Are you in the market for a new car? If so, prepare to shell out big bucks because, as of February 2024, new non-luxury vehicles cost an average of over $45,000.
With that money on the line, you want to ensure it’ll go toward a safe, fuel-efficient, and reliable car.
So, is the German car brand Volkswagen one such option? Are Volkswagens good cars, and if so, why?
Keep reading to learn why.
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Celebrating 75 Years of History
Volkswagen has been around (in Germany) since 1938, but it wasn’t until 1949 that it came to North America. So, 2024 marks its 75th year of manufacturing vehicles for the North American market.
Volkswagen wouldn’t last that long in the U.S. if all its products were substandard.
Furthermore, Volkswagen consistently receives positive ratings and reviews from credible third-party organizations. Here are some of them.
IIHS Top Safety Pick
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is a non-profit organization that tests the safety of new vehicles. It uses a “Poor” to “Good” ranking system, with “Good” being the highest possible rating. Models that excel in its tests receive either a “Top Safety Pick” or “Top Safety Pick+” award.
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are among the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Winners For 2024. These two specific models, plus the 2023 VW ID.4, also got the same award the previous year.
If you look at the IIHS’s other yearly “winner lists,” you’ll see that many other VW models also received awards. For example, in 2022, the organization awarded the Top Safety Pick+ award to the Volkswagen Golf R, Arteon, Tiguan, and ID.4. And if you go back to the 2006 winners, you’ll see the VW Passat, Rabbit, and Jetta included as well.
Good Fuel Economy Ratings
Fuel economy refers to the distance a vehicle can travel using a specific amount of fuel. In the U.S., the unit used for this measurement is miles per gallon (MPG).
The higher a vehicle’s MPG rating is, the more fuel-efficient it is. You can often expect this from all-electric and hybrid vehicle options. However, even gas-powered cars today can go farther for less fuel.
You’d want a fuel-efficient vehicle because it can help you save around $1,000 or more on annual fuel costs. It can also help you do your part in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel dependency.
Luckily, many of the latest VW models have good fuel economy ratings of over 25 mpg per the U.S. Department of Energy. These include the non-electric options Tiguan, Taos, Jetta, GTI, and GLI. The electric ID.4 models are even more impressive, with their gas mileage being at least 99 MPG!
Are Volkswagens Good Cars? They Are
As you learned in this guide, the answer to the question, “Are Volkswagens good cars?” is yes. They wouldn’t last 75 years in the U.S. and wouldn’t get top IIHS ratings if they weren’t. Many of these German cars are also fuel-efficient, helping motorists save.
So, if you’re looking for a reliable ride you can drive for many years, consider a Volkswagen.
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