Volkswagen car reviews

1999 on

Hatchback 1999 on

• Instantly recognisable, funky image, low running costs, available with a TDI engine
• Very cramped in the back, small and awkwardly shaped boot, dated looking interior

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Cabriolet 2003 on

• Iconic style, easy to open roof, well built, economical TDI available
• Cramped in the back, limited and tricky to access boot space, lacks refinement, roof looks ugly when folded down

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1999 to 2005

Saloon 1999 to 2005

• Well built, good to drive
• Dull styling, poor equipment levels

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2008 on

Estate 2008 on

• High quality cabin, masses of passenger space, can seat seven, large boot, sliding side doors
• Van-like appearance, rearmost seat difficult to remove, other people carriers are more user-friendly inside

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2005 on

Estate 2005 on

• Less expensive to buy than a proper motorhome, top quality fittings, strong TDI engine
• Lacks the charm of the original 'Camper Van', high prices

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2003 on

Estate 2003 on

• Comfortable and spacious interior, well equipped, high quality, strong TDI engines, sliding rear side doors
• Firm ride, expensive for a van-based people carrier, dated dashboard design

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1989 to 1996

Coupe 1989 to 1996

• Handling; engines; muscular styling
• Firm ride

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2006 on

Coupe Cabriolet 2006 on

• Stylish looks, built-in sunroof, superbly built, metal folding roof, excellent refinement, Bluemotion version available
• Drab cabin design, roof isn't particularly quick to fold down

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2006 on

Hatchback 2006 on

• Easy to drive in town, cheapest Volkswagen model, cheap to run
• Mediocre levels of standard equipment, drab interior, lacks fun to drive feel of many other small car

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2009 on

Hatchback 2009 on

• Supremely refined, upmarket interior, good choice of efficient engines, low-emission Bluemotion model available
• Not particularly striking to look at, expensive compared to similarly equipped alternatives

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GTI 2009 on

• Outstanding blend of performance, agility, comfort and practicality
• Not as quick outright as many alternatives, less overtly sporty styling than some

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Plus 2009 on

• Easy to drive and park, plenty of rear passenger room, excellent build quality, good choice of economical engines
• Really a facelift of the old model rather than an all new car

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Estate 2009 on

• Impressively large boot, refined ride, high-quality interior, economical engines, good to drive
• Rear legroom somewhat limited, essentially a facelift of the previous model

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R 2010 on

• Storming performance, great usable power, aggressive looks, superbly agile and poised in corners, four-wheel-drive traction
• Stiff ride, expensive even compared to a GTI

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2004 to 2009

Hatchback 2004 to 2008

• Great engines, well finished and spacious interior, comfortable, good to drive
• Expensive compared to similar hatchbacks, noisy diesels

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Estate 2007 to 2009

• Reliable and well built, large boot space, available with frugal TDI engines, comfortable interior
• Similarly priced seven-seat Touran offers more for family buyers

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GTI 2005 to 2008

• Great performance, fun to drive, easy to live with, iconic badge
• Expensive compared to some hot hatches and not as quick either

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Plus 2005 to 2008

• More versatile and roomier than a standard Golf, excellent build quality, wide choice of engines
• Not as practical as a true people carrier, dull looks

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R32 2005 to 2008

• Discreet performance, great handling
• Offers little more than the outstanding Golf GTI, thirsty engine

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1997 to 2005

Hatchback 1997 to 2004

• Strong residuals, reputation for quality, comfortable on the move, neat design
• SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia do the same for less, not as good to drive as the Focus

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Estate 1999 to 2005

• Quality, unrivalled interior, comfort, safety
• Passenger space, Passat is a better estate for similar money

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1992 to 2001

Hatchback 1992 to 1998

• Quality, reputation; reliability
• Little chance of finding a bargain

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Cabriolet 1994 to 2001

• Quality, reputation; reliability
• No diesel

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1981 to 1993

Hatchback 1984 to 1992

• Solid VW quality, good performance from GTi
• So very Eighties, not so very practical

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2006 on

Saloon 2006 on

• Well built and reliable, cheaper and smaller alternative to a Passat, good choice of engines
• Not as practical as a Golf, dull image, noisy TDI engines

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1999 to 2005

Hatchback 1999 to 2005

• Fun to drive, cheap running costs, well made, sporty GTI version available
• Small boot, SEAT Arosa does same for even less money, noisy on the motorway

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2005 on

Saloon 2005 on

• Clean styling, upmarket image, good sized boot, classy interior, comfortable ride
• No hatchback version, not particularly exciting to drive, older TDI engines are noisy

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Estate 2005 on

• Upmarket image, decent load carrier, excellent build quality, comfortable on the move
• Other estates carry more, new price premium over larger alternatives

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CC 2008 on

• Stylish and upmarket looks, innovative packaging, useful practicality, well equipped as standard
• Premium pricing

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R36 2008 on

• Sleek understated looks, very quick, excellent build quality, comfortable ride
• Thirsty engine, not particularly exciting to drive, engine strangely muted

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2000 to 2005

Saloon 2000 to 2005

• TDI engines offer performance and economy, well built, reliable
• Bland styling, noisy diesels, not thrilling to drive

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Estate 2000 to 2005

• TDI PD 130 for performance and economy, quality, safety, space
• Top models are overpriced

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1996 to 2001

Saloon 1996 to 2001

• Classy; roomy; well built; well equipped
• Beware overpriced cars, especially estates

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Estate 1997 to 2001

• Classy; roomy; well built; well equipped
• Beware overpriced cars, especially estates

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1988 to 1997

Saloon 1988 to 1997

• Reliable; roomy; rugged
• Dull looks

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2003 on

Saloon 2003 on

• Great long distance comfort, masses of rear passenger space, outstanding diesel engines
• Expensive for a Volkswagen, complicated interior on early models, lacks image of more illustrious luxury cars

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2009 on

Hatchback 2009 on

• Roomy interior, low running costs, beautifully built, good choice of engines, quiet on the motorway, Bluemotion version
• Not as exciting to drive as a Ford Fiesta

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2002 to 2009

Hatchback 2002 to 2009

• Excellent build quality, safe to drive, low emission Bluemotion version available
• Expensive compared to other small hatchbacks, low equipment levels, drab interior

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GTI 2006 to 2009

• Neat GTI styling, nippy performance, excellent build quality and reliability
• Not especially fun to drive and not quick enough to be a genuine hot hatch

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Dune 2004 to 2008

• Neat off-road styling additions, comfortable ride, economical engine, good build quality
• Not actually four-wheel drive, lacklustre 1.2-litre engine, offers little over a standard Polo, dull cabin design

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2000 to 2002

Hatchback 2000 to 2002

• Quality image, strong residual values, reliability.
• Expensive for a supermini.

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Saloon 2000 to 2002

• Quality image; strong residual values; reliability
• Expensive for a supermini

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Estate 2000 to 2002

• Quality image; strong residual values; reliability
• Expensive for a supermini

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1994 to 2000

Hatchback 1994 to 2000

• Solidly built; desirable image; slow depreciation
• Expensive compared with the opposition

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2008 on

Coupe 2008 on

• Unique styling, sharp handling, refined ride, excellent TSI engines, available with a diesel
• Boot awkward to access

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R 2010 on

• Good looks, brilliant performance and handling, classy interior
• Not many deals around

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2010 on

Estate 2010 on

• Better looking than predecessor, frugal and eco-friendly engines, seven seats as standard
• Servicing costs higher than rivals

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2000 on

Estate 2000 on

• Strong build quality, plenty of interior room, can carry seven adults, Bluemotion version available
• Boxy styling, starting to look dated inside, rear seats don't fold flat

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1995 to 2000

Estate 1995 to 2000

• Everything, especially the assurance of the badge.
• Some niggling minor faults.

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2008 on

Estate 2008 on

• Neatly styled, robust interior, comfortable and safe on the move, off-road version available, Bluemotion versions available
• Alternatives are better value for money, 1.4 TSI engine feels sluggish

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2010 on

Estate 2010 on

• Premium cabin, superb refinement, economical but strong 3.0 TDI, amazingly agile for a large 4x4, genuine off-road ability
• Hybrid option not as good as TDI engines, no seven-seat option

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2003 on

Estate 2003 on

• Great off road, premium car feel, astonishing V10 diesel, refined and quiet on the move, Bluemotion model available
• Lacks the upmarket image of a BMW X5 or Range Rover Sport

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R50 2008 on

• Storming performance, comfortable and upmarket interior, stand out styling
• Incredibly thirsty for a diesel, noisy under hard acceleration, V6 TDI is better value

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2003 to 2010

Estate 2003 to 2010

• Excellent build quality, seven seats as standard, comfortable cabin, economical diesels
• Lacks the style of some alternatives, not very exciting to drive

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