Volkswagen Reviews
New Cars
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Good: Solidly built, impressive off road and easy to drive off road, six-speed transmission with low range.
Bad: Ride quality no better than other pick-ups, twin-turbo 2.0 TDI low CO2 and reasonably economical but not really man enough for the job.
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Good: A huge improvement on the previous model, distinctive interior harks back to the original Beetle, enjoyable to drive, much more masculine styling, good engine line-up including economical 1.6 TDI.
Bad: Not in the UK until early 2012.
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Good: Upgraded for 2010 with improved interior and sharper styling, frugal 1.6 TDI Bluemotion model.
Bad: Not an all-new model more a thorough revamp.
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Good: Sensibly priced, honest seven-seater with enough space for seven and their luggage, huge loadspace with seats removed.
Bad: Rearmost bench seat does not fold and has to be removed to free up space.
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Good: Similar cabin to Volkswagen car models, very quiet and refined on the move, luxury feel, masses of space for those in the back, impressively strong performance from 2.0 TDI engine, upmarket looks.
Bad: There are considerably cheaper (although not as luxurious) seven seat people carriers.
Good: Revamp of Passat CC for 2012. Now called simply the CC with Passat association dropped.
Bad: Prices up by about £2,000 across the range.
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Good: Goes and handles like a Golf GTI with space for four adults, decent luggage trunk top up and fresh air top down.
Bad: Multi section roof is proving almost impossible to seal against leaks which can wreck the hydraulic mechanism.
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Good: More substantial than a Lupo. High seats. Roomy cabin seats four comfortably. Cheap.
Bad: Front screen pillars cause a large blindspot. Nonentity of a car.
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Good: Comfortable and quiet on the move, enjoyable to drive, great attention to detail, excellent chain cam 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines, economical BlueMotion models.
Bad: Styling not a huge leap forward from the previous Golf, DSG transmission occasionally obstructive and can leave you stranded mid junction.
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Good: Neatly styled drop-top version of the Golf, quick-fold roof, frugal Bluemotion models available plus impressive TSI petrols.
Bad: Legroom is tight in the back.
Good: Bluemotion Technology model has impressively low emissions and high mpg, upgraded interior is an improvement on the previous model.
Bad: Not a MK VI Golf underneath despite the looks, legroom is tight in the back.
Good: Decent fuel economy across the range; excellent standard and optional equipment, including a self-park system.
Bad: Just a large Golf hatchback and lacks the carry-all capability of the estate.
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Good: Bigger than previous Jetta with more rear passenger room, Bluemotion models deliver low CO2 emissions, easy to drive and comfortable with much better ride quality than a Golf.
Bad: Golf will always hold its value better, smaller boot than previous Jetta, soft springing doesn't provide thrilling handling.
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Good: Hugely improved, very comfortable and refined, good ride quality on broken surfaces, wide range of engines including excellent TSI petrols, BlueMotion CO2 figure now 109g/km which beats latest Mondeo Econetic.
Bad: A thorough facelift rather than an all new car.
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Good: More rugged off-road version of the Passat Estate, higher ride height, 4MOTION four-wheel drive as standard.
Bad: Not on sale until April 2012.
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Good: Sharper styled than previous Phaeton, available in standard and long wheelbase, 3.0 V6 TDI offers good combination of performance and economy for such a big car, great motorway cruiser.
Bad: Still lacks the status of other luxury saloons, soft in corners.
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Good: Neatly styled and easy to drive. Room for five. Most come with full size spare. High quality interior. Double folding rear seats give flat load area. Amazingly frugal 1.2 TDI BlueMotion.
Bad: Lacks the sparkle of other small hatches. High gearing of 1.6 TDI may lead to DPF problems. 1.6 TDI and 1.4 petrol still belt cam.
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Good: Good looks. Good performance from chain cam 2.0 TSI engine. Also available with frugal TDI diesel. Very enjoyable and rewarding to drive. Can happily accommodate four.
Bad: Poor rear visibility. Very firm ride especially with larger wheels.
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Good: Great turbocharged engine, incredibly rapid, understated looks, high quality interior, four genuine seats.
Bad: Can struggle to put all that power down smoothly, very firm ride, tricky to load the boot.
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Good: Strong, powerful and frugal diesel engines, clever use of space inside, integrated child seats, standard DAB digital radio, excellent Park Assist system, practical and large sliding rear side door.
Bad: Not particularly exciting, seats don't fold into the floor in six-seat versions.
Good: Simple, space-efficient campers and vans. Cheap and fairly easy to maintain. Found at campsites, beaches and festivals the world over. Now with four cylinder 1.4 litre water cooled petrol engines.
Bad: Slow, noisy and quite thirsty. Constant fight against rust with older models.
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Good: Decent SUV with diesel automatic option, comfortable seats, 'Escape' version capable off-road, optional Park Assist works well. Much better from September 2011 upgrade and facelift.
Bad: Originally had hard ride, 2.0 TDI PD no longer the best, fuel economy not brilliant.
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Good: Refined and sophisticated cabin, strong but economical 3.0 TDI engine, feels well built and robust, handles impressively well for a large 4x4.
Bad: Not available with seven seats, hybrid version refined but not as punchy as the diesels.
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Good: Sharper styling and revamped interior, range of frugal engines including turbocharged chain cam 1.2 TSI, seven seats as standard and a versatile interior.
Bad: Not the smart new model that was expected.
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Good: Very refined and car-like to drive, upmarket cabin, durable and well built, smooth common-rail TDI engine, available as a Shuttle which seats up to nine, ESP stability control as standard.
Bad: Not quite as many variations available as there are with the Ford Transit.
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Good: Funky little city car, prices start at just £7995, electric version in the pipeline, cheap to run with low CO2, Skoda and SEAT sister versions.
Bad: Doesn't arrive in the UK until April 2012.
Used Cars
Cars not officially imported to the UK
Concept Cars
Vauxhall Astra
BMW 1 Series
Toyota Corolla Verso
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