Driven: Volkswagen Golf wagon arrives at $25,540

VOLKSWAGEN this week launches its new-generation Mk7 Golf wagon range from $25,540 plus on-road costs, $1550 more than the equivalent base hatch.

Longer, lower and wider than before courtesy of its lightweight ‘MQB’ architecture - the same as the current Golf hatch and Audi’s A3 - the new model will be available in local showrooms with three engines, each matched exclusively to a DSG dual-clutch automatic.

These engines are familiar from the hatch, meaning 90kW/200Nm and 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and a 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the latter of which uses just 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle.

The petrols come with the seven-speed DSG, while the diesel gets a six-speed unit. There is no manual option.

The new version can squeeze a massive 1620 litres of stuff into the cargo space with the rear seats 60:40 folded, or 605L with five passengers - more than a Honda CR-V. These figures are 135L and 100L more than the outgoing model, and a cargo cover comes standard.

The $25,540 starting price for the 90TSI makes the VW a little pricier than to key rivals, the (less powerful) Hyundai i30 Active automatic from $25,190 and the Holden Cruze Sportwagon automatic ($23,690).

It is also more expensive than its less well-known but more powerful sibling, the Skoda Octavia Ambition 103TSI from $24,340. Both vehicles share the same MQB platform.

However, unlike the entry (rear torsion-beam-equipped) Octavias, all Golf wagons come with all-round independent suspension: MacPherson front and four-link rear.

However, the new model is also $1450 cheaper to get into than the outgoing 90TSI Trendline wagon.

All Golf variants get alloy wheels, a multi-collision braking system, XDL torque vectoring system, seven airbags, Bluetooth phone and audio, a fatigue detector that monitors for erratic driver inputs and various sizes of touchscreen (5.8-inch on the base 90TSI).

All versions get the maximum ANCAP five-star safety rating.

The $29,290 Comfortline adds a rear-view camera, parking sensors front and rear, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, chrome roof rails and trays under the front seats.

The flagship Highlines, available with either of the more potent 103TSI and 110TDI engines, are priced at $33,840 and $36,340 respectively. Both add ambient cabin lighting, sports seats with Alcantara inserts, sat-nav, 17-inch alloys, fog lights with a cornering function and front LED reading lights.

Comfortline and Highline variants can be optioned with the $1500 Driver Assistance Package, adding radar-guided adaptive cruise control, autonomous low-speed brakes and robotic parking assist (Park Assist 2).

The Comfortline can also be optioned with sat-nav for $950, while the Highline can be optioned with a sunroof ($1850), Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime runners ($2150), leather seats ($2950) and an alarm ($600). Metallic paint costs $500 on all variants.

Volkswagen Australia will not divulge sales expectations, but the ratio of wagon to hatch sales will be relatively minimal. Fleets will be targetted more, as will prospective compact SUV buyers.

2014 Volkswagen Golf wagon pricing*

90TSI (a)	$25,540
90TSI Comfortline (a)	$29,290
103TSI Highline (a)	$33,840
110TDI (a)	$36,340

*Excludes on-road costs.