Consumer Reports 2011

[wimpog]

Originally Posted by RTEREMI

Consumer Reports has given ‘recommend’ status to Golf (both gas and TDI) and to both versions of the Jetta wagon, the Jetta is not listed as a ‘recommended’. They don’t compete directly against each other, so they are not rated or ranked against each other.

The Golf TDI is the top rated ‘Fuel efficient hatchbacks’ and the TDI JSW is rated 2nd behind the Mazda 5, and the gas JSW is rated 4th in the same category 'wagons'. The gas Golf is top rated in the category of ‘Small hatchbacks/wagons’.

Also consider looking at Edmunds, MSN as those sites are free and offer different opinions. All agree in giving favorable ratings to both the Golf and the JSW.

Thank you for that. I'm planning on getting a JSW TDI. I have checked edmunds and MSN, but CR is just another source. Doesn't JSW use the same platform as Golf? Perhaps that's the reason that Jetta has lower ratings – uses different platform.

[leroyal]

Pretty cool, since CR has always hated VW'S.

[ChrisHo]

Originally Posted by leroyal

Pretty cool, since CR has always hated VW'S.

I have always found their ratings to have valid reasons. I especially love looking back and seeing how particular models did each year; its better when you know someone with the same year/model and it matches up.

I love the mileage of my TDI, I am not keen on keeping it past warranty.

[kghoult]

Yes. Good information.

I have owned several BMWs in the past and they weren't as reliable as a Toyota......but that is the point, they WEREN'T Toyotas. They were much more fun just like my Jetta and my "problems" were never as bad as CR reported.

Always take CR with a grain of salt. They ONLY evaluate # of complaints, etc. They don't evaluate the entire experience of owning the vehicle.

[Frank M]

Originally Posted by kghoult

Always take CR with a grain of salt. They ONLY evaluate # of complaints, etc. They don't evaluate the entire experience of owning the vehicle.

EXACTLY !!

And most Toyota owners will not recognize the driving experience, just the fact that it broke or wasn't smooth when driving turns them off.