Topic: Test Drive: 2012 VW Golf TDI wagon

[DKaz]

I loved this car until I got in one, it's sadly cramped in the back.

[Ace]

DKAZ,
I disagree,I find the sportwagon quite roomy, it has more than double the cargo space of the Golf hatchback(1890 litres).If you're accustomed to minivans, VW builds the Touran and Golf Plus

[kenm]

DKAZ,
I disagree,I find the sportwagon quite roomy, it has more than double the cargo space of the Golf hatchback(1890 litres).If you're accustomed to minivans, VW builds the Touran and Golf Plus

What's a Golf Plus?

[vdk]

A Golf minivan.

[airbalancer]

I loved this car until I got in one, it's sadly cramped in the back.

I agree,

[DKaz]

Oh don't get me wrong, it has lots of cargo space and the car feels fantastic at the front, but the back seat is cramped. My two and a half year old appreciates a little bit of legroom.

[tazcubed]

....the more likely replacement would be a used BMW 328i wagon. Only problem is they are tough to find with both a manual transmission and the sport package.

And have less cargo but more money, although at least leasing is a viable option with BMW's artificially high residuals.

The better performance, driving dynamics, fuel economy, and more amenities make up for the smaller interior, IMO.

I'd also consider a 5-series wagon, but they are even more difficult to find with a manual and are still pretty pricey. They are also not as sporty as I would like (though their straight line performance is fantastic in twin-turbo 535i guise).

Have you actually driven a 5-series wagon? Not as sporty compared to what exactly? I'd have gone with a manual myself, but needed an automatic to allow my wife to drive (and frankly, driving around Toronto highways with the dynamic cruise control has made commuting easy). Depending which buttons one presses, it's pretty much as capable as the sedan when pressed. Still, all said, I'm still waiting to find a decent handling wagon that also has a good build quality WITHOUT having to step into the crossover realm. It's a shame that Lexus gave up on the IS300 Sportcross and that Volvo no longer exports the V70R wagon to Canada. 

[OliverD]

Have you actually driven a 5-series wagon? Not as sporty compared to what exactly? I'd have gone with a manual myself, but needed an automatic to allow my wife to drive (and frankly, driving around Toronto highways with the dynamic cruise control has made commuting easy). Depending which buttons one presses, it's pretty much as capable as the sedan when pressed. Still, all said, I'm still waiting to find a decent handling wagon that also has a good build quality WITHOUT having to step into the crossover realm. It's a shame that Lexus gave up on the IS300 Sportcross and that Volvo no longer exports the V70R wagon to Canada. 

Yes, I've driven both a 2010 535i wagon automatic and a 2006 325i six-speed manual wagon, both without the sport package. The 3-series is far more tossable and fun. In the 5-series you feel a lot more isolated from the road.

Don't get me wrong, the 5-series is a fantastic car. The one I drove had all the tech package goodies and the stunning brown leather interior. I loved it.

[tazcubed]

Have you actually driven a 5-series wagon? Not as sporty compared to what exactly? I'd have gone with a manual myself, but needed an automatic to allow my wife to drive (and frankly, driving around Toronto highways with the dynamic cruise control has made commuting easy). Depending which buttons one presses, it's pretty much as capable as the sedan when pressed. Still, all said, I'm still waiting to find a decent handling wagon that also has a good build quality WITHOUT having to step into the crossover realm. It's a shame that Lexus gave up on the IS300 Sportcross and that Volvo no longer exports the V70R wagon to Canada. 

Yes, I've driven both a 2010 535i wagon automatic and a 2006 325i six-speed manual wagon, both without the sport package. The 3-series is far more tossable and fun. In the 5-series you feel a lot more isolated from the road.

Don't get me wrong, the 5-series is a fantastic car. The one I drove had all the tech package goodies and the stunning brown leather interior. I loved it.

I'd say that's a fair statement - the difference with the 5-series is the rear air-bladder suspension. I suspect that under "normal" settings, it's more set for touring, but pressing the DTC button (and holding it 5 seconds to disable most of the nannies) changes it to a much firmer and responsive setting. That said, since BMW no longer imports either one into Canada, it'll be a challenge to find a good compromise when it comes time to replace it. I've previously commented on issues surrounding the build quality of the 5, and I'm on the fence whether after all the repairs (under warranty) how it'll hold out after 80,000K. The Dinan Stage 2 computer upgrade really makes it come alive, and in a sense it becomes a different car, even if it'll probably compromise the overall durability.

[OliverD]

I did try out the "sport" mode but even that can't disguise the fact that that the 5 is a much bigger, heavier car than the 3.

I did really like the automatic transmission on the 5-series. It's the first automatic I've driven that I thought was truly excellent.