Consumer Reports are not your regular car reviewers. They buy from the dealer, long term test and usually sample the basic models people actually buy. Just yesterday, for example, they took a chainsaw to the idea that the new Lexus IS is a wonderfully sporty car and said the IS 250 that 80% of people actually can afford is not good at all.
As for their latest first drive, this concerns the latest Volkswagen Golf model, the MkVII. It was launched in Germany back in 2012, but will only reach US consumers next summer, probably in July. Volkswagen USA brought over a few Euro-spec cars, including this 150 PS (147 hp) 2-liter TDI which Consumer Reports is testing.
Despite being an efficient and really well built car, the Golf VII is far from being a sure-fire sales success. In America, people view small hatchbacks as cheap, lackluster cars, like the Japanese econoboxes from the 80s. But VW makes a premium hatchback.
The resident reviewer from Consumer Reports says you only see Golfs at university parking lots and at Wholefood's. Hopefully for Volkswagen, that will change, because their sales have not been that good in 2013.
Despite being an efficient and really well built car, the Golf VII is far from being a sure-fire sales success. In America, people view small hatchbacks as cheap, lackluster cars, like the Japanese econoboxes from the 80s. But VW makes a premium hatchback.
The resident reviewer from Consumer Reports says you only see Golfs at university parking lots and at Wholefood's. Hopefully for Volkswagen, that will change, because their sales have not been that good in 2013.