News & Reviews- Make: Volkswagen

If you're one of the 31-plus thousand Canadians who bought a Volkswagen Jetta last year, you'll be glad the updated 2015 model hasn't changed all that much. VW doesn't tend to make dramatic changes to its models when it comes time for a mid-cycle update, let alone for total redesigns, but rather evolves them slowly over decades. Such is the case with the subtly reworked 2015 Jetta.

That said it's kind of late for this mid-cycle refresh. The sixth-generation Jetta hit the market in 2011, which means the 2015 upgrade that arrived last year took almost four years to materialize. Normally four years is the entire lifespan of a compact model's generation, but then again VW should be given some slack due to continual upgrades since the model debuted. We should also give them credit for building a car that has won them more new customers than any other model in recent history. Jetta sales have almost doubled over the last 10 years in Canada, with 2015 YTD deliveries once again on target Read Full Story

The iconic VW Beetle has long been a good car in search of a great engine, and with the advent of the impressive new 1.8 TSI its time has arrived.

Volkswagen has been stuffing its new direct injection, turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder into every small car it sells, and the result has been strong performance combined with very competitive fuel economy. The Beetle 1.8 TSI puts out a formidable 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque while fully capable of achieving a five-cycle EnerGuide rating of 9.9 L/100km in the city and 7.2 on the highway when fitted to the car's standard five-speed manual gearbox, or an even better 9.6 city and 7.2 highway rating when upgraded to the six-speed automatic.

Unlike the Jetta that still gets the old 2.0-litre mill in lower rung trims, the 1.8 TSI comes standard in the Beetle, and unlike the Jetta the Beetle's base price is commensurately higher at $19,990 plus $1,395 for freight and pre-delivery prep. Just the same that's quite reasonable Read Full Story

Volkswagen didn't need to do much with this year's mid-cycle update to make the Jetta any better looking; some tweaks to the front fascia, updated taillights, and reworked interior trim with new standard infotainment being all that was required. After all, why dramatically change a good thing? Its many fans have spoken with their wallets and the vehicle's strong sales show that they like the styling direction VW is on.

Last year's 31,042 Canadian sales made it the best year ever for the long-running compact model, with deliveries coming very close to doubling over the last 10 years. By all indications the trend is rising, so it could very well be another banner year for Jetta.

I certainly understand what all the fuss is about. Its 2015 Jetta Trendline starting price is only $14,990 plus $1,395 for freight and pre-delivery prep, and while it comes with the weakest engine in the compact class at just 115 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque, VW doesn't charge any extra Read Full Story

If you're a hot hatch fan, Volkswagen's Golf GTI likely owns a bit of your heart. You may have sidestepped to a different brand that's wooed you with more power or fancier features, but respect must be paid to the pocket rocket that started them all.

I won't bore you with GTI history as more than enough has been said about every generation that's come along over the model's 39-year tenure. Suffice to say the car is now legend.

With the totally redesigned seventh-generation 2015 Golf GTI, Volkswagen hasn't deviated one iota from the classic shape, which should be a relief to traditionalists although none would have bet on Wolfsburg changing it up too much. The car's comfortable upright driving position, roomy interior and stubby good looks have won admirers for almost four decades, so steady progressive evolution it is. This said I think most will be pleased with what VW has done.

First off it's longer, wider, lower and lighter than the GTI that came before, Read Full Story

If you tend to "ask the audience" before making a decision and generally follow the crowd when it comes to major purchases the Volkswagen Passat isn't for you. That's not to say it doesn't sell well, but out of 11 mainstream mid-size models available in Canada it ranked eighth on the sales charts last year.

Of course, popularity rarely translates into best, at least not what's best for every buyer in each automotive segment. For some, styling matters more than features, my Night Blue Metallic on Cornsilk Beige Passat tester looking pretty classy, and never forget that price plays a significant role when it comes to mass-market appeal. Also, some of the brands make their mid-size models available with special de-contented fleet packages that appeal to large companies and government agencies that buy in bulk, these numbers helping the car look more popular in the retail sector than it really is. Not factoring such differentials into the equation and therefore simply laying the Read Full Story