This is flawed logic on VW's part. First of all, one of the Passat's biggest selling points was that it offered things you couldn't previously get on a Camry or Accord, such as awd or a wagon. Also, Toyota does make a Camry wagon now.... it's called the Venza...and it is available with awd. Likewise, Honda makes an Accord wagon (Crosstour). Oh, and by the way, the wagon accounts for a good 20% of total Jetta sales.

 

I agree. You're preaching to the choir on this one. Auto-marketers can drive me up the wall. Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, boozing and doping, sometimes talk more sense.

 

The looks of this car remind me of the b5 passat, the one from98- 03 i think it was, really squared off and a little boring. I loved the last generation passat and did consider buying one, now it just seems lacking

 

Yes, it is a little lacking in some areas, but not a bad car, and generally a pleasure to drive.

 

Next planned reviews:

2012 Subaru Impreza
2012 Toyota Camry XLE or Hybrid
2012 Ford Escape

 

I would suggest you add the Prius V to this list.

 

I reviewed a 3Gen Prius V when it first came out.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...ota-prius.html

I had a lot of respect for the powertrain and its efficiency/refinement, but I wasn't very impressed with the rest of the car. Overall, I thought the 2Gen Prius was built more solidly, with better materials, although the new one, with its slightly stiffer suspension and tires, handled slightly better. But I pefered the softer ride of the old one, too.

(This was a controversial thead, BTW....not everyone agreed with my opinions) .

 

MMARSHALL - I was referring to the Prius V wagon which debuts in September (please see the pic below). The "V" stands for "versatility". Your review was on the Prius hatch where the "V" represents the trim level, which ranges from II (2) to V (5).

 

OK....Thanks for clarifying that. I'll put the V wagon on the list.

The "V" designation for two different body-styles, though, is a little confusing. Toyota needs to consider re-naming the new wagon something else.

 

Do an addendum with the tdi. A friend has a Jetta tdi/manual and gets 36 mpg in town and 44 on the hghway. She doesn't hypermile drive either, in fact she's kind of aggresive wiith shifts and acceleration.

 

Agreed. Either rename the wagon, or change the names of the trim levels on the hatchback. Oh, and thanks for adding the Prius V to your review list.

 

Yes, I've already told another poster that I'd do a TDI Passat if possible. In the meantime, though, I've already reviewed several VW/Audi products with that engine.

 

Thanks. I did notice you held it in high regards. I guess I'm really just interested in the spirit of the little deisel in a little heavier car as a DD.

 

The proper name of the new Prius wagon in North America is "Prius v" (note the lower-case "v" which is usually italicized by Toyota). Unfortunately, the media very often gets it wrong, which adds to the confusion.

The trim levels for the Prius v will be named with numerical numbers (2, 3 and 5). I don't know if the original Prius' trim levels will be renamed from the current Roman numerals to match the new wagon's trim levels.

 

I should have added my vote for reviews of the Prius v wagon and the new Camry Hybrid. I am very seriously considering a hybrid as a replacement for my wife's Civic or my Corolla.