What features are available on the VW Rabbit? I’m just curious about it. I might, just might, go inside one of the VW dealers here in Texas tomorrow.

Brenda

Houston, TX

Hi there, Brenda. The VW is primarily designed as Volkswagen’s entry-level compact. Performance-wise you can expect, or should expect, a decent fuel economy rating. As far ride and zippiness is concerned, we’ll pile up the facts for you to read below. Looking from afar, I think this compact needs a wee bit more pushing for you just before you drive it in Texas.

You have a choice for the Rabbit: go 2-door and just ride all by yourself and a friend, or get a 4-door. In any case, you’d still get a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engine. I originally thought the fuel economy on this will be similar to the New Beetle’s 28 miles to a gallon on the highway and 20 miles per gallon in the city. But checking on the ratings, the economy was a whopping 30 miles to a gallon on the highway. In terms of space, it is a compact, so don’t expect a lot from it. But even with the two-door model, the VW engineers had enough foresight to put in a 60/40 split and a flat folding passenger seat for the driver to accommodate more gear inside the car. Standard safety features are also available to ensure your drive will always be a safe one.

I’m curious about the Touareg SUV from Volkswagen. I am pretty sure it will be different from the other SUVs I see around Houston, TX. An SUV with the all-familiar VW stamp? Can anyone give me a push to get one?

Samantha

Houston, TX

Okay, Samantha, I will try to fill you in on some information you may already know but have not really thought about seriously. I think, usually, we get an SUV based on the following criteria: enough room for the family or anything you would like to put inside the car, and does the car have enough power to haul everything. I left out fuel economy. Since you decided that you will get an SUV, for me, it automatically means that you are not exactly looking at doing more than 21 miles per gallon while driving around Houston, Texas.

Since you mentioned “different,” there are some worthwhile features you should check when you look at the Touareg. Style-wise, I think the VW stamp alone makes it different. For some technical features, you can also put Volkswagen’s permanent four-wheel drive, called the 4Xmotion, through its paces. If you can get to test drive the Touareg 2, then much better. Personal tip, though. If you won’t be doing a lot of off-roading, I suggest that you can consider the V6 engine variant as the logical choice for your needs. The V6 engine gives about 280 horsepower to carry you, and whatever you have in your Touareg around. You can get 18 miles to a gallon in city driving and 20 on the highway, and of course, almost a 10,000-dollar difference from the V8 variant.

Temperature here in Houston, Texas can sometimes go extremely hot, what options do I have to keep my Volkswagen Car in good running condition?

Sheryl

Houston, TX

Probably one of the most painful experiences in my driving life is getting stalled on a highway in Houston, Texas with the sun burning my skin and my head. I would not forget that day when my Volkswagen Golf had an engine overheat. That experience taught me a lesson to regularly check the cooling system of my Volkswagen. I knew then for a fact that my car is almost at its dehydration point.

This one is also applicable to any car make that you or other people may have. Having the engine cooling system in good shape is really the key for an enjoyable driving style. It does not only give comfortable feeling to the driver while cruising down the highway under the summer heat but it also prolongs the function of your engine. In the case of Volkswagen, according to my Dad, who is by the way a Volkswagen auto mechanic, this type of car has sensitive cooling system that it requires regular cooling parts replacement and tuning. So keeping the main cooling system parts such as the hoses, thermostats and pumps could be your key in having a longer driving relationship with your Volkswagen vehicle. Since then, I make it a point to regularly check these three components and make sure they are not yet damaged or worn out. It is also one great idea to get a car insurance that has options for unexpected car systems breakdown. You sure can check some car insurance premiums and details on this site.