2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack vs 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Is it a crossover, or is it a station wagon? These modern family vehicles aren’t the wagons you’re used to seeing. Instead of offering dull looks and an uninspired feel, but a roomier cargo area, 20th century options are now somewhat sporty. In the sense that they are more prepared to accommodate your road trip adventures, rather than a spin around a track. Which one is best for you, though? Looking at the specs of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack vs 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, we think you’ll be surprised which one inspires you. Though the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is priced slightly below the 2018 VW Golf Alltrack, you’ll find obvious reasons for this. One is the fact that the model doesn’t have as potent of an engine option, coming in at 152 horsepower compared to the turbo in the Alltrack that offers 170 horsepower. Another is an issue of efficiency. The continuously variable transmission, an uncomfortable choice for some drivers, is the selection quoted when Subaru advertises fuel economy figures for the Crosstrek. Its standard manual transmission doesn’t receive nearly as impressive fuel consumption.

Interior space of the 2018 VW Golf Alltrack

When shopping for models like the Crosstrek or Alltrack, you have to consider what the draw is for these vehicles. Station wagons typically don’t offer much more passenger volume than compact to midsize cars, but they also don’t offer as much ride height as SUVs. So, what’s their purpose? The Golf Alltrack has earned high praise for driving much like its Golf counterpart. Which is to say it’s smooth and easy to maneuver into tight parking spots thanks to a low center of gravity. This driving dynamic makes both models convenient for everyday driving situations, plus the standard all-wheel drive allows for an even smoother feel during rough driving conditions or when cornering a little too quickly. Though still offering a car-like quality, since they are cars, the Crosstrek and Alltrack offer SUV-like cargo space. Note that the Crosstrek has slightly more passenger space as 100.9 cubic feet compared to 94.3 cubic feet in the Alltrack. Volkswagen more than makes up for this in its station wagon by increasing cargo space to an impressive 30.4 cubic feet compared to 20.8 cubic feet in the Crosstrek. With more space and more power, what else do you need to know about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack? The model comes in three trim levels, starting with the S. Standard features include heated front seats, automatic headlights, an off-road driving mode, power windows and locks and a 6.5-inch touchscreen sound system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink connectivity. Considering the 2018 VW Golf Alltrack? Stop by Karen Radley Volkswagen to take the model for a test drive.