2012 Volkswagen America Buying Advice

2009-volkswagen-passat-interior

The goal of the 2012 Volkswagen America seems to be a well-equipped "base" car that doesn't feel or look it. The 2009 Volkswagen Passat is shown here.

A Notable Feature of the 2012 Volkswagen America

The 2012 Volkswagen America is intended to be a mainstream, midsize family sedan, so don't look for much in the way of technical novelties. The most notable things about it will be a "Made-in-America" label and aesthetics presumably more in tune with U.S. tastes than the VW norm.

Buying Advice for the 2012 Volkswagen America

Assuming the price is right and the car itself passes competitive muster, the 2012 Volkswagen America should be a good alternative to the Consumer Guide Best Buy Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu. But don't forget the Consumer Guide Recommended picks in this class, namely the ever-popular Toyota Camry, the Hyundai Sonata, and Malibu-cousin Saturn Aura. Whatever your choice, today's economy almost guarantees that dealers will be offering discounts and other incentives. A caution about the Aura: It's a good product, but with Saturn seemingly headed for the "orphan brand" heap, an Aura will likely be worth far less at trade-in time than any class rival, new VW included.

2012 Volkswagen America Release Date: Assuming the Chattanooga plant opens on schedule, the America could be on sale by summer or fall of 2011.

2012 Volkswagen America First Test Drive: The above timing, if it holds, suggests media previews in the second or third quarter of 2011. We suspect the intro will come in Chattanooga, not only so VW can show off its new factory but also because the area has some very nice driving roads that could be used to highlight the America's performance and dynamic abilities.

2012 Volkswagen America Prices: Based on VW's promised price-positioning and intel from one very reliable spy, we think the 2012 Volkswagen America will start at around $20,500 and top out near $27,000, not counting options. If we're right, a base America would cost roughly the same as a mid-line 2009 Jetta sedan and some $1,300 less than an '09 Passat sedan. However, this range could be moved lower or higher, depending on how VW wants to bridge the fairly wide price gap that now exists between the Jetta and Passat lineups.


For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:
  • C­onsumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
  • Volkswagen: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
  • Midsize Cars: The 2012 Volkswagen America will compete in the midsize car class. Here's Consumer Guide's roundup of all the midsize cars on sale today.
  • 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners:
    Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
  • Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.