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Volkswagen car reviews

Beetle

1999 on

Hatchback 1999 on
Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback
  • 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
Cabriolet 2003 on
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
  • 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
Bora

1999 to 2005

Saloon 1999 to 2005
Volkswagen Bora
  • Well built, good to drive
  • Dull styling, poor equipment levels
Caddy Maxi Life

2008 on

Estate 2008 on
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
  • 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
California

2005 on

Estate 2005 on
Volkswagen California
  • Less expensive to buy than a proper motorhome, top quality fittings, strong TDI engine
  • Lacks the charm of the original 'Camper Van', high prices
Caravelle

2003 on

Estate 2003 on
Volkswagen Caravelle
  • 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
Corrado

1989 to 1996

Coupe 1989 to 1996
Volkswagen Corrado
  • Handling; engines; muscular styling
  • Firm ride
Eos

2006 on

Coupe Cabriolet 2006 on
Volkswagen Eos
  • 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
Fox

2006 on

Hatchback 2006 on
Volkswagen Fox
  • 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
Golf

2009 on

Hatchback 2009 on
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
  • 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
GTI 2009 on
Volkswagen Golf GTI
  • Outstanding blend of performance, agility, comfort and practicality
  • Not as quick outright as many alternatives, less overtly sporty styling than some
Plus 2009 on
Volkswagen Golf Plus
  • 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
Estate 2009 on
Volkswagen Golf Estate
  • Impressively large boot, refined ride, high-quality interior, economical engines, good to drive
  • Rear legroom somewhat limited, essentially a facelift of the previous model

2004 to 2009

Hatchback 2004 to 2008
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
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  • Great engines, well finished and spacious interior, comfortable, good to drive
  • Expensive compared to similar hatchbacks, noisy diesels
Estate 2007 to 2009
Volkswagen Golf Estate
  • Reliable and well built, large boot space, available with frugal TDI engines, comfortable interior
  • Similarly priced seven-seat Touran offers more for family buyers
GTI 2005 to 2008
Volkswagen Golf GTI
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  • Great performance, fun to drive, easy to live with, iconic badge
  • Expensive compared to some hot hatches and not as quick either
Plus 2005 to 2009
Volkswagen Golf Plus
  • 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
R32 2005 to 2008
Volkswagen Golf R32
  • Discreet performance, great handling
  • Offers little more than the outstanding Golf GTI, thirsty engine

1997 to 2005

Hatchback 1997 to 2004
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
  • 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
Estate 1999 to 2005
Volkswagen Golf Estate
  • Quality, unrivalled interior, comfort, safety
  • Passenger space, Passat is a better estate for similar money

1992 to 2001

Hatchback 1992 to 1998
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
  • Quality, reputation; reliability
  • Little chance of finding a bargain
Cabriolet 1994 to 2001
Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
  • Quality, reputation; reliability
  • No diesel

1981 to 1993

Hatchback 1984 to 1992
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
  • Solid VW quality, good performance from GTi
  • So very Eighties, not so very practical
Jetta

2006 on

Saloon 2006 on
Volkswagen Jetta
  • 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
Lupo

1999 to 2005

Hatchback 1999 to 2005
Volkswagen Lupo
  • 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
Passat

2005 on

Saloon 2005 on
Volkswagen Passat Saloon
  • Clean styling, upmarket image, good sized boot, classy interior, comfortable ride
  • No hatchback version, not particularly exciting to drive, older TDI engines are noisy
Estate 2005 on
Volkswagen Passat Estate
  • Upmarket image, decent load carrier, excellent build quality, comfortable on the move
  • Other estates carry more, new price premium over larger alternatives
CC 2008 on
Volkswagen Passat CC
  • Stylish and upmarket looks, innovative packaging, useful practicality, well equipped as standard
  • Premium pricing
R36 2008 on
Volkswagen Passat R36
  • Sleek understated looks, very quick, excellent build quality, comfortable ride
  • Thirsty engine, not particularly exciting to drive, engine strangely muted

2000 to 2005

Saloon 2000 to 2004
Volkswagen Passat Saloon
  • TDI engines offer performance and economy, well built, reliable
  • Bland styling, noisy diesels, not thrilling to drive
Estate 2000 to 2005
Volkswagen Passat Estate
  • TDI PD 130 for performance and economy, quality, safety, space
  • Top models are overpriced

1996 to 2001

Saloon 1996 to 2001
Volkswagen Passat Saloon
  • Classy; roomy; well built; well equipped
  • Beware overpriced cars, especially estates
Estate 1997 to 2001
Volkswagen Passat Estate
  • Classy; roomy; well built; well equipped
  • Beware overpriced cars, especially estates

1988 to 1997

Saloon 1988 to 1997
Volkswagen Passat Saloon
  • Reliable; roomy; rugged
  • Dull looks
Phaeton

2003 on

Saloon 2003 on
Volkswagen Phaeton
  • 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
Polo

2009 on

Hatchback 2009 on
Volkswagen Polo
  • 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

2002 to 2009

Hatchback 2002 to 2009
Volkswagen Polo Hatchback
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  • Excellent build quality, safe to drive, low emission Bluemotion version available
  • Expensive compared to other small hatchbacks, low equipment levels, drab interior
GTI 2006 to 2009
Volkswagen Polo GTI
  • 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
Dune 2004 to 2008
Volkswagen Polo Dune
  • 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

2000 to 2002

Hatchback 2000 to 2002
Volkswagen Polo Hatchback
  • Quality image, strong residual values, reliability.
  • Expensive for a supermini.
Saloon 2000 to 2002
Volkswagen Polo Saloon
  • Quality image; strong residual values; reliability
  • Expensive for a supermini
Estate 2000 to 2002
Volkswagen Polo Estate
  • Quality image; strong residual values; reliability
  • Expensive for a supermini

1994 to 2000

Hatchback 1994 to 2000
Volkswagen Polo Hatchback
  • Solidly built; desirable image; slow depreciation
  • Expensive compared with the opposition
Scirocco

2008 on

Coupe 2008 on
Volkswagen Scirocco
  • Unique styling, sharp handling, refined ride, excellent TSI engines, available with a diesel
  • Boot awkward to access
Sharan

2000 on

Estate 2000 on
Volkswagen Sharan
  • 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

1995 to 2000

Estate 1995 to 2000
Volkswagen Sharan
  • Everything, especially the assurance of the badge.
  • Some niggling minor faults.
Tiguan

2007 on

Estate 2007 on
Volkswagen Tiguan
  • 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
Touareg

2003 on

Estate 2003 on
Volkswagen Touareg
  • 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
R50 2008 on
Volkswagen Touareg R50
  • Storming performance, comfortable and upmarket interior, stand out styling
  • Incredibly thirsty for a diesel, noisy under hard acceleration, V6 TDI is better value
Touran

2003 on

Estate 2003 on
Volkswagen Touran
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  • 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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