Are Volkswagens Good Cars? What To Know
Many factors come into play when shopping for a vehicle, from the specifications to the features to the design. However, there’s no denying that one of the most popular criteria that people rely on when car shopping is the brand.
Having an in-depth knowledge of the brand lets you understand what you’re getting into, especially in various important metrics like build quality, reliability, cost of ownership, etc.
Having said that, many people are asking: “are Volkswagens good cars?”
Today, we’re going to highlight the iconic German automaker, Volkswagen. We’ll discuss just how reliable this brand is and if it’s worth your investment. Let’s get to it!
Build Quality
People like to attribute sophisticated “German engineering” build quality to nearly every German car ever made, including Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen. When you talk about build quality, it means that the car was built well for the purpose and may refer to many other things – it may mean that paint was nicely done, the panels and body fit, the interior has a quality finish, and the construction feels solid.
In this case, Volkswagen cars do have excellent build quality, especially when they’re not considered premium models. Compared to its rivals like Toyota or Honda, Volkswagen has a slight advantage, perhaps a notch above, in terms of build quality. However, just to be clear, build quality refers to perceived quality and not reliability (more on this later) – because, in general, Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda have better reliability than Volkswagen.
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Reliability
Are Volkswagens good cars? One way to know is to check its reliability scores. According to the good folks at RepairPal, Volkswagen has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 and a rank of 12th out of 32 car brands. That’s an above-average reliability score, but overall dependability will depend on your Volkswagen model.
Volkswagen cars’ average annual repair cost is $676 per year, which is slightly higher across all models at $652. However, higher annual repair costs don’t necessarily mean that the vehicle is less reliable because it may also mean that parts and labor are expensive.
Volkswagen used to have a reputation for higher repair and maintenance costs because labor and parts weren’t widely available. However, that changed when Volkswagen made parts and dealerships more available, driving repair and maintenance costs down.
Another reason Volkswagen is more reliable in general is that its repairs are a lot less severe than others. Across all Volkswagen models, only 11% of the repairs were considered severe. Meanwhile, the average VW owner will visit the shop for unscheduled repairs approximately 0.5 times a year.
Common Issues With Volkswagen Vehicles
In relation to reliability, Volkswagen has numerous problems besides the general wear and tear:
- Excessive oil consumption - This seems to be a prevalent issue for Volkswagen model years from 2010 to 2014. Apparently, Volkswagen’s turbocharged engines have been consuming excessive amounts of oil. As a general rule, engines shouldn’t consume more than a quart of oil between oil changes, which is not the case here. As a result, VW had to settle a lawsuit without admitting fault.
- Oil sludge - Early 2000 Volkswagen models, particularly the Passats, have been reported to have failed engines due to oil sludge buildup. This may result in a leak that may clog the crankcase breather system, which prevents engine ventilation. Generally, this may occur if you’re not current with your oil changes.
- Odor coming from HVAC vents - Another widespread issue that affected 15 Volkswagen Jetta model years. According to the reports, the condensation in the heater may cause a foul, musty odor from the climate control system. Various technicians advised people to use a cleaner on the heater case and clean debris from the drain system.
- Electrical malfunctions - Many Volkswagen models have electrical issues, which makes them more frustrating because they’re the “phantom” kind. Numerous electrical problems would rear their ugly heads, only to get fixed sometime later. For this reason, these electrical issues can be challenging to diagnose.
- Diesel emission scandal - Volkswagen was caught installing “defeat devices” in their diesel vehicles to manipulate the cars’ emission output. As a result, VW faced years of litigation and had to settle for millions of dollars. It got so bad that VW had to provide “buy-back” offers to owners to make things right again.
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Affordability and Value
Are Volkswagens good cars, and do they offer a good value proposition?
German cars are known for high-quality engineering, which also constitutes a higher price tag, except for Volkswagen. The German company has continuously operated to provide practical vehicles that are financially accessible for the average consumer. Popular VW models like the Golf, Jetta, and Tiguan command a reasonable price tag.
VW offers good value for the average car buyer more than ever by bringing affordability and lower ownership costs to the table. Furthermore, Volkswagen is one of the leading companies with the lowest-cost vehicles to maintain. The list includes the Jetta, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon, Atlas, and Atlas Cross Sport.
Which are the Best Volkswagen Models?
Below are some models that can make a strong case for the question, “are Volkswagens good cars?” Here are some of the best-reviewed Volkswagen models you should check out:
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The Jetta GLI, aka the Grand Luxury Injection, is an excellent choice if you want a small, sporty car with the mature lines of a sedan. If you don’t mind an older model, the 2019 version offers 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The extra power and fun-to-drive personality are definite standouts.
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
Wagons might be a dying breed, but the Golf Alltrack certainly can keep its hands clean and not add to the segment’s demise. The Golf Alltrack is a winner in our book because it combines the best aspects of a wagon and a crossover SUV – performance, comfort, and interior space.
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Volkswagen Tiguan
With the introduction of the VW Tiguan, the world of compact crossovers once again became more competitive. The Tiguan makes a case for your automobile budget by bringing handsome styling, practicality, and tons of features to the table – an excellent all-rounder.
What Reddit Says About the Volkswagen Brand:
Volkswagen is one of the most recognizable car brands, but what do people think of the German automaker in terms of general quality and reliability? Some Reddit users weigh in:
Here’s a great, level-headed take on VW as a brand:
Comment
byu/spriggan4 from discussion
inwhatcarshouldIbuy
On the one hand, another person is not so thrilled with VW’s reliability:
Comment
byu/ConfusedYeti17 from discussion
inBuyItForLife
Regional perspectives may vary as well:
Comment
byu/Dragonfruit-Flight from discussion
inwhatcarshouldIbuy
On the reliability of VW cars:
Comment
byu/zonianjohn from discussion
inwhatcarshouldIbuy
Overall, many folks tend to like their Volkswagen cars, although they’re not topping the class in reliability. Still, owners tend to have a positive opinion of their VWs, but admit they’re overpriced compared to their Japanese/Korean counterparts.
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