2013 VW Sportwagen TDI Driving Impressions

Matt
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Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:52 pm

2013 VW Sportwagen TDI Driving Impressions

Post by Matt »

[Reposted from MatthewsVolvoSIte]

I tested the hi zoot $30k Sportwagen, fresh off the dealer lot. For comparison, my ex got a mid-zoot manual 2012 during their (model) year end sale for about $24k in late summer.

Image

Driving
  • Road noise is almost non-existent
  • Touch of wind noise around A pillar
  • Idle reveals this to be a diesel, there's no hiding it, but most will never think twice about it
  • After 4200 RPM, the engine sounds like a hidden sewing machine component has been activated somewhere under the hood
  • Nimble, steering feels nice and tight
  • Understeer far less prevalent than my 850, which pushes like a snowplow
  • Brakes are very powerful and bite hard, fade after repeat use not tested
Cabin
  • Cabin controls very good, except the hard-to-read climate dials
  • Easy to get a comfortable driving position
  • Keyless start just works, no fuss
  • Radio w/ Sirus seems good, but I didn't test it too much
  • Gauges are very crisp, very easy to read
Engine
  • Robust power sub-2k to 4k, then a cliff at around 4200 RPM
  • WOT throttle upshifts put the tach at 3200 RPM, which seems a touch high to me
  • Dead-start lag in the auto is significant, beware
Would I buy one for me? A year-end manual model might tempt me, but not this particular sample I drove today.
edrobinson
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:55 pm

Re: 2013 VW Sportwagen TDI Driving Impressions

Post by edrobinson »

We have an '11 and it's road noise is fierce. My 850 sounds like a Rolls in comparison.

The steering is indeed tight. I understand it s electric. What happens if the electric fails?

It's a real hot rod. I hope the VW emissions fix doesn't destroy that aspect.
'63 Beetle back in the day
'67 Beetle back in the day
'70 Beetle only $2000! Long gone.
'11 Jetta TDI Sports Wagon - love it
'95 Volvo 850 turbo wagon - still going strong
Matt
Site Admin
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:52 pm

Re: 2013 VW Sportwagen TDI Driving Impressions

Post by Matt »

I think the road noise goes up faster with tire wear than say Volvos. I was in that Sportwagen a few months ago, before my mom got rid of it for a new CC, and the noise was up substantially, like you mention.
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