Is A VW SUV Worth Buying?

Photo Source/Copyright: Volkswagen

If you walk onto a Volkswagen lot right now, five distinct crossovers are staring back at you. They range from budget commuters to massive three-row family haulers. Here’s how they break down when you cut through the marketing jargon.

The Small Fry: VW Taos

The Taos sits at the bottom of the price ladder, but it isn’t a penalty box. Its 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder generates 174 horsepower, which feels plenty zippy around town.

You get up to 36 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway with front-wheel drive, making it ideal for long commutes. Don’t expect to pull a boat; VW doesn’t rate the Taos for towing, and maximum cargo caps out at 65.9 cubic feet. If saving cash at the pump is your main drive, start here.

The Goldilocks Choice: VW Tiguan

Most buyers end up in a Tiguan. It handles everyday family duty without feeling like steering a barge.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter engine making 201 horsepower, though you can spring for the SEL R-Line trim to bump up to 268 horsepower. Total cargo capacity tops out at 69.8 cubic feet, and it’s rated to tow up to 1,800 pounds with 4MOTION all-wheel drive (AWD).

Style and Space: VW Atlas Cross Sport

Think of the Cross Sport as the big brother that traded its third row for extra trunk room and a sloped roofline. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbo that pumps out 269 horsepower.

By ditching that rear row, you gain 77.6 cubic feet of total cargo room. It also hauls up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The Large Family Hauler: VW Atlas

If you’re regularly hauling kids, sports gear, or camping equipment, the regular Atlas is your go-to. It’s the only model in the lineup with three rows, seating up to seven people (or six with second-row captain’s chairs).

Fold both rear rows down, and you get 96.6 cubic feet of space. It packs the same 269-horsepower engine and 5,000-pound towing capacity as the Cross Sport.

The Gas-Free Alternative: VW ID.4

Ditching fossil fuels? The ID.4 is VW’s electric contender. It delivers instant torque from its electric motor, pushing 282 horsepower in single-motor rear-wheel drive or 335 horsepower with dual-motor AWD.

Maximum range reaches up to 291 miles on a full charge. Inside, cargo space hits 64.2 cubic feet.

The Quick Verdict

Need seven seats? Get the Atlas. Want maximum cargo in a two-row footprint? Cross Sport. Driving long miles on a tight budget? Taos. No gas? ID.4. For almost everyone else, test drive the Tiguan first.