Karl on Cars
Volkswagen
June 25, 2008
If you're running (likely screaming) from your gas guzzler, and if you have embraced the idea of giving up all manner of fun and luxury in the name of lower fuel costs, the Volkswagen Rabbit is not the economy car for you.
It's not for you because, at a combined EPA fuel rating of 24 mpg, it's simply not that fuel efficient. And at a starting price of $17,000, it's not particularly inexpensive. However, with Germanic steering feel, 170 horsepower from its base engine, and a zero-to-60 time in the 7-second range, it's also rather fun to drive. And with supportive and comfy seats, soft-touch plastics throughout the cabin and a pumpin' base sound sytem it feels more luxurious than most economy cars.
Basically, the Rabbit is a perfect example of moderation in action. If you're looking for super cheap to buy and/or super cheap to feed there are better choices. But if you're looking for relatively cheap to buy and relatively cheap to feed, all while maintaining some sense of luxury and driving entertainment, the Rabbit offers an excellent mix of the aforementioned.
I'm not sure about the name change, as Volkswagen Rabbit always makes me think of the convertible-cheerleader-mobiles from high school, and that's not a positive connotation IMHO. Yes, I know, technically those cars were called "Cabriolet" -- whatever.
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- Karl Brauer June 25, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Fuel Efficiency, Volkswagen
May 22, 2008
I told you it was coming last week, now it's live and the final results are in.
The most interesting aspect of this test is that it accurately captured the miles-per-gallon results for distinctly different driving conditions. Most tests just lump all mpg figures together and say, "We got XX mpg in mixed driving." What exactly does "mixed" mean? For our fuel test we broke the results up and recorded fuel costs and gas useage for each segment of the driving loop. This makes it easy to see which of the competitors did well in each driving condition.
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- Karl Brauer May 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen
May 8, 2008
If put to a real-world test, which of these cars would get the best fuel mileage? That's the question we intended to answer with our test of a 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 (certified used) Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2008 Toyota Prius and 2008 Smart Fourtwo.
So we ran each of them through an identical test loop of close to 1,000 miles. The loop included everything from highway travel and constant speeds to stop-and-go driving in one of the most congested towns on the planet (not L.A.) to medium speeds on deserted two-lanes. When you put a diesel (Jetta) up against a hybrid (Prius) up against a traditional economy car (Focus) up against a...a -- well, whatever the Smart car is -- what do you get in terms of fuel mileage and fuel costs?
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- Karl Brauer May 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen
February 4, 2008
I've always generally liked the VW Touareg. This is despite the cumbersome name, questionable styling and quirky controls. It's generally more attractive than its platform-mate, the Porsche Cayenne (another vehicle I like despite styling issues), and both of them are exceedingly confident off road due to a capable all-wheel drive system and advanced, adjustable air suspension. Basically, it's a real SUV that happens to offer excellent on-road manners and passenger comfort. Sort of like a Land Rover that doesn't break down.
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- Karl Brauer February 4, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Volkswagen
January 4, 2008
I had an opportunity to drive a Volkswagen Jetta TDI last night. This isn't the first time I've driven a diesel VW. Back in 1998, when I first joined Edmunds.com, the "brand new" long-term car was a bright yellow 1998 New Beetle TDI. I only drove it a couple times, and I distinctly remember a frantic search for a diesel fuel pump in West L.A. as the gas gauge dropped to "E" and below. But I also remember liking the low-end torque and high fuel mileage. I've driven a few other TDI test cars in the years since, but it's been awhile.
Driving this Jetta diesel brought back memories of just how much sense these cars make. I know BMW will be showing a diesel X5 in Detroit in about a week. Mercedes is also preparing their 50-state legal system, and Honda should have diesel-powered models in showrooms in the next year. This Jetta reaffirmed my thinking that it's about time!
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- Karl Brauer January 4, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Volkswagen
October 5, 2007
Usually, being "the Cadillac" of something is good (well, it hasn't been all good all the time, but over the past few years it's gotten much better...). In this case, however, referencing a luxury brand known for its large size, heavy weight and cushy ride seems a bit contradictory to the Sport Compact segment -- which is why it makes perfect sense when discussing the 2008 Volkswagen R32.
Here you have a car with a bevy of luxury items as standard equipment, a luxurious interior with comfortable seats (at least by pocket rocket standards), a hefty curb weight and a high price tag. Problem is, most of these traits aren't what the typical sport compact customer is after. These shoppers typically want light, lean and low cost, leading me to question exactly who Volkswagen is targeting with the R32.
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- Karl Brauer October 5, 2007, 6:00 AM
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- Volkswagen
September 12, 2007
Here's the follow-up to our look at Europe's future product as predicted by Automotive News. Yesterday we hit Alfa Romeo through Maybach, so today we'll start with Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz: Lots of activity for 2008, most of which we've already seen (SLR Roadster, S65, all-new C-Class, etc.). Next year we get the C63 (457hp), a CLK convertible, an E-Class update, an SLK restyle and an SL freshen. In 2009 we get a CLS freshen, an AMG E-Class, an S-Class convertible and -- believe it or not -- a small crossover called the GLK.
Mini: The Clubman just debuted in Frankfurt, and we'll see how the small-car brands fares with a larger model. The new John Cooper Works model looks cool (and makes 207 horsepower while weighing 66 pounds less) and the convertible gets a full redesign, to catch up with the coupe, for 2009.
Porsche: Both the Boxster and the Cayman get freshened next year, while the titanic 911 GT2 debuts with 530 turbo-charged horsepower. A full redesign of the Cayenne happens in 2009, while Porsche's first sedan, the Panamera, hits town in 2010 (and yes, the company will still have a "soul" -- along with a stronger bottom line).
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- Karl Brauer September 12, 2007, 6:00 AM
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- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Smart Car, Volkswagen, Volvo
January 10, 2007
I just drove the "new" Volkswagen Rabbit, but I didn't learn anything new. Let's see: comfortable seats, upscale interior materials, communicative steering, capable (if a bit floppy) handling. Yup, it's the same four-door hatchback Volkswagen has been selling for years in this country. And if you want to make the "don't fix what ain't broke" argument, this vehicle proves your case...
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- Karl Brauer January 10, 2007, 12:27 PM
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- Volkswagen
October 2, 2006
Volkswagen...does it again (anyone remeber that ad line?). The Eos is just what the doctor ordered to help cure VW's woes. It takes everything VW has nailed down (great steering, comfortable seats, upscale interior appointments and a pumpin' sound system) and combines them with the latest trend in drop-tops -- a power-retractable hardtop. But the Eos goes one better by offering a sunroof within the retractable hardtop -- an industry first I believe (though cars like the Qvale Mangusta have had a similar, "targa" setting in-between roof up and roof down mode)...
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- Karl Brauer October 2, 2006, 8:35 AM
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- Volkswagen
August 17, 2006
I drove a Volkswagen Passat recently and took special note of the car's blue-purple gauges. Some people like this Jimi Hendrix-like shade for dash lighting, while others prefer the more traditional cool white or light lime color. Then there's Pontiac's (and Mazda's) neon red gauges that, one might argue, could potentially contribute to road rage. So what is the best gauge color?
Me?..
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- Karl Brauer August 17, 2006, 7:52 AM
- Categories:
- Car Audio and Technology, Volkswagen
May 26, 2006
Recent news out of Volkswagen says the 2007 Eos will start at $27,990. We just had a Pontiac G6 convertible in our test fleet last week (look for the road test to go live soon) and the Pontiac folks were delighted to point out how their car would be the cheapest retractable hardtop on the market -- starting at $28,490. We asked them about the upcoming Eos, and they told us, "Oh, that car will start around $30,000." Both of these prices are for the base models, with the upgraded G6 GTP convertible and 250hp V6 Eos jumping well into the 30s (before adding options), so the price will be close for both models either way. But VW has one other card to play that Pontiac can't match -- DSG. Check our Forums section for the latest Eos and G6 Convertible discussions...
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- Karl Brauer May 26, 2006, 7:19 AM
- Categories:
- Pontiac, Volkswagen
March 28, 2006
You've already heard the reaction to this car (if not, read our full test). Our feeling is that the new Jetta is a fine car, but it's no longer the benchmark-setting, class leading economy car it once was. Complaints have ranged from its Toyota-like styling to its lackluster drivetrain to its mediocre driving dynamics. I personally agree with all of these assessments, and feel the car has been transformed from a premium, semi-sporty sedan into a blatant Corolla knock-off. Correction -- an expensive Corolla knock-off. It still has a very upscale interior, but that's its only claim to greatness these days...
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- Karl Brauer March 28, 2006, 4:24 PM
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- Volkswagen
February 28, 2006
I've never owned a GTI, but I know this model is credited for being the first pocket rocket from waaaay back in 1983 (I wasn't even old enough to drive back then). I did eventually own two Dodge Shadow CSXs (a 1987 and a 1989 model), and I consider those cars, plus about a dozen other inexpensive performance econoboxes, as clear descendents of the first GTI. I just drove the "new" 2006 version home, and it conjured the same ear-to-ear grin and unstoppable giggles the first models did. The engine offers a wide, rich blend of torque and horsepower, and the steering, while typically teutonic heavy, is very direct and informative. The car actually feels a bit weighty and wallowy when driven at a relaxed pace, but that's just because your brain tells you that any vehicle this comfortable and confident will probably not handle very well on twisty roads.
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- Karl Brauer February 28, 2006, 7:32 PM
- Categories:
- Volkswagen
