By John Heilig
Model: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SE with sunroof and navigation
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4
Horsepower/Torque: 200 H @ 5,700 rpm/207 lb.-ft. @ 1,700 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 102.5 in.
Length x Width x Height: 174.5 x 71.2 x 65.6 in.
Tires: P235/50R18
Cargo: 23.8/56.1 cu. ft. (rear seat backs up/down)
Economy: 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway/30.3 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 16.8 gal.
Curb Weight: 3,393 lbs.
Sticker: $31,345 (includes $820 destination charge)
Five reasons to buy this car:
1. Nice compact SUV
2. Comfortable
3. Easy rider/driver
4. Solid
5. Only compact …

 
If you are buying a two-model year old car–a 2010 car for instance–Volkswagen’s Golf may well end up on your shopping list.
So what are you getting with a two year old Golf?
First, you’re getting timelessness.
This is one of those cars that can be five, six or more years old, and you would be hard pressed to tell it from a new Golf, unless you were a VW enthusiast or somebody who worked for the home office.
Next, you’re getting a compact …

     By Don Hammonds
  Breathes there a soul on the planet who doesn’t love the Volkswagen Beetle?

     I don’t think so, and judging from the reaction to my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, I think VW has yet another hit on its hands.
Everywhere I went, and everytime I left the car to do an errand, I discoverd a small crowd when I returned. And the interest extends across all gender, ethnic and age ranges.
 Little old ladies exclaimed, “Oh, it’s the new Beetle  I …

By John Heilig
 
Model: 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI
Engine: 2.0-liter Clean diesel turbocharged 4
Horsepower/Torque: 140 hp @ 4,000 rpm/236 lb.-ft. @ 1,75 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 101.5 in.
Length/Width/Height: 165.4 x 70.3 x 58.2 in.
Tires: P225/45R17 H
Cargo volume: 15.2/46 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)
Fuel economy: 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway/41.7 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 2,994 lbs.
Sticker: $24,955 (includes $770 destination charge, $300 Bluetooth connectivity)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Excellent fuel economy
2. Practical, yet compact
3. Decent small car performance
4. Comfortable
5. Practical economy …

By
John Heilig
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4
Horsepower/Torque: 200 hp @ 5,100 rpm/207 lb.-ft. @ 1,700 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 104.4 in.
Length/Width/Height: 182.2 x 70.0 x 57.2 in.
Tires: P225/40R18
Cargo volume: 15.5 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/23.7 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,210 lbs.
Sticker: $26,445 (base)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Nice package
2. Good power
3. Good handling
4. Excellent audio
5. Excellent HVAC
 
The Bottom Line: The Volkswagen Jetta has been a hit ever since its over-top-introduction in Times …

By Don Hammonds
Volkswagen’s all-new Passat is a real game changer both for the company and for the mid-sized family car segment, company officials say–and climbing sales suggest the car-buying public agrees with them.

      The new Passat, with prices starting at $19,995,  is a game changer for VW because it gives the company a legitimate, larger and yet more affordable car that competes far more successfully than its predecessor, and also gives the mid-sized segment something that it has never had …

Volkswagen’s “bringing it” for 2012, as it issues another volley of new products such as the 2012 Passat and the all-new Beetle.
Most enthusiasts know that VW is well-known for handling, performance, and terrific interiors, but up till now they’ve always been just a bit more costly than their competitors.
No more.
The Passat, VW’s largest sedan, will hit the showrooms with a price tag less than $20,000. Thus, it’s the second sedan–the first being the recently redone Jetta–to undercut the pricing of …

By Don Hammonds
We know what you are thinking.
“‘What the heck does Automobile Journal mean by ‘same, but different’? Have they lost their minds?’”
Uh, no. We’re alll quite sane, thanks.
But the new Jetta proves our point.  Undeniably, this car is a Volkswagen.  It performs like a Volkswagen–admirably–and handles like crazy–it’s balls of fun on the road–so it’s like most VWs you know about. Corners and curves were our best friends in this car. And those are good things, at least for those of …

 
To be successful in this business, you have to update your lineup regularly, even if it only has a few years under its belt on the market.
Such is the case of Volkswagen of America, Inc. which announced some updates and refinements on its small SUV, the Tiguan.

There are upgrades to the interior, big improvements in fuel economy and a bit different look for the Tiguan for 2012.
With an anticipated on sale date during the fall of 2011, pricing information for the …

Looking for something way cool?
We at Automobile Journal have been hearing rumors that Volkswagen was about to bring back its beloved Microbus van that was a rolling icon of the days of flower chidren, hippies and Janis Joplin.
Now we have evidence, courtesy of the Geneva International Auto Show and VW, that the rumor is likely true.

VW is displayng the Bulli, a retro flavored, yet utterly contemporary van concept  that will bring back memories for a lot of babyboomers– and ptoetntially …