Volkswagen

Founded in 1937, Volkswagen translates to “people’s car” and in 2020, the German automaker is still catering to the masses in the USA. The brand has a rich legacy and enjoys high sales volumes. There are a number of different VW cars in production that appeal to a variety of people. Whether you’re after a spacious SUV or a blistering hot hatch, there are enough VW models to suit your needs. While many of these have reasonable prices, some of the latest models from Volkswagen bear a keener resemblance to their relatives from Audi, and have a price tag to match.

Characteristics of the 2021 VW Lineup

The roster of Volkswagen models in America runs long, but regardless of the types of Volkswagen available, they all share some similarities:

• Engines - This automaker swears by their four-pots. Of course, performance-focused derivatives get some jazzed up tuning for higher power outputs, but most rely on a standard four-cylinder to get going.
• Interiors - This is an area where the marque simply dominates irrespective of the MSRP or the specific spec-level. The newest cars from Volkswagen have some excellent passenger areas when you compare them to competitors, being functional without appearing cheap.
• Pricing - Because the range of Volkswagen vehicles in the US is so diverse, the cost of these automobiles vary greatly. The lowest cost belongs to the Jetta sedan with an MSRP that sits just under $20k, while the most premium is the Atlas Cross Sport that can surpass the $50k mark.

Types of Volkswagen Cars

The list of new cars from Volkswagen is comprehensive, and there are various types of vehicles within the VW lineup. Here are a few of them:

• Hatchbacks - Among the most popular Volkswagens in 2021 is the 245-hp Golf GTI, a fiery little hatch that has been the flagship of the brand for some time. The Golf was accessible as a non-performance exclusive up until 2020, but the Mk 8 will only be sold in the US in GTI and R guise from this year onwards.
• Sedans - There are four sedans to choose from. The Jetta is smaller and more reasonably priced, and you’ll likely see a few Uber drivers buzzing around town in these. It also has superb gas mileage. There is also a slightly sportier GLI version of it. The Passat is aimed at practicality but offers more luxury, and the Arteon is the most decadent of them all.
• Wagons - The Alltrack and the SportWagen are both based on the Golf but are far more utilitarian as a result of their bigger size. The latter is the more affordable, and the Alltrack is slightly more generous in terms of stock features and overall quality.
• SUVs - For VW, good things come in twos. There are three new items in this category for 2021. The Tiguan is more of a compact crossover than a true high-rider, and it has remained relatively unchanged for the last while. The far larger Atlas scores brilliantly too, and are the better choice for families.

What to Consider Before Buying Volkswagen Vehicles

Even the best have their flaws, so it makes sense to think about the arguments for and against a new Volkswagen:

Pros

• Range of powertrain options
• Nearly every type of automobile in the lineup
• Appreciable reliability ratings
• Recent variants have high-tech cabins
• Frugal mpg figures

Cons

• Some motors are underpowered
• Certain products are looking old
• Can be a bit more expensive in comparison to rivals

New Volkswagen Models and Prices

The list of Volkswagen models currently for sale is quite extensive. The prices of Volkswagen’s newest cars also range from budget to extravagant:

FAQs

For more information on specs, features, and comparisons with direct rivals, check out our in-depth reviews. There is also a handy ranking system to help you quickly draw up a shortlist of your top picks.