Volkswagen Road Tests Articles

2007 VW Passat 3.6 - Long Term Update

Zero To 1974 In Three Seconds more

2007 VW Passat 3.6 - Long Term Update

An Affair With Something Dark And Handsome more

2007 VW Passat 4Motion - Long Term Intro

The 2007 Volkswagen Passat 4Motion featuring 3.6-liter V6, dohc, 24-valve, 280 hp @ 6200 rpm. more

2006 VW Jetta 2.OT - Long Term Wrap

Read the long term report on how the 2006 VW Jetta was before and after performance upgrades. more

2006 VW Jetta 2.0T - Long Term Update

Check out the condition updates on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 - Long-Term Update

That Special FeelingThis is the first time I've tried writing an article from a vehicle's back seat, (stop chuckling). I'm telli more

2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T - Long Term Update

In a parallel universe far, far away, there's a German-built compact car called a Golf. It's known as a hatchback or five-door and it reigns supreme in its class. Policemen drive around in it. So do mothers, young couples, doctors, insurance salesmen, photogra more

2006 Volkswagen Jetta Long -Term Test Intro

In part one of this multi-part series, we introduce our 2006 Volkswagen Jetta long-term test car. You can read about this VW throughout the rest of the year. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Long Term Update

Rob Hallstrom carries the keys to our 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton this month and totes some certified Mercedes-Benz fans; read about their impressions. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Long Term Test Update

We've logged 11,208 miles in our 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton. Find out the details of how it's been treating us. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Long-Term Update: Part 6

Another staffer gets some seat time in our 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton and gives his impression. more

Volkswagen Phaeton V8

Engineering Editor, Jay Chen, talks about his 6 months of experience with Volkswagen Phaeton cars. more

Volkswagen Phaeton V8 Long Term Test Update

Senior Editor, Karl Funke, discusses his time in our 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Long-Term test car. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Long Term Test Introduction

From our long-term tester responses, the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton has impressed more than a few with this gorgeous piece of machinery. I know, because I'm one of them. more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 - Long-Term Update

I am the antithesis of the jaded automotive journalist used to driving new or long-term cars on a regular basis. I feel like a k more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 - Long-Term Update

Driving the Phaeton around surface streets in Southern California has made something clear to me: It's too good for surface stre more

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 - Long-Term Intro

A VW dealer print campaign for the Phaeton asks, "What have we been smoking?" I can just imagine Dr. Piech and crew sitting arou more

2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 - Long-Term Update

Great execution; bad concept. Volkswagen's eight-cylinder Passat is a car I've wanted to unreservedly love, but ultimately I've more

Long-Term Update: 2003 Passat W8

Great execution; bad concept. Volkswagen's eight-cylinder Passat is a car I've wanted to unreservedly love, but ultimately I've had to merely like it...though I like it a lot. more

2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Update

You are not quite the man or woman off the street--you know cars, you like cars--but you drive this one with no expectation, only the evident feedback from the seats, the steering, the engine...and if you did that, you would recognize that this Passat W8 is a more

Long-term Update: 2003 VW Passat W8

For anyone familiar with horse racing, the use of the phrase, "post time," will make perfect sense. For those who may think it has to do with the mail, let's be generous and say that both definitions apply to the new Passat W8. more

2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Part 1: Intro

If you combined "eight-cylinder engines" and "Volkswagens" in the same sentence a few years ago, you'd have been meet with either stares of incredulity or outright guffaws. The people's car company was known for outfitting its cars with small, peppy four-bange more

2001 VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition Part 5: Update

With this fifth installment of our long-term 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, each of the magazine's staff has had a considerable amount of seat time (as indicated by the 15,000-plus miles on the odometer). Within this period, the W.E. has proven to be quite soli more

2001 VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition Part 2: Update

Astute readers will note this is not the same long-term Jetta 1.8T we introduced in the February 2001 issue of European Car. Unfortunately, that shiny-red Jetta didn't stay in our long-term fleet for long--it was severely damaged after Sport Compact Car editor more

2001 VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition Part 6: Wrap-up

The Jetta MkIV is "just right," as Goldilocks would say. As European cars have increased in luxury and sophistication across the board, the Jetta and its fraternal twin, the Golf, have kept pace, moving upmarket from competitors such as the Honda Civic and Toy more