Volkswagen Reviews
New Cars
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Good: Solidly built, impressive off road and easy to drive off road, refined, six-speed transmission with low range, available with eight-speed automatic.
Bad: 2.0 TDI has low CO2 and is reasonably economical but not really man enough for the job.
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Good: Huge improvement on previous Beetle. Distinctive interior harks back to original Beetle. Enjoyable to drive. Engine line-up includes 1.2 TSI 105PS and economical 1.6 TDI.
Bad: Rear visibility isn't great.
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Good: Refined and enjoyable to drive. Soft top opens and closes smoothly in around 10 seconds. Much better to drive than the previous Beetle Cabriolet. Great retro-inspired interior.
Bad: Fabric roof doesn't fold into the boot and looks awkward sitting on top of body.
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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.
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Good: Revamp of Passat CC for 2012 and now called simply the CC. Sharper looks than before. 2.0 TDI engine with 170PS is the pick of the range.
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: Seventh generation Golf sets quality benchmark for class. More spacious than before. Better to drive. Refined and comfortable. Multiple award winner. 1.6 TDI BlueMotion model averages claimed 88.3mpg.
Bad: Looks similar to outgoing model. Owners report significantly worse fuel economy from 2.0 TDI than Golf VI.
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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: 7th Generation Golf GTI offered with two power outputs of 220 PS GTI and GTI Performance with 230 PS, larger brake discs and a front limited-slip differential (VAQ).
Bad: Starting price is £25,845, £7,000 more than the smaller Peugeot 208GTI and £9,000 more than a Ford Fiesta ST.
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: Very comfortable and refined. Good ride quality on broken surfaces. Wide range of engines including excellent TSI petrols, BlueMotion CO2 figure now 109g/km.
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: Expensive for a Passat.
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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: 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 £7,995. Cheap to run with low CO2. Lively and fun to drive. World Car of the Year 2012.
Bad: Only the Move Up Bluemotion at £9,330 is under 100g/km, so VED and Congestion Charge exempt.
Used Cars
Cars not officially imported to the UK
Concept Cars
