Volkswagen Golf SportWagen: Wood paneling not included (pictures)

Volkswagen released a major update to its Golf SportWagen following last year's update of the Golf hatchback range.

The Golf SportWagen comes with either gasoline or diesel engines.

This 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel makes 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and achieves average fuel economy around 35mpg.

Toward the rear, the proportions of this new SportWagen make it feel less like a compact and more like a full-size wagon.

To make room for the diesel exhaust clean-up system, Volkswagen uses a torsion bar rear suspension in the SportWagen TDI, while the gas engine version gets a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.

The filler for diesel emission fluid, or AdBlue, sits next to the fuel filler.

The Golf SportWagen shows off a very squared-off back end, styling taken up in other areas of the body.

The impressively large cargo space can hold 30.4 cubic feet of anything with the rear seat up, and 66.5 cubic feet with the rear seat down.

Volkswagen uses a clean, modern design for the cabin.

Semi-buckets in the rear bench make it more suitable for two passengers, rather than three.

This panoramic sunroof comes standard with the SE or SEL trim levels.

Volkswagen offers a lighting and a driver assistance package, but most features come packaged in at trim levels, which range from S to SE to SEL.

The electric power steering responds sharply to inputs, a typical European steering trait.

Whether diesel or gasoline engine, the Golf SportWagen can be had with six speed manual or six speed DSG automated manual transmission. The automated manual uses computer-controlled clutches for efficient gear changes, and can shift automatically.

S and SE trim level Golf SportWagens get this 5.8-inch touchscreen, working as the stereo and phone interface.

Navigation comes standard at the SEL trim level, and is not available in the lower trims.

The destination menu bar pops up over the map screen.

This example of the Golf SportWagen shows it with a roof rack. Michael Klopotowski, Volkswagen’s product planner for the Golf family, noted that bicyclists can more easily reach the rack, which sits on the 5 foot high roof, as opposed to with a taller SUV.

These 18-inch wheels come standard at the SEL trim level.

Volkswagen offers adaptive cornering lights as part of the Lighting package, for $995.