I found the fall issue of Consumer Reports new car magazine while grocery shopping today and sneaked a peak. They have a graphic of the most to least reliable car brands and VW is in the middle one spot behind Honda. I think my brother still subscribes to CR so might be able to borrow his copy and upload a picture here if that is allowed.
Also for the second time this year (in both their spring and fall editions) the regular Golf and GTI received their "Recommended" rating.
I have friend who works for Honda, swears by their engines, s'pecially the VTEC unit which apparently 'is a beaut of a motor', the rest of the car(s) not so much, in fact he reccomended I stick with VW....