Gone are the days when Volkswagen meant Beetles and flower power vans. Today’s VW models include sensible yet elegant sedans, sporty hatchbacks, and impressive SUVs.
From the reliable Jetta to the Tiguan crossover, there are many fun compact sports vehicles to four-door family sedans to consider.
What models does Volkswagen make?
- ID.4: Starting at $39,995
- Atlas: Starting at $31,555
- Atlas Cross Sport: Starting at – $30,855
- Tiguan: Starting at $25,245
- Jetta: Starting at $18,895
- Jetta GLI: Starting at $26,245
- Passat: Starting at $22,995
- Arteon: Starting at $35,99
- Golf: Starting at $23,195
- Golf GTI: Starting at $28,595
Has Volkswagen improved its image? How does a Volkswagen compare to other cars in its class? Does VW have any new fun vehicles or new models to look forward to? Well, great news; by the end of this article, you’ll have all the data you need to make an educated buying decision and feel good about it.
ID.4
We start with one that is so new that you have to preorder it. While this all-electric 2021 VW is still a bit under wraps, there is much we do know for sure.
- Preproduction in Europe with a manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that also builds the Passat sedan and the Atlas SUV.
- DC Fast Charging – the I.D. Cross can gain 80% of its battery life with just a 30-minute charge at a 150-kWh charging station.
- 300-mile range with 302 horsepower HP dual onboard electric motors.
Atlas
The Atlas and its sibling, the Atlas Cross Sport, are a far cry from the cramped space of a VW Beetle. The 2021 Atlas has a boxy, cavernous interior that makes it one of the largest crossovers on the market. Don’t expect the Atlas to be a Mazda CX-9. However, you can expect a lot less sticker shock without sacrificing the luxury features common in this class of vehicle.
- 3.6 L/220
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 276 @ 6200
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 19 / 17 / 23
- Wheelbase (inches) 117.3
- Passenger / Seating Capacity 7
- Cargo Space / Area Behind Front Row (cubic feet)
- Maximum Towing Capacity (pounds) 5,000
Safety Ratings – The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas got 5 out of 5 stars for safety (NHTSA). However, you should be aware that the Atlas scored “moderate” to “poor” in IIHS’s crash avoidance & mitigation tests.
Tiguan
The Tiguan has a distinctly European feel for what is in essence an American classic, the SUV. While not as agile or quick as a Mazda CX-5, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is more than adequate for most drivers’ demands.
All models of the Tiguan except for the base S have features today’s drivers are looking for: heated seats, adaptive display, touch-sensitive controls. Other features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Travel Assist – a lane-keeping assist and a semi-autonomous driving mode
- 2.0 L engine
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 184
- Range, city/highway (miles) 351.90 / 443.70
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 25 / 23 / 29
- Maximum Towing Capacity (pounds) 1,500
Safety Ratings – While an overall NHTSA safety rating is not available, the NHTSA rates the Tiguan five and four stars for side crash and rollover, respectively. Since SUVs are notorious for rating lower on safety, the Tiguan may well be the car you want to trust your family to.
Golf GTI
If you’re looking for an affordable and practical car that’s a superb driving machine, you may not have to look any further than the Golf GTI. Not only is the Golf GTI on Car and Driver‘s “Best 10” list, but it is relatively affordable and a blast to drive. Take a hard look at the Golf GTI, and you’ll see why U.S. News rated it #1 in Compact Cars.
- 2.0 L engine
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 228 @ 4700
- Range, city/highway (miles) 303.60 / 396.00
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 26 / 23 / 30
- 5-door design
Safety Ratings – The 2020 GTI received five out of five stars in overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That includes five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. IIHS also rated the Golf GTI as “superior” in crash prevention.
Jetta GLI
The Jetta GLI costs about $2,000 less than the Golf GTI. Like the Golf, the Jetta is on Car and Driver’s 2021 “10 Best” list for a reason. This is a compact sedan that gets great gas mileage. This is an entertaining drive that demands a road test before you make a decision. The Jetta shares the Golf’s 228-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that makes driving a pleasure whether with a manual transmission or its quicker-shifting automatic.
- 2.0 L engine
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 228
- Range, city/highway (miles) 316.80 / 435.60
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 28 / 24 / 33
- Passenger / Seating Capacity 5
Safety Ratings – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta a general safety rating of five out of five stars. The Jetta earned four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests and five stars in the side crash test. Advanced safety features that are available include:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Passat
First appearing in 1990, the Passat has been Volkswagen’s sedan of choice for over a decade. It has a comfortable ride and a spacious back seat. While Passat has never been offered as hybrid or approaches the sportiness of the Golf GTI or Jetta GLI, it is exactly what it promises to be – a dependable and safe family ride. There may be some really good pricing ahead, as Volkswagen has announced it will be retiring the Passat in the American market in the near future.
- 2.0 L engine
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 174 @ 5200
- Range, city/highway (miles) 444.00 / 666.00
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 28 / 24 / 36
- Passenger / Seating Capacity 5
Safety Ratings – Both the NHTSA and IIHS rate this VW model 4 out of 5 stars in rollover safety. Additional safety features that are available for the Passat include:
- Automated emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
Arteon
With a starting price of $38,190, the Arteon is a luxury hatchback VW model that is nothing short of a stunning-looking vehicle. It has a robust turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but don’t expect it to match a BMW 3-series or Genesis G70. That said, the Arteon offers a limo-like feel and passenger space that makes it THE passenger car in VW’s lineup.
- 2.0 L engine
- Maximum Horsepower @ rpm 268 @ 5500
- Range, city/highway (miles) 382.80 / 556.80
- EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg) 25 / 22 / 32
- Passenger / Seating Capacity 5
- Base Curb Weight (pounds) 3655
Safety Ratings – At the time of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has performed a crash test for the 2020 Arteon. The IIHS gave the very similar 2019 Arteon a top rating of “Good” in all six tests performed.
