| The automotive market has been shifting quickly over | | | | Golf (formerly called the Rabbit). This impressive |
| the past year. Since the problems that the recession | | | | package is exhilarating to drive and easy to live with. It |
| caused for auto sales, down huge numbers over | | | | delivers the agile handling, spirited acceleration, and |
| 2008-09, fuel efficiency and progression have been | | | | responsive steering of a true sports car, along with a |
| primary focuses for manufacturers across the globe, | | | | decent ride, a well- finished interior, and the |
| and Pugi VW has been very quick to jump on the | | | | cargo-carrying practicality of a hatchback. Good fuel |
| bandwagon. It isn't like Volkswagen wasn't poised for | | | | economy of 27 mpg overall is another plus, although |
| the consumer market's shift towards smaller, more fuel | | | | premium fuel is required. Price: $27,504." |
| efficient vehicles; the manufacturer has had a | | | | The rankings for the Top Picks were based on three |
| penchant for the small car segment for as long as it | | | | difficult but crucial categories, and Pugi VW drivers |
| has been around. Still, VW Downers Grove drivers | | | | were pleased to hear that their beloved GTI had come |
| were pleasantly surprised to hear about some of the | | | | out on top. The first of the categories was a road |
| praise that the new VW GTI has gotten in recent | | | | testing rating, based on more than 50 tests and |
| months. | | | | evaluations that the GTI handled easily. Downers |
| As one of the biggest accomplishments a | | | | Grove VW drivers helped out with the second |
| manufacturer can receive from a consumer | | | | category, a reliability ranking, that was definitively based |
| standpoint, Consumer Reports' Top Picks list is a huge | | | | on consumer reviews of how reliable each car has |
| achievement because it doesn't simply mean that auto | | | | proven to be. And the final test? One of the most |
| experts picked the vehicle. It means that the actual | | | | important features to have in a car – safety – |
| consumer, the everyday American driving your | | | | represented the final ranking. Safety ratings were |
| automobile off Pugi VW lots, had some nearly flawless | | | | based on data collected by both government and |
| things to say about the car. Earning the Top Pick rating | | | | insurance organizations in independent testing. Top |
| in the small sedan category, the GTI has bested a | | | | Picks also must have electronic stability control as an |
| market that more and more manufacturers are dipping | | | | available feature. |
| into. There is a lot of competition in the small car | | | | With so many crucial categories represented, the Top |
| segment, and Downers Grove VW dealers are proud | | | | Picks rankings take into account many of the most |
| to say that the GTI came out victorious. | | | | important factors that consumers evaluate before |
| For such a small car, Consumer Reports certainly had | | | | making a new car purchase. As an avid fan of small |
| some big things to say about the GTI. "Freshened for | | | | cars, that gives me some faith in the reliability of the |
| 2010, the GTI is the sporty version of the Volkswagen | | | | Consumer Reports Top Picks ranking system. |