Review: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf Wagon (2013-17)

Overview

Released in December 2013, the front-wheel drive Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf Wagon was manufactured in Mosel, Germany. As per the table below, the VW Mk.7 Golf Wagon range consisted of 90TSI, 103TSI and 110TDI variants. All engines, however, had a Start/Stop function which enabled them to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to minimise fuel consumption.

In July 2015, the 90TSI variants were discontinued and the 92TSI Trendline and Comfortline were introduced. Furthermore, the 103TSI Highline was replaced by the 110TSI Highline.

Dimensions

Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf Wagon , the Mk.7 Golf wagon was 26 mm longer (at 4657 mm), 18 mm wider (1799 mm), 28 mm lower (1496 mm) and had a 46 mm longer wheelbase (2620 mm). Inside, cargo capacity for the Golf Wagon was 605 litres, though this increased to 1620 litres when the rear seats were folded flat.

MQB platform, suspension and steering

Underpinned by Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the Mk.7 Golf Wagon had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and independent, four-link rear suspension with coil springs. The Golf Wagon was also fitted with an electronic differential lock which could apply the brakes to the inside front wheel when cornering to prevent wheel spin and reduce understeer.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf Wagon included dual front airbags, front side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Golf Wagon was also fitted with:

• Fatigue Detection: monitored driver behavior at speeds in excess of 65 km/h for signs of fatigue. If the driver exhibited signs of fatigue, a tone would sound and a warning would appear in the multi-function display; and,
• Multi-collision brake: automatically braked the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy and minimise the likelihood of a second impact.

For the Comfortline and Highline editions, an optional Driver assistance package included:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): using a radar sensor, ACC could autonomously apply the vehicle’s brakes to maintain a preset distance to vehicle ahead. ACC could also cause the vehicle to accelerate to its pre-set speed after braking;
• Front Assist: Front Assist used a radar sensor to detect if the vehicle was closing too fast on the vehicle ahead. If this occurred, Front Assist would:
  • provide audible and visual warnings to the driver,
  • bring the brake pads into contact with the brake discs for an emergency stop; and,
  • automatically apply the brakes to warn the driver.

If the driver failed to respond, Front Assist would apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce the severity a collision.

• City Emergency Brake (City EB): at speeds below 30 km/h, City EB would monitor the road ahead for vehicles. If a collision was considered likely, City EB would prime the brakes and increase braking assistance. If the driver did not react and a collision was imminent, City EB would autonomously initiate emergency braking;
• Park Assist 2: could detect parallel parking space and provide automated steering for right angle and parallel parking; and,
• Proactive occupant protection system: in a potential accident situation, the seatbelts would be tensioned and windows closed.

Features: Golf Wagon

Standard features for the Golf Wagon included 15-inch ‘Lyon’ alloy wheels with 195/65 R15 tyres (with a space-saving spare wheel), Volkswagen’s ‘Composition’ audio system with eight speakers, a CD player, MP3/WMA/AAC compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/SD card) and a 5.8-inch colour touch screen, Bluetooth mobile connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, daytime driving lights, a rear fog light, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12 volt power outlet in the centre console, a cargo cover, vanity mirrors, black roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Golf Wagon Trendline editions were further equipped front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with static guidelines and distance to objects (Volkswagen’s ‘Optical Parking System’, or OPS), automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Beyond this, the Golf Wagon Comfortline editions were further equipped with 16-inch ‘Toronto’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Comfort’ front seats with lumbar adjustment, automatically tilting passenger-side mirror when reversing, chrome roof rails, rear seat centre armrest with load through provision, a 12 volt power outlet in the luggage compartment and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Both the Comfortline and Highline editions also had a storage compartment in the roof console, drawers under the front seats and front seat backrest storage pockets.

The Golf Wagon 103TSI/110TSI and 110TDI Highline were distinguished by their 17-inch ‘Dijon’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, Volkswagen’s ‘Discover’ audio system with twin SD card slots, satellite navigation with 2D and 3D maps, ‘Comfort sports’ front seats with Alcantara trim, fog lights with static cornering lights and ambient lighting.

Visually, the Highline editions could be identified by their chrome lower air intake highlight, chrome lower side window strips and darkened rear tail light clusters. Inside, the Highline editions featured ‘piano black’ instrument and centre console surrounds.

MY16 Golf Wagon

Available from July 2015, standard features for the ‘MY16’ Golf Wagon were extended to include a 6.5-inch ‘Composition Media’ high-resolution touch screen display and ‘App-Connect’ USB interface for enhanced smartphone connectivity (including access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink).

For the 110TSI Highline and 110TDI Highline, standard features were extended to include Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ system with a 6.5-inch touch screen (previously 5.8-inches), Vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, a proximity key (i.e. keyless access) and push-button start.

Golf Wagon R-Line

From October 2014, the Golf Wagon 103TSI and 110TDI Highline models were available with an optional R-Line package which added 18-inch ‘Salvador’ alloy wheels, sports suspension, an R-Line steering wheel with gearshift paddles, R-Line sports seats and interior trim, R-Line badging and stainless steel pedals. According to Volkswagen, the R-Line models also had more direct and agile steering response in dynamic driving situations.

Visually, the Golf R-Line could be identified by its R-Line exterior body styling which included a rear spoiler, unique bumpers and side sills.

Related links

• Brochure: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf Wagon (August 2015)
• Press Kit: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf Wagon (February 2014)
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf