By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Volkswagen's sales in North America have been struggling. We think that's because the German automaker has been slow to bring its new and improved vehicles, vehicles that Europeans get months and even years before we do.

After driving the all-new 2015 GTI (which have been cruising German highways since November 2012) we’re thrilled that the new Golf lineup is finally here because the newest version of the iconic hatchback is among the best in the compact car ranks.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Volkswagen Jetta has been powered by a couple of noteworthy engines and a couple that weren’t so noteworthy over the last half dozen years. Our favorites have been the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower, and the fuel efficient 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Unfortunately, the turbocharged 2.0-liter was not carried over to the newest generation Jetta in 2011.For 2014 the award-winning diesel is still available, as is an all-new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that offers a winning combination of excellent gas mileage and noteworthy performance.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The new Volkswagen Beetle convertible offers iconic open-air cruising at its best. And as rewarding as it was to go "topless" on an unusually warm winter day, the newest rendition of the soft-top Bug proved more impressive to us driving with its lid closed.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Forty miles on a gallon of gas has become the new benchmark for compact cars propelled by an internal combustion engine without help from an electric motor or a charging cord. This is the lofty goal in 2012 for bragging rights and increased sales — and to bring manufacturers closer to new gas mileage standards looming ahead.

This makes the Volkswagen Jetta TDI an interesting choice in the compact segment because of its exceptional miles per gallon combined with the kind of performance simply not available in the base four-cylinder gas engines powering such popular names plates as the Chevrolet Cruz, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback is one of the most enjoyable small cars to come our way, a satisfying piece of engineering with a go-fast demeanor that should suit virtually everyone who has the good fortune to slip behind the wheel.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Volkswagen's North American strategy over the past couple of years has been to build larger and less expensive cars with generic styling designed to appeal to the largest audience possible. The strategy has worked. VW sales have steadily risen with the revamped compact Jetta and the totally remade mid-sized Passat doing the heavy lifting.

Fortunately for those of us who admire cutting-edge design and top-shelf build quality, Volkswagen continues to offer the gorgeous CC mid-sized sedan.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It's lively, agile, and excitingly fun to drive making the compact Volkswagen Tiguan crossover a driveway delight. It's no mystery why it's popularity has steadily grown over nearly four years on the market.

Tiguan sales nearly doubled from its first full year of production in 2009 when about 14,000 units left showrooms to 2011 when  sales hit 26,000. Growth continues in 2012 after a mid-cycle refreshening. Through the first four months of 2012, the Tiguan is on track to hit between 35,000 and 40,000 sales.