2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Review

Name: 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Rating: 4.4 (32 reviews)

Price Range: $19,590 - $19,990

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion Wagon Exterior Shown

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI SEL Wagon Exterior Shown

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$14,945 avg. price

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Volkswagen Golf SportWagen model years

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Kurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Holds almost as much cargo as many compact crossovers
Interior features quality design and materials
Turbo four-cylinder engine delivers high fuel economy
Offers optional all-wheel drive

Cons

Automatic transmission sometimes slow to shift in low-speed driving
Relatively snug back seat

What’s new

For 2018, all trim levels receive LED taillights, LED daytime running lights and automatic wipers. Volkswagen has also upgraded the SportWagen's touchscreen infotainment systems. Finally, the SE trim gets more standard safety features this year, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Vehicle overview

Are you in the market for something very practical but not interested in a compact SUV? The Golf SportWagen might be just what you're looking for. It combines the high levels of fit and finish and excellent road manners found in the standard Golf but with considerably more cargo space.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Columbus, OH

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2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
TSI S Wagon
$19,590
fair price
$73 below market
- 21,403 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Carvana - Indianapolis (177 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Indianapolis, IN
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VWD17AU2JM759480
Stock: 2003612178
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-03-2025
2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
TSI SE Wagon
$8,277
great price
$862 below market
- 162,216 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Your Choice Auto Sales of Joliet (294 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Joliet, IL
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI SE is a versatile and stylish wagon known for its practicality, sporty performance, and solid build quality. H...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VWD17AU6JM757943
Stock: JYC-757943
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-12-2024

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VW turned the already practical Golf into an even more practical wagon by adding an extra foot of length to the cargo area, resulting in 66.5 cubic feet of space with the seats down (up from the standard Golf's 53.7 cubic feet). That's similar to what a lot of compact SUVs can hold. The Golf SportWagen also boasts a smooth and efficient turbocharged engine and an upscale interior. You can even get it with all-wheel drive, which is a useful option if you frequently drive in inclement weather.

On the downside, you don't quite get that elevated driving position like you do with an SUV, and the best small SUVs (the Honda CR-V, for example) ultimately have more backseat space and cargo room. Overall, though, we think the 2018 Golf SportWagen is a great alternative to more mainstream offerings.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

With 170 horsepower, the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine should prove potent enough for most drivers. It'll have to because it's the only choice. Despite the vehicle's name, there's not much "sport" to the car's handling abilities.

Acceleration

The extra length and weight make the SportWagen feel less urgent than a regular Golf hatchback when accelerating around town, but it's a subtle difference.

Braking

The brake pedal has an uncharacteristically firm feel to it for a VW, which is a good thing. The braking performance is predictable at all speeds.

Steering

For the most part, the SportWagen feels responsive from the helm. It doesn't give you a particularly great sense of the road exactly, but most drivers should find it perfectly adequate.

Handling

We've found the SportWagen delivers only modest handling capability when you're driving around turns. All-wheel drive should come in handy on the rain-soaked pavement, but don't expect it to liven up the SportWagen's ability on a dry, winding country road.

Drivability

The automatic transmission hampers drivability. You'll often notice small lurches when you accelerate from a stop or when you need a quick change in speed. You either need to let it creep slowly or stomp the gas to subvert this behavior.

Comfort

The SportWagen is a Golf through and through, which means impressive seat and ergonomic comfort all around. The central control panel is angled toward the driver for easier access.

Seat comfort

The standard front seats should provide firm support over short and long distances. Both front seats are height-adjustable. There is generous space in the rear, but low cushions mean less thigh support for taller passengers.

Ride comfort

Ruts and potholes are smoothed over by the compliant suspension tuning. The SportWagen is composed on the highway, too.

Noise & vibration

Some road noise is noticeable but not intrusive. Engine noise is prominent under heavy acceleration, but more performance-minded drivers will probably like its burly sound.

Climate control

You'll need to step up to the SEL model to get dual-zone climate control with automatic air conditioning. It's not a deal-breaker, but other automakers offer this creature comfort on lesser trim levels.

Interior

Large windows all around with ample glass and a simple, sensible control layout make the SportWagen's cabin a pleasant, user-friendly environment. The premium materials and a conservative design make this wagon seem more entry-luxury than economy compact.

Ease of use

The controls are well-placed and labeled for ease of use, and the gauges are straightforward and very easy to read. Nothing fancy, just strong fundamentals.

Getting in/getting out

Front passengers will have no complaints, but those in back might have something to carp about. The rear doors have a relatively narrow opening, and if the front seat is pushed back for long legs, there's not much room for the rear passenger to squeeze behind.

Driving position

Everything falls readily to hand in the SportWagen, which is unsurprising because it's basically the same praiseworthy interior you'll find in an ordinary Golf. The wheel telescoping range is very generous for taller drivers as is the seat-height range.

Roominess

The seating in the rear is a bit lacking compared to the back seats of some roomy small crossovers or a bigger wagon such as the Subaru Outback. But there's plenty of space for the front passengers.

Visibility

All-around visibility is excellent thanks to the narrow roof pillars. Backing into a spot is easy enough that you won't need to rely on the standard rearview camera — but it's nice to have anyway.

Utility

Increased cargo capacity and utility are arguably the key reasons to buy the SportWagen over the Golf hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the cargo area is cavernous. The standard roof rails sweeten the deal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Small-item storage

To VW's credit, the flip-door ashtray area in front of the shift lever has been converted into a phone shelf with a USB port and auxiliary jack — it's super-convenient for stashing and connecting your phone. Otherwise, the center console offers only two cupholders and a shallow armrest bin.

Cargo space

Open the rear hatch and you've got 30.4 cubic feet of space behind the upright rear seats to work with, which is enough for the typical load of luggage, home goods and groceries. Dropping the rear seats yields 66.5 cubic feet, which is similar to what you get from a lot of small crossovers.

Technology

Thankfully, Volkswagen has upgraded this system for 2018 with new 6.5- and 8-inch touchscreens, complete with a much-improved interface and graphics. The voice control system is well-executed.

Audio & navigation

The standard audio system isn't bad, and the Fender premium upgrade adds a subwoofer. Audiophiles will like lossless file playback capability. Only the SEL model offers navigation.

Smartphone integration

The sophisticated smartphone capability is anchored by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It mirrors the smartphone interface and makes available commonly used apps such as Pandora, Spotify and TuneIn internet radio.

Driver aids

The SE and SEL have most of the latest driver safety aids standard, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The SEL also gets adaptive cruise control.

Compare 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen models

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen comes in four trim levels: S, S with 4Motion, SE and SEL. The base S comes nicely equipped and offers most of what you need and comes in a 4Motion version with all-wheel drive. The SE and the SEL add more convenience, luxury and safety features.

All trim levels are powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque (automatic transmission) or 184 lb-ft (manual transmission).

On the S, you can get either a six-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive, which VW calls 4Motion, is optional for the S trim level and comes with either a six-speed manual or a different automatic transmission, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox called DSG in Volkswagen-speak. The SE and SEL have the regular six-speed auto as standard.

Standard feature highlights for the S include 15-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, roof rails, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front seats with partial power adjustment, 60/40-split folding rear seats with a center pass-through and a 115-volt outlet in the cargo area.

Also standard are a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and VW's Car-Net App-Connect and Car-Net Security & Service connectivity systems. The base audio system includes eight speakers, a CD player, satellite and HD radio, and auxiliary audio, USB and SD card inputs.

The S with 4Motion trim is the same but has 16-inch wheels and heated front seats.

Moving up to the SE gets you 16-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and push-button ignition, simulated leather upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The top-level SEL builds on SE features with 17-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, automatic dual-zone climate control and a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The SEL also includes navigation and a powerful Fender audio system as well as adaptive cruise control.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.08 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$133/mo

$162/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#21 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen from 2008-2022.}

$580/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.61x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

11.5%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

32 reviews

5(66%)

4(22%)

3(6%)

2(3%)

1(3%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

TSI SE a good replacement for the TDI Sportwagen

chuck maricle, 11/07/2016

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Struggling like many TDI owners for the "perfect replacement" for the perfect car, my 2011 VW TDI Sportwagen 6-speed, the 2017 Golf Sportwagen SE TSI exceeds my expectations. It doesn't pull "off the line" line the diesel and unfortunately VW does not have a 6-speed in the SE line (which is sad). The transmission also seems to hunt at low speed but it is not bothersome. At 65mph on a …

A good value

Buckeye, 11/07/2016

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Wanted a replacement for our ten year old Volvo wagon which functioned as an extra car to haul stuff and for winter driving. This VW Sports Wagon is a bargain from a cost perspective and is more than adequete to meet our needs. Looked at new Volvo, BMW and even used mid size SUV but the VW delivered the most bang for the buck.

LOTS of BANG for the BUCK!

Sean, 07/22/2018

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion 4dr Wagon AWD (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I’ve come to VW after 15 years with Volvo, out of financial necessity— as well as styling. My new VW 4Motion Sportwagen checks all the boxes— I’m now calling it The Poor Man’s Volvo! I honestly can’t believe VW can build this car for under $30K— thats WAY under $30K! A little internet searching lead me to a smoking deal at a dealer outside Boston. Well worth the drive from Connecticut, …

If like driving there is NOTHING else 4 this $$

Bob Edwards, 11/19/2017

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion 4dr Wagon AWD (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

*Update*: This is all still good. At 25,000 miles the *only* issue that is sort of classic volkswagen in my experience is the rear hatch gaps were off so when the hatch closes it has chipped the paint significantly. It is being covered under warranty. *end update* This is a 20000 AWD economy box. It serves all the purpose any econo-box should- reliably and efficiently hauling kids, …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf SportWagen since its last redesign.

See all 32 reviews of the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

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2018 Golf SportWagen Highlights

Trim:

TSI S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,685
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$133/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	6 years / 72,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Golf SportWagen models:

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System: Applies the brakes immediately after a collision to stop movement and avoid a secondary impact.
Forward Collision Warning: Issues visual and aural alerts if a collision seems likely. Applies brakes autonomously if necessary to mitigate impact.
Rear Traffic Alert: Helps detect approaching objects that might not be visible from the sides when backing up. It has a 65-foot range.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good