Volkswagen Golf GTI takes center stage on latest Talking Cars show

Now in its seventh-generation, the redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI was eagerly awaited here at the Consumer Reports test track. We’ve long been fans of the original hot hatch’s blend of fun and utility. But it turns out that one of our staff members—Mike Quincy—was decidedly nonplussed after driving our newly-purchased test car over a long holiday weekend. Gabe Shenhar, Ryan Pszczolkowski, and I spend a good amount of this episode investigating why Mike was so down on the car. (Check out our initial VW GTI review.)

Then we move on to viewer questions. One very patient viewer finally gets his question answered about choosing a luxurious three-row SUV: Dodge Durango or Mercedes-Benz GL? Another question deals with three less-than-great vehicles picked by his newly licensed son. Finally, we help a viewer who wants an American sedan with all-wheel-drive.

Check out the discussion in the video above.

As with the other shows, this episode is also available free through the iTunes store. Subscribe to the video or audio. You'll also find the video on YouTube.

Also view:
"Talking Cars" Episode 37: Hyundai Genesis, Sonata
"Talking Cars" Episode 36: Video podcast gets recalled, talks GM
"Talking Cars" Episode 35: Chevrolet Corvette vs. Porsche 911
"Talking Cars" Episode 34: Tesla patents, Ford fuel economy
"Talking Cars" Episode 33: Mini Cooper, German engineering, and more
"Talking Cars" Episode 32: The worst car ever
"Talking Cars" Episode 31: New test cars, from big to small
"Talking Cars" Episode 30: 2014 New York auto show

—Tom Mutchler

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