2015 VW Golf Sportwagen TDI: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I'd much rather have a station wagon than an SUV. I'd take the diesel with the manual!

[@mo-215]

For those of you who bought this in 2015 or 2016, you SCORED. Writing this from 2022 and these "re-released" post "dieselgate" are going for over $40k from dealers. Almost $44k.

[@whatta7793]

Huh? I'm looking at a 2015 Sportwagen TDI right now with 99k miles for $12k?

[@richardbaumgart2454]

yeah that's why I'm here I just found one with 108k loaded for 14,500...looks like a sweet car at a Honda dealership

[@hunterrollins5646]

Maybe for the gas model but the diesel models aren't going for nearly that much

[@JRuthless719-Mula]

I got mine for 20,000 with 70k miles (rounded up) idk i feel like I got F'ed, but I like the vehicle. (2015 Vw golf tdi dsg Se)

[@korykelsey4364]

I had a 2011 Jetta Sportwagon TDI, and it's positives were amazing, but far too many repairs were needed in a year of ownership. With that said, I've heard the 2015 Golf TDI Sportwagon is more reliable than the model I had. Tempting to buy a 2015 Sportwagon TDI as the positives still draw me in....

[@Fordguy1997]

I really like this car. In a few years when I have some money saved up, I might be up for buying a TDI 6 speed manual.

[@hyperlogos]

25k is a pretty great price with decent options. My A8 only has an 11-way power seat... I've come to really like the softball question. The answers are always revealing, how they choose to answer as much as what they answer.

[@morbvsclz]

As a German, I don't get the name of this car. Sportwagen is the German word for sports car. So Sportwagen are things like a Porsche Cayman, an Alfa Romeo 4C etc. It would have made sense if they called this car "sports wagon" to express that it's a station wagon that actually drives well... But using the german word Sportwagen for a car like this is just completely wrong. I guess because because Sportwagen sounds a lot like sports wagon, maybe they wanted to it to appear a bit more exotic by using a foreign word... But why not use the right one?! In german the generic term for a wagon is "Kombinationskraftwagen" (or in short "Kombi"), although VW calls all their wagons Variant. So in case they wanted to be exotic something like "Sportkombi" would have been fine and actually made sense in German. Although "Sportkombinationskraftwagen" would be funnier... Imagine that written on your trunk :-D GOLF SPORTKOMBINATIONSKRAFTWAGEN 2.0 TDI

[@splewy]

+morbvsclz Yeah, as an American, I can almost guarantee that the name was just a result of some dumb American marketing people trying to be clever. I can imagine the conversation now. Guy 1: what should we call this thing? Guy 2: Well it's kind of a sporty station wagon. Maybe SprotWagon? Guy 1: But what if we spelled the Wagon with an E? Wagen is a German word right? Guy 2: I like it! I don't know what "wagen" actually means, but it looks very German-ish. We're a German company right? Our model names should look German-ish.

[@morbvsclz]

You might be right on that one :D

[@Charlemagne89]

Americans don't give a shit how wrong their German is, if it sounds or looks German it's good enough for us. Sportkombi would make zero sense to us. Just look at how we spell German Chocolate Cake on this Coldstone menu.. b.zmtcdn.com/data/menus/215/6713215/6bf4a29ba541a06cb300eae630086c5b.jpg - Had a literal German girl say "what in the hell is that" when she saw it.

[@seerzion156]

I bought one a week ago and I love it. The ride is smooth and the dsg is as quick a shifting transmission ever. I bought the TDi and in sel trim the huge roof is a real plus. It drives with a secure road feel. I have a 2015 Gti as well. The wagon is quitter than the GTi but the GTi is much tighter in corners and extremely responsive to the right peddlel. The fender audio sounds sweet. It's an excellent autobahn experience.

[@bradh6185]

How was the road noise in the Sportwagen?

[@laguilayanisulan2830]

I got one. Almost 40k kms. now. I love it!

[@Wittiiii]

TDI all the way. such a nice engine :)

[@brunoandrade4288]

Now that Acura discontinued the TSX sportwagon, this is the only option below $35K and it seems VW got it right now with a better interior and power seats...

[@fabianb6970]

"Sportwagen" means sportscar in German, a golf wagon TDI isn't exactly what I call a sportscar. They should at least put the 184hp 2.0 diesel in it from the Golf GTD.

[@vencko1]

Very simple fix. APR ecu 180HP 600$ ....

[@lsowner10]

Patiently waiting for the 2016 VW ALLROAD!

[@seb5945]

I am liking the new VWs these days. Probably the GTI on the top of my list.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Why are manufacturers (VW is not the only one) trying to sell us vinyl seats as a premium alternative to cloth? Using terms like V-Tex or Leatherette is not fooling me. It's nicely textured compared to the work truck type vinyl of the days of yore, but it is still an artificial material. I have never has a problem keeping cloth clean and enjoy not burning the back of my legs in the summer.

[@ralphnortham1314]

Cloth is more comfortable anyway and better in the cold

[@smack9x]

Aaron Fink From my experience the fake leather is the way to go in the long run. It's difficult to enforce rules of no food/drink all the time for me so some nice fake leather will do. Wipe it and forget it. Heated/cooled seats are a lot more common now so the main con for leather/pleather/leatherette gets thrown out.

[@aaronbehindbars]

If I were to own leather or imitation leather, it would have to be heated and cooled, no doubt. That still does not eliminate the initial temperature shock when you first sit down in the seat.

[@smack9x]

That doesn't happen with remote start. Which a lot cars come with now.

[@aaronbehindbars]

smack9x Most climate controlled seats default to off every time you cycle the ignition. You have to have a smart-phone connected system in the car to have that level of functionality, would you not? Cars like this in the lower $20k price range do not have this capability. It's more the hot weather and the hot vinyl that bothers me than the cold. The seating surface warms up a lot quicker than it cools off when occupied by a warm body. Plus, cooled seats are still less common than heated seats. I'd rather have cooled seats instead of heated seats where I live.

[@brucec43]

Volvo V60 gets about the same highway mpg with a 2.0 turbo moving a much heavier car. Find them when incerntives are maxed and they're not that much more expensive. But they depreciate a lot more.

[@sgbradley]

1,120 Klms Range on a Tank of Diesel in Canada, you can't beat that even with a Smart Car...... 3 Tanks of Gas from East to West Coast if you drive direct.

[@jengirlssoccer]

The TDI unicorn in the U.S.

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

What is the likelihood of a future Tdi Sportwaggen AWD with manual transmission?

[@vladislavkorol6033]

The Golf Sportwagen Alltrack is coming out late 2016 as a 2017 model, is gonna have more ground clearance to compete with the Subarus. 6spd manual turbo diesel AWD wagen that's the one I'd want me except I would personally want to keep the ground clearance of the FWD!

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

+Vladislav Korol yeah, i would want the fwd ground clearance too.

[@meissnerflux]

How is it holding up now? What problems have you experienced during ownership?

[@ericm3991]

SPORTKOMBIKRAFTWAGEN Yes!! Maybe the new Microbus (if it ever happens) could be the Kombikraftwagen.

[@LlyleHunter]

Well Roman, you're an Ironman. Since you'd mentioned bike reviews, why don't you review a Colnago Ferrari?

[@imranvanat]

what about comparing to the volvo V60? seems like you guys forgot about the most obvious direct competitor...

[@cmanlovespancakes]

This should sell alright in some parts of the country, especially in the Northeast and Pacific northwest but overall Americans do not like wagons. I am surprised VW decided to bring the newest Sportwagen to the US since the last model did not sell very well and is very much a niche vehicle.

[@dugfriendly]

World class cyclist Megan Guarnier is a fan of the Sportswagen.

[@mannyzx1]

Digging the glasses!

[@rfrazer4907]

Is the R model of the sportwagen coming to the US ??? If so when ???

[@yongthanatip]

Autobahn experience is to take any car and thrash it without speed limit and it's legal, not this sort of car and holding back the throttle.

[@madant7777]

Wha...? They gimped the 1.8 TSI for you guys with that 5 speed only shifter.

[@sic22l]

***** 5-speed is enough for this engine. It has plenty of torque across the rev range and 5th gear is pretty long so it's quiet and economical on the highway.

[@madant7777]

sic22l Just FYI, 1.8 in EU was always 6 speed, and there is a difference when driving. Diesels usually have 5 speeds for smallest displacements (1.6) to make it cheaper, but you're just burning fuel when on a highway. It is only meant for city driving, and it is the opposite of quiet. No one here would even think about 5 speeds on a 1.4 TSI, let alone 1.8, and you can't actually buy it like that. I have one 1.4 with 6 speeds, at work a couple of diesels 1.6 5/6 speeds, and you pick the 5 speed one last. So them making only one higher powered gasoline option and then mating it with a 5 speed manual is just... silly.

[@sic22l]

***** VW chose 5 speed for US model because it was more economical in the city. About highwat speeds - forget about your stereotypes, 5 speed gearboxes in VW products have long gear ratios and 5th gear is as long as 6th gear in 6-speed transmissions. In the US 1.8 TSI isn't a high powered option. It's a base engine.

[@madant7777]

sic22l I drove both shifters in more than a few configurations and they definitely aren't the same. It would be more of the fact that in US you drive slower on the highway, 90 compared to 70 mph, so we do feel the difference at those speeds at high revs. This 5 speed is here only for the city fuel economy. And the 1.8 is a higher powered version since there are 1.2 and 1.4 in two variations each, and only 1.2 goes with a 5 speed in EU. Still I wouldn't never choose the 5 speed over the 6, and I can't say I've met anybody that would, at least not here, so take it as you will.

[@sic22l]

***** On most US highways there's 65-70 mph speed limit. And I never said that 5 and 6 speed are the same. I just said last gear has similar ratio therefore highway rpm is pretty much the same. And that's the truth. 5 speed was perfect for VW - better city consumption, similar highway mpg and lower production costs (probably). PS. Short geared 6 speed can be a nightmare too.

[@gabrielc5642]

it's that available to buy in california?

[@yippie6862]

I wanted to know if the Sportwagen Diesel uses multi-link rear suspension or not.

[@cmanlovespancakes]

I heard that the diesel model has the same rear suspension as the Golf TDI, which is torsion beam in North America.

[@yippie6862]

Thanks Charles. That's too bad, I guess VW changed the diesel engine in the Golf and the Sportwagen requiring it to use the ad-blue. Perhaps there wasn't enough room for the independent suspension? Makes the decision tougher. Wish VW would put the GTI engine in it, that would be an easy choice for me then.

[@cmanlovespancakes]

Yippie The ad blue tank is the reason vw gave on why they had to use torsion beam rear suspension. Though some people have pointed out there is room for the tank even with IRS. So it is was done to cut costs on the tdi models so they could sell them for less.

[@yippie6862]

Charles Schutz I was afraid of that. VW has been on a cost cutting binge lately, especially in North America. They have been testing their customers for years now to see how much they can get away with. Dollars and shareholders before engineering. I'm guessing they will end up changing it back to an IRS in a couple of years.

[@vladislavkorol6033]

+Charles Schutz TSI gas engine uses multi link, but the TDI diesel uses torsion beam as they needed room to put the mandatory exhaust cleaning system (DEF) for the diesel.

[@jamc204]

Why were there cars being lifted by cranes in this video? Maybe I missed it but there was no explanation.

[@danno321s]

Why do I always see VW's with a burned out tail light?

[@CalebCissna]

Wouldn't the Volvo V60 be cross showed

[@IrieBuilder]

my next car

[@DRAGONIKification]

1decimal8tango I condole...

[@shopwithaaron]

Did he just suggest changing out the factory wheels??

[@kirbyswarp]

Crossovers are stupid. They can't offroad, handle like shit, get much worse fuel economy, don't have a space advantage in the trunk, and look a whole lot worse. Wagons are the way to go, but Americans never really cared about handling or fuel economy either way. Looks like nothing has changed.

[@fhamel]

In the snow, crossovers are better than wagons because of the clearance and the AWD some if not most have. Give me a good looking AWD wagon though and I might be tempted, else... bah. The Kia Optima Wagon concept looks really good though... but it's not for the North American market so.... bah again.

[@kirbyswarp]

Francois Hamel Yup...If you want ground clearance. Get a subaru outback.

[@mikea.2348]

kirbyswarp I'd personally get this car over any crossover, but look at the Mazda CX-5 - handles great and great fuel economy.

[@carbrickscity]

***** I would prefer the CX-5 too.

[@kirbyswarp]

***** Ive driven one.

[@Antrieb530]

Roman, can the TDI manual trans Sportwagen tow? And if so, what is the tow rating? I am having a hard time finding a straight answer for this.

[@cmanlovespancakes]

headcas620 What is the Sportswagen's tow rating? Maybe 1000 lbs, but probably far less. And a pickup is a completely different beast and is designed to haul 10,000 pounds and much more depending on the model. I see people tow with small cars, and CUVS all the time.

[@stewartmurray4658]

Sport wagon, really it's a Golf estate.

[@LlyleHunter]

In truth the term "Estate Wagon" originated in The United States back in the gilded age when the wealthy would supply their butlers or majordomos with an Estate Wagon to pick up their supplies or go food shopping for them.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Bruce Solomon I regret to tell you, Bruce, but you're wrong on all counts. The term " Station Wagon " originated in the USA and refers to a vehicle used to shuttle railway passengers to or from the station. The term " Estate Car " is used in the UK, and derives from the shooting-brake, which was used to carry shooting parties around the landed gentry's estates. The term " Estate Wagon " is some bastardised amalgam of the two, and is little used. With regard to the Golf, it's a Sportwagen, meaning sports car.

[@LlyleHunter]

MrKeyboardCommando All of that is true Keyboard. So is my definition. We also had the appalling practice of our elite shooting wildlife from moving vehicles though in The US it was done from trains and they didn't even collect their kills which was most appalling. It lead to the extinction of the dodo bird. My great grandmother was from Poland and served as a chef to a countess there. When my mother's paternal family moved to the US my great grandmother worked as a cook in one of the aristocratic homes in New York City and often in their country estate on Long Island. It was common at that time for large station wagons to be called estate cars. General Motors named Chevrolet Caprice and the Buick Electra and Roadmaster wagons the Caprice Estate and Electra Estate. Since we are communicating directly again let's agree to keep it civil please. Please don't insult my level of education. I've worked very hard for many years to obtain my degrees and certifications as my father died while I was attending college and funds were scarce. I came from a working class family and had to work through college to get through often having to skip semesters because I couldn't afford it and President Reagan cut funding to both colleges and scholarships at the time resulting in higher tuition fees that outpaced any wages that I could earn at the time. But I dug my heels in and made it through and I still continue my education to this day. After President Reagan's term wherein he'd eliminated the TAP grants President GHW Bush established the PELL grants that stand to this day but a student must be under 25 years of age so people in my age group were not included. It has left a mark on a small demographic of Americans that's never spoke about.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Bruce Solomon Yes, my comment is correct. Your definition is, as usual, a load of rubbish. God alone knows the purpose of the remainder of your comment.

[@LlyleHunter]

MrKeyboardCommando I as usual took the higher road. Please don't ever speak to me again!

[@NY2FL2NY]

R line???

[@sourwords1808]

32 grand? I'll take 2.

[@alecj9227]

i love mine

[@042452]

And then came Dieselgate….

[@BTC909]

Wait for the 2016. A decent infotainment system. Hopefully USB ports. More safety tech offered. That POS DSG needs to get dropped. DSG's suck around town.

[@BTC909]

***** Also you can wait and see if this is going to fall apart or not.

[@DRAGONIKification]

What is VW?

[@pspboy7]

I'm a cyclist... hummm.

[@jerrytollison]

lousy review. bad photography.