WomanOnWheels.ca

In Review: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Even though many buyers are going for small SUVs, there's still a market for the compact sedan, and the Volkswagen Jetta is a contender in the segment. Find out more in my review at Driving.ca.

In Review: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The regular Volkswagen Golf is no longer sold in Canada, but you can still get a GTI (and a Golf R) and what a fun thing it is indeed. Well, except when you want to adjust anything...find out more in my review at Driving.ca.

In Review: Kia Seltos vs Toyota Corolla Cross vs Volkswagen Taos

Three little hatchbacks, all in the same segment but with differences in price, power, and driving feel. Which one wins? Find out in our comparison at Driving.ca.

In Review: 2022 Volkswagen Taos

Volkswagen's newest and smallest SUV is the Taos, and it's going to be a good station wagon substitute for many drivers. It has a couple of rough edges, but overall, I like it - find out more in my review at Driving.ca.

In Review: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Consumers are increasingly getting into SUVs, but I still like sedans, and I still like the Volkswagen Jetta. Find out why in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

In Review: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

I usually hand back a test vehicle and look forward to the next one, but I was reluctant to return the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. It's bigger than I personally need, but it's extremely roomy and comfortable, and a pleasure to drive. Find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

Do you remember these eight short-lived cars?

Sometimes automakers hit home runs with their vehicles, and then sometimes -- they don't. I've rounded up eight vehicles that didn't resonate with buyers in my story at Driving.ca. 

In Review: 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen's Tiguan has always been a favorite of mine: it drives well, its seats are supportive, and it's a nice size. And that stays the same, as long as you don't opt for my tester's pricey and pointless third-row seat. Find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

First Drive: 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Sport Cross

Many sport-utilities stuff in three rows of seats, including Volkswagen's Atlas -- but a lot of people just want five chairs, and so the company has pared down the Atlas slightly to create the Sport Cross. Find out more in my story over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In review: 2019 Volkswagen Arteon

I think a lot of buyers are going to overlook the Volkswagen Arteon, and that's a shame: the company has turned out a lovely car with this one. Find out more in my review at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Building the last Volkswagen Beetles

After the original air-cooled Beetle was laid to rest, a new front-engine one took its place. And now it's riding off into the sunset as well. I went to the plant in Puebla, Mexico and did some hands-on work on the line. Find out more in my story at AutoTrader.ca.

Worthersee Treffen: Austria's everything-Volkswagen meet

For almost four decades, Volkswagen GTI fans have ascended on a tiny town in Austria to show off their cars, and it's one big crazy street party devoted to everything automotive. Find out more in my story at AutoTrader.ca.

First Drive: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

I took it on the famous Tail of the Dragon highway in North Carolina, where it took those 318 curves just like butter. It could benefit from more power, but its super-smooth driving performance will appeal to those who like their sporty sedans to be far over on the civilized side. Find out more in my story at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In review: 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf

It's a Golf car, not a golf cart. Volkswagen's all-electric does a great job of getting you around and without feeling much different than most conventional cars -- and that's exactly what some buyers want. (For the record, I drove a 2017 model, but it's unchanged for 2018.) Find out more in my review at the National Post.

In Review: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

I find the styling changes from the last-generation Jetta to this one aren't as radical as with many makeovers, but this new model is comfortable and a really decent driver. Find out more in my review over at AutoTrader.

Volkswagen Beetle: Originally unwanted, now a treasure

Fifty years ago, a pushy salesman got Julian Stewart to buy a Volkswagen Beetle he didn't want. Today, it's a prized member of the family. Find out more in my story at the National Post.

Volkswagen's new Tiguan and its all-new engine

Volkswagen has an all-new 2.0-litre engine coming out that uses some pretty neat technology to increase torque while reducing fuel consumption, and it's going to first use it in the all-new 2018 Tiguan. I got a chance for a very quick drive it in -- check out my story at the National Post.

In review: 2017 Volkswagen Passat V6

It's quite a step up in price from the four-cylinder, but I like the V6-powered Passat nevertheless, and if you're going to treat yourself, it's worth a test-drive against the smaller engine. Find out more in my review at AutoTrader.

In review: 2017 Volkswagen Golf

Yes, it's vanilla, but it's damn good vanilla. The Golf is one of those cars where nothing stands out, but it all works together to produce a truly decent driver. Find out more in my review at AutoTrader.

What's the best compact hatchback?

Okay, so you've got seven compact hatchbacks: Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla iM, and Volkswagen Golf. Which one's the best? I was one of the writers tasked with finding out -- see what won over at AutoTrader.

In review: 2017 Volkswagen Passat

No diesel, and perhaps never again, but I still like the Passat for its roominess and, in my car, a very sweet V6 engine. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

In review: Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon

They're a rare breed these days, but I like wagons, and Volkswagen makes a very good one. There's no diesel right now, and no telling when (or if) there will be one again, but it's still a great drive and very practical. Find out more in my review over at the National Post.

And to note: This car was named the Best New Family Car for 2016 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - find out more!

Diesel + station wagon = bliss

I'm already a fan of Volkswagen's diesel engine, but when you put it into a Golf Sportwagon, magic happens. Find out more in my review at the Toronto Star.

First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI

While the 2015 Golf and GTI don't look way-out-there radically-different from the models they replace, the interior and the driving dynamics are considerably improved. Find out more in my report over at the Toronto Star.

2012 Beetle: Nice, but no longer cute as a Bug

The new Beetle - which is no longer the New Beetle - is a nice car to drive, but alas, it's lost that funky charm that made the last model so much fun. Read my review in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

VW Jetta diesel: Great under the hood, not so much inside the doors ...

Volkswagen's Jetta is redesigned for 2011, and while I absolutely love the diesel engine (carried over from the last model), I'm not as impressed with the cheaper interior and feel of the car. Read all about it in Autos.ca by clicking here.

The Routan: Tell it like it is

Volkswagen Canada has announced the introduction of the 2009 Routan, following its unveiling at the auto show in Toronto earlier this year. (As for the name, all I can think of is Routan -- now available without a prescription! But I digress ...)

From the press release: It features a unique European-tuned suspension and steering matched for handling and improved driving dynamics in the tradition of Volkswagen's German engineering heritage ... Instantly recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, with its stylized front grille and exterior treatments ... Starting at $27,975, the 2009 Routan becomes the most affordable 7-seat import nameplate van in Canada.

Come on, guys. I know the folks at the top want you to play up the German engineering angle, but it's a Chrysler Town & Country with a different badge. We know it. You know we know it. Give us some credit here.

Plant a tree: It's the new thing to do

Volkswagen has announced that it will build a new plant near Chattanooga, Tennessee, to produce a midsize sedan designed for the North American market.

From the press release: Environmental responsibility is a core value of the Volkswagen Group ... As an expression of this shared commitment, the state of Tennessee, Volkswagen and Chattanooga-area organizations are partnering to distribute two saplings for every tree displaced by the project. The new trees will be planted by local school children.

The cockles of my heart are warm enough to toast bread right now. Call me a cynic (go ahead, I'll wait), but we're building a manufacturing facility to produce 150,000 gasoline-burning vehicles each year, obviously knocking down some forests to do so, and schoolchildren putting in some saplings is going to make it all better? Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of carbon credits and tree plantings and all the other "feel-good" stuff that tries to make industry look much better than it is. As far as I'm concerned, "green" is the color of my living room walls, and "greening" is not a word. I think I'd have more respect for them if they just said look, it's business, it's going to affect the environment but it's the best we can do. Honesty is always the best policy.

Presenting the ChryWagen

This is a Routan.

Now, you probably haven't heard of it before, although you're thinking it looks familiar. It's from Volkswagen, sort of, and it's pronounced ROO-tan. Yes, the same folks who gave us Tiguan and Touareg, and could use some new staff in the naming department. Routan -- now available without a prescription! But I digress ...

Anyway, I just got back from the Toronto Auto Show press preview, where VW took the wraps off the stunning Passat CC (think Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, but hopefully with a lower price tag) and the Routan. If that one looks familiar, that's because Chrysler builds it alongside the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country on behalf of VW. (Instead of Routan, maybe they could have called it a Vodge. Or a ChryWagen.)

I wish VW all the luck in the world with it, but really, what were they thinking? The traditional minivan market used to be a license to print money, but that's all changed. You want to do well in this shrinking segment, you make something really inexpensive, like a base Caravan, or a Hyundai Entourage, or a Kia Sedona, because people know it's just going to end up covered in kidspit and dog hair. Sure, the pricier Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are great pieces of engineering, but those two combined sold just under 22,000 copies last year in Canada, compared to 56,572 Dodge and Chrysler vans.

VW should have learned a lesson with the Phaeton, which they wouldn't have been able to keep in stock if they'd released it as an Audi: it's damn tough to sell a $100,000 car that has the same badge as a $16,000 Golf. While pricing hasn't been released, I'm betting the bank that this minivan is going to have a higher sticker than its Caravan twin. Sure, it'll have a nicer interior and "sport-tuned suspension" (be careful you don't tip the groceries when carving corners), but it's a Dodge with a VW badge. Call me crazy, but I think buyers just might figure that out.