed by its restyling from November 2016 to August 2020 with five versions.

The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is a five-door estate with AWD in every listed version, but the best choice depends on whether you prioritize economy, performance, a manual gearbox, or the newest specification. The seventh generation ran from September 2014 to October 2016 with six versions, followed by its restyling from November 2016 to August 2020 with five versions. The eighth generation began in September 2020 and is represented by one version. Among models with measured performance, the eighth-generation 2.0 DSG is the quickest and most powerful at 200 hp, reaching 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. For lower combined consumption, the seventh-generation 1.6 MT and eighth-generation 2.0 DSG both return 4.8 L/100 km, although their performance differs substantially.

Generations and versions compared

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf Alltrack was offered from September 2014 through October 2016 as an Estate 5-door with six versions. Its range is the broadest here: three turbo-diesel choices and three turbo-gasoline choices, with outputs from 110 to 180 hp. Every version has AWD and a 6-speed gearbox, while kerb weights range from 1,528 to 1,584 kg. The generation also provides 175 mm of ground clearance and a 55-litre fuel tank across the range.

The seventh-generation restyling covered November 2016 through August 2020 and remained an Estate 5-door with five versions. It retained 150 and 184 hp diesel options and several 170 hp gasoline configurations. All have AWD and 6-speed transmissions. Compared with the earlier generation, the listed fuel-tank capacity fell from 55 to 50 litres, while ground clearance remained 175 mm. Kerb weight spans 1,520–1,584 kg.

The eighth generation started in September 2020 and is an Estate 5-door with one listed version, the 2.0 DSG. It combines a 200 hp turbo-diesel engine with 400 Nm, a 7-speed Robotic gearbox and AWD. Its kerb weight is 1,616 kg and gross weight is 2,120 kg. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack engine and gearbox specs

The eighth-generation 2.0 DSG produces approximately 101.6 hp per litre, the highest power density among the listed versions. The 180 hp seventh-generation 1.8 DSG follows at approximately 100.1 hp per litre. The restyled 184 hp 2.0 DSG develops approximately 93.5 hp per litre, while the 170 hp 1.8-litre versions produce approximately 94.5 hp per litre. The 150 hp 2.0-litre diesels make approximately 76.2 hp per litre, and the 1.6 MT produces approximately 68.8 hp per litre.

Buyers specifically seeking a Volkswagen Golf Alltrack manual transmission have several choices. The seventh generation offers the diesel 2.0 MT and 1.6 MT, plus the gasoline 1.8 MT. The restyled range offers the diesel 2.0 MT and gasoline 1.8 MT. One database detail requires attention: the earlier seventh-generation 2.0 DSG is labelled Manual with 6 speeds, despite its exact version name being 2.0 DSG.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack performance and mpg comparison

The eighth-generation 2.0 DSG is 0.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 7.8-second versions and has a top speed 10 km/h higher than the 219 km/h diesel alternatives. It combines that performance with 4.8 L/100 km, equalling the lowest combined consumption in the data.

The seventh-generation 1.6 MT also consumes 4.8 L/100 km combined and records the lowest measured CO₂ figure, 124 g/km. The trade-off is performance: its 12.1-second acceleration time is 5.0 seconds slower than the eighth-generation 2.0 DSG, and its 187 km/h top speed is 42 km/h lower.

Among versions with complete measurements, the seventh-generation 180 hp 1.8 DSG is the gasoline performance choice: 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h and 217 km/h. Its combined consumption of 6.6 L/100 km is 1.6 L/100 km higher than the 150 hp diesel 2.0 DSG and 1.8 L/100 km higher than the eighth-generation diesel 2.0 DSG.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack dimensions, weight and size

Exterior length and other body dimensions are not measured for any listed version. Wheel sizes are also not measured throughout the data.

Weight-to-power calculations clarify what each version offers. The eighth-generation 2.0 DSG carries approximately 8.1 kg per horsepower. The seventh-generation 180 hp 1.8 DSG carries approximately 8.6 kg per horsepower, and the restyled 184 hp 2.0 DSG carries approximately 8.6 kg per horsepower. At the other end, the 1.6 MT carries approximately 14.0 kg per horsepower, consistent with its slower measured acceleration.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack reliability and problems

Reliability ratings, failure records, repair costs and identified problems are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications therefore cannot establish whether a 2017, 2018 or 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is more reliable, nor can they support a claim that Manual or Robotic versions have fewer problems. A purchase decision on reliability requires condition and service-history information that is not measured here.

Which Volkswagen Golf Alltrack version should you buy?

For the strongest all-round numerical specification, choose the eighth-generation 2.0 DSG. Its 200 hp and 400 Nm exceed the restyled 184 hp diesel by 16 hp and 20 Nm. It is 0.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, reaches 10 km/h more at the top end, and uses 0.2 L/100 km less fuel combined. It is also 32 kg heavier and has a gross weight 40 kg higher.

For low fuel consumption with a manual gearbox, choose the seventh-generation 1.6 MT if its 12.1-second acceleration is acceptable. It matches the eighth-generation car’s 4.8 L/100 km combined figure and improves on the seventh-generation 2.0 MT by 0.1 L/100 km, but gives up 40 hp and 90 Nm.

For a better balance of manual control and diesel performance, the 2.0 MT offers 150 hp, 340 Nm, 8.9-second acceleration and 4.9 L/100 km combined in both the original and restyled seventh generation. Their performance, consumption and weight figures are identical; the numerical difference is tank capacity, with 55 litres before restyling and 50 litres after it.

For seventh-generation performance, the earlier 180 hp 1.8 DSG and the restyled 184 hp 2.0 DSG both reach 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The diesel has 100 Nm more torque, a top speed 2 km/h higher and combined consumption 1.6 L/100 km lower. The gasoline car is 32 kg lighter. On the listed numbers, the diesel is the more economical fast choice, while the gasoline version offers the lower kerb weight.

For buyers comparing restyled 170 hp gasoline cars, the 1.8 DSG at 1,537 kg is the only one with measured acceleration and top speed: 7.8 seconds and 217 km/h. It also records 6.7 L/100 km combined, versus 9.4 L/100 km for the 1,540 kg 1.8 DSG and 9.8 L/100 km for the 1.8 MT. Because the latter two lack measured performance figures, their acceleration cannot be compared reliably from this data alone.