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Beetle

1999 on

Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback
Hatchback 1999 on
  • Funky, Golf-based, fun to drive.
  • Overpriced, cramped in the back, pseudo-retro.
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
Cabriolet 2003 on
  • Golf-based, easy to open roof, not too noisy
  • Cramped in the back, no luggage space
Bora

1999 to 2005

Volkswagen Bora
Saloon 1999 to 2005
  • Classy, good to drive
  • Too expensive, poor equipment
Caddy Maxi Life

2008 on

Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
Estate 2008 on
  • High quality, large capacity, strong value
  • Van-like appearance, rearmost seat difficult to remove
California

2005 on

Volkswagen California
Station Wagon 2005 on
  • Less expensive to buy than a proper motorhome, top quality fittings
  • Lacks the charm of the original 'Camper Van'
Caravelle

2003 on

Volkswagen Caravelle
Estate 2003 on
  • Roomy, well equipped, great 2.5 TDI PD engine; cheaper than a Mercedes-Benz Viano
  • Ride could be better; expensive for a van-based MPV
Corrado

1989 to 1996

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

2006 on

Volkswagen Eos
Coupe Cabriolet 2006 on
  • Wow-effect roof; built-in sunroof
  • Dumpy looks with the roof up; some versions are slow
Fox

2006 on

Volkswagen Fox
Hatchback 2006 on
  • Versatile interior; cheap for a VW
  • Mediocre levels of equipment; sombre interior
Golf

2004 on

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
Hatchback 2004 on
  • Great engines, well finished and spacious interior
  • Expensive compared to rivals, noisy diesels
Volkswagen Golf Estate
Estate 2007 on
  • One of the best load carriers in its class
  • Similarly priced, seven-seat Touran arguably a better buy
Volkswagen Golf GTi
GTi 2005 on
  • Great performance, fun to drive, easy to live with
  • Civic Type-R does a similar job and leaves £3,000 in your pocket
Volkswagen Golf Plus
Plus 2005 on
  • More versatile and roomier than a standard Golf
  • Seems like gratuitous niche marketing
Volkswagen Golf R32
R32 2005 on
  • Discreet performance; great handling
  • Expensive; offers little more than the outstanding Golf GTi

1997 to 2005

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
Hatchback 1997 to 2004
  • Strong residuals, reputation for quality.
  • SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia do the same for less.
Volkswagen Golf Estate
Estate 1999 to 2005
  • Quality, unrivalled interior, comfort, safety
  • Passenger space, Passat is a better estate for similar money

1992 to 2001

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

1981 to 1993

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

2006 on

Volkswagen Jetta
Saloon 2006 on
  • Bigger, roomier and classier than Bora
  • Golf influence robs it of its own identity
Lupo

1999 to 2005

Volkswagen Lupo
Hatchback 1999 to 2005
  • Fun, cheap, well made.
  • Small boot, SEAT Arosa does same for even less money.
Passat

2005 on

Volkswagen Passat Saloon
Saloon 2005 on
  • Upmarket image; well built
  • Perhaps too bland for some
Volkswagen Passat Estate
Estate 2005 on
  • Handsome styling; decent load carrier
  • Mondeo and Vectra estates carry more
Volkswagen Passat CC
CC 2008 on
  • Style, innovative packaging, practicality
  • Premium pricing

2000 to 2005

Volkswagen Passat Saloon
Saloon 2000 to 2004
  • TDI PD 130 for performance and economy, quality, safety.
  • Bland styling, replacement due soon.
Volkswagen Passat Estate
Estate 2000 to 2005
  • TDI PD 130 for performance and economy, quality, safety, space
  • Top models are overpriced

1996 to 2001

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

1988 to 1997

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

2003 on

Volkswagen Phaeton
Saloon 2003 on
  • Superb engineering, outstanding diesel engines
  • Expensive for a VW; complicated interior
Polo

2002 on

Volkswagen Polo Hatchback
Hatchback 2002 on
  • Excellent build quality, ride, image, low emission Bluemotion version
  • Price, mediocre 1.4 petrol engine
Volkswagen Polo GTI
GTI 2006 on
  • Tasteful GTi styling touches
  • Not as fun as it could be

2000 to 2002

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

1994 to 2000

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

2004 on

Volkswagen Polo Dune
Hatchback 2004 on
  • Improved visibility; looks funky
  • Expensive; lacklustre 1.2 engine
Scirocco

2008 on

Volkswagen Scirocco
Coupe 2008 on
  • Unique styling, sharp handling, excellent TSI engines
  • Boot awkward to access, slightly plain interior
Sharan

2000 on

Volkswagen Sharan
Estate 2000 on
  • Reputation, quality
  • Cheaper rivals

1995 to 2000

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

2007 on

Volkswagen Tiguan
Estate 2007 on
  • Stylish, understated interior; pleasant to drive
  • Rather pricey compared to rivals
Touareg

2003 on

Volkswagen Touareg
Estate 2003 on
  • Great off road, premium car feel, astonishing V10 diesel
  • Still lacks the image of a BMW X5
Touran

2003 on

Volkswagen Touran
Estate 2003 on
  • Well built and good to drive; some park themselves
  • Lacks the style of some rivals