• Fuel-miserly diesels are pleasingly efficient
• Still a little thirstier than regular Golf Estates
• All models within the same VED band

Being based on the Estate GT, starting prices for the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack are high, but it still delivers attractively low running costs.

Inevitably with a raised ride-height and standard 4Motion four-wheel drive, it’s marginally thirstier than regular Golf Estates, but then each Alltrack has a claimed fuel efficiency of between 54.3mpg and 56.5mpg – expect real-world economy to be of the order of around 10mpg lower than those figures.

Similarly, CO2 emissions are between 129g/km and 137g/km.

It doesn’t really matter which version you choose, as all Volkswagen Golf Alltrack models are relatively efficient with low CO2 output.

There are only diesel engines to choose from, and the least polluting option is the 2.0-litre TDI 150hp at 129g/km. Considering this car is four-wheel drive, that’s more than competitive with its rivals.

However, there’s little CO2 penalty for choosing the more powerful 184hp version with DSG automatic, as that only emits 137g/km.

• Proven engines and gearboxes
• One recall for the Golf range
• Off-road fittings designed to protect

The pair of 2.0-litre TDI diesels, have been lifted from other cars in the range, so you can expect Volkswagen Golf Alltrack reliability to be similar to any other member of the range.

It’s the same story with gearboxes, cabin materials, on-board technology (shared with any number of cars built on the same underpinnings including the Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia, for example), and even the 4Motion four-wheel drive system.

That means, on the whole it should be trouble-free to own, with little required in terms of unexpected maintenance or costs. Most will spend their time on-road rather than off it, but if you do need to tread some rough tracks it’s worth noting there may be some more wear and tear involved – especially on underbody components or exterior trim – though it has been designed to do this, within reason.

Aside from a steering fault that vehicle inspectorate VOSA actioned a recall for, no significant problems have been reported in terms of the Golf line-up.