While US Sales Continue To Struggle… VW Offers An Impressive Line-Up

Volkswagen US sales are up recently with impressive 8.1 and 5.6% bumps respectively in May and June. Unfortunately VW is still off 2.6 percent in sales year-to-date over 2014 and permutations of the popular Golf are doing most of the heavy lifting. VW is a dominant brand globally with a 2018 target to become the biggest carmaker in the world. And yet in the US its name brand is perennially challenged.

The quandary is that despite slack sales, the VW line-up is quite impressive and offers the right combination of performance, economy and premium amenities. The amazingly strong test drive performance of the VW models underscores the dilemma.

The Golf R classic little VW hatchback packs a 292 horsepower boosted 2 liter turbo four engine. The suspension is taut and tuned, steering is precise and interior comfort is exceptional with firm but comfy sport seating and just enough touches of red stitching and leather trim details to help support the high price headed just shy of $40,000.

Meanwhile, the versatile new Golf Sportwagen and the smartly restyled mid-sized Jetta GLI sedan share the VW sporting spirit and seem well suited to American needs and tastes.