Best Volkswagen Cars & SUVs

Volkswagen brings nostalgia to the new world of electric cars with the 2025 ID. Buzz, a reimagining of the German automaker's VW Bus of the 1950s through early '70s.

The new ID. Buzz is bigger and better in every way. It's a three-row, seven-seat minivan, although VW insists that it isn't a minivan, at least not like a Honda Odyssey. Its lines evoke those of its ancestor, but it offers more room, more power, infinitely more technology, and more creature comforts.

The original Microbus wasn't an instant hit. But despite shortcomings that included bare-bones content, horrible driving characteristics, and a woeful lack of oomph, it was quickly adopted by campers, merchants, and, of course, surfers. There was plenty of room inside for bedrolls, backpacks, and surfboards.

With a base price of $61,545, the ID. Buzz won't be the top pick of starving students, but it should appeal to the higher earners in all of those same groups, as well as to nostalgic boomers.

We'll agree with VW's adamant insistence that the three-row Buzz doesn't have any direct competitors in North America. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, actually a plug-in hybrid, is the only other electrified minivan; the rest are gas-only. For those seeking maximum space with no or little gasoline usage, there are several large all-electric crossovers with conventional SUV styling, and three rows of seating, including the Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and the upcoming Volvo EX90, Cadillac Escalade IQ, and Kia EV9. The Audi Q8 e-tron could be in the mix for some, but it only offers two rows of seating. None of them provide as much interior space as the ID. Buzz, though, and the VW's entry price is lower than that for all but the Pacifica Hybrid.

When the Volkswagen Taos debuted, it was pitched as a more adventure-seeking VW SUV, with quasi-rugged styling to match. Its most appealing attributes, though, were a surprisingly family-friendly interior and the sort of refined driving experience one expects from a German brand. The 2025 VW Taos sees those attributes carry over, but the looks have been given a shot in the arm thanks to flashy new lighting and an attractive lower fascia that’s even more quasi-rugged in appearance.

Performance was also addressed with 16 extra horses and an eight-speed automatic applied to both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The wonky dual-clutch automated manual has been dropped, which should clean up the driving experience of the all-wheel-drive Taos. We have yet to test the updated version, though we suspect it will continue to boast above-average ride quality and handling, but disappoint with numb steering that sucks whatever fun could be had out of the experience. Many competitors were more enjoyable to drive, and we expect that will continue to be the case.

None are more spacious, however, apart from the far more expensive Ford Bronco Sport. The Taos' back seat is bigger and more usable than some SUVs a full size up, while its boxy, voluminous cargo area can hold more bags than every subcompact SUV not named Bronco. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly family vehicle, this is a great choice. The Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista are much cheaper, but they’re also less spacious and powerful, and don’t offer all-wheel drive. It would also be hard to describe them as quasi-rugged. Just in case that’s your thing.

With its sleek roofline and elegant stance, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport looks like the toned, athletic sibling of the more reserved three-row Atlas midsize SUV. At 5 inches shorter in length and 2 inches shorter in height, with two rows instead of three, and almost 270 horsepower under the hood, the Cross Sport looks like the high-performer on the spec sheet, too.

Alas, simply adding "sport" to a car's name doesn't make it so. While it looks the part, there isn't much sporty about the smaller Atlas. Its soft ride and suspension are made to soak up miles of rough road, not attack it with excitement or agility. But that still leaves it a perfectly enjoyable, and for some buyers ideal, midsize SUV.

It can tow up to 5,000 pounds and its 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space is among the top in its class. A roomy interior and yards of legroom suit both kids and adults. Compared to the three-row Atlas and even other competitors, the Cross Sport sacrifices some rear headroom to that stylish, tapering roofline. But with reclining rear seats and 40 inches of rear legroom, it's not likely to be a sore spot, even for taller passengers.

You're more likely to hear complaints from the front passenger and driver as they fumble with the touch-sensitive controls on the infotainment interface. Other automakers have tried (and largely abandoned) Volkswagen's latest method of replacing physical controls for volume, media selection, and, worse, climate adjustments. It gives the dash a modern, minimal look, but poking and swiping to raise the temperature or turn on the seat heaters at 70 mph is a poor substitute for a few buttons and dials.

Still, it's not a deal breaker. The screen is large and legible, the menus are easy to get around, and there's plenty else to like about the Atlas Cross Sport. If not, there are alternatives. The Honda Passport offers roughly 25 percent more cargo space, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Subaru Outback feature robust four-wheel drive systems for going deeper off-road than the Cross Sport can manage. The smaller Toyota Venza hybrid is stunningly fuel-efficient. But with the exception of its clumsy touch control, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a solid pick that gets most of the fundamentals right.

Most car companies have forgone the sedan, replacing traditional cars with popular crossover SUVs. And while Volkswagen's SUV lineup includes the Taos, Tiguan, and Atlas, it is still investing in the compact Jetta sedan, giving the four-door car fresh styling and upgraded features for the 2025 model year.

The Jetta arrived in the U.S. more than 40 years ago, and the sedan is currently in its seventh generation with its last major redesign in 2019. With the demise of the larger Arteon last year, the Jetta and smaller Golf GTI hatchback are the last of VW’s passenger car offerings. For 2025, the Jetta gets fresh styling front and rear, giving the sedan a more modern look.

Volkswagen continues to offer the Jetta in a range of trim levels with a healthy set of standard features throughout the lineup. The interior is upgraded with a cleaner design, highlighted by a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and automatic dual-zone climate control with soft-touch haptic "buttons." All variants also come standard with a full suite of advanced driver-assist features.

Engine options carry over to the 2025 model year, with the standard 158-horsepower engine or the more powerful 228-hp powerplant exclusive to the sportier Jetta GLI. The GLI is also the only Jetta offered with a manual gearbox. The three-pedal version has been discontinued for the rest of the lineup.

The Jetta stands out with its overall comfortable ride and spacious interior, but the capacitive-touch controls can be frustrating to use. Rivals include the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3. We count the Civic as a class leader, while the Kia and Hyundai models stand out for their value. The Mazda3 is the sportiest choice, though its performance results in some sacrifices.

The 2025 VW Jetta is the outlier of the group; despite its new modern styling and more space for rear passengers, it's just about average for the class.

It might seem that sedans are a dying breed, as more shoppers turn to SUVs for their added convenience. But sedans still have plenty to offer: They're typically more affordable, efficient, maneuverable, and fun to drive. The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is one of the few remaining sedans, and is certainly worth consideration.

We're fans of the Arteon's sleek exterior styling, powerful engine, and sporty handling, as well as its spacious and refined interior. We advise against the base model, though, as its front-wheel-drive layout lacks traction compared to the other all-wheel-drive models. The Arteon is rather expensive for a non-luxury branded vehicle, but the cabin is a bit nicer than the average family sedan.

The VW Arteon is an excellent choice for those seeking a bit more performance and luxury than many conventional sedans. Its main rival is the aging Kia Stinger, which is due to be discontinued at the end of 2023. There's also the smaller and more affordable Acura Integra, which is a solid alternative if you don't need as much interior space.

The largest SUV in Volkswagen’s lineup, the Atlas boasts three rows of seats, sizable cargo space, and a premium cabin. As the brand’s flagship SUV, the Atlas resides above the compact Tiguan and subcompact Taos crossovers. After last year's significant refresh, the 2025 Atlas continues as a strong competitor in the three-row crossover market.

The Atlas stands out from the crowd with a wide stance enhanced by an illuminated light bar and large light-up VW logo in the center of its grille. A similar treatment with a chrome strip spans the rear hatch. The quad exhaust outlets give the Atlas a powerful look until you realize that they are merely decorative.

Volkswagen offers the Atlas in a range of trim levels, and even the base-level SE comes equipped with a long list of amenities and advanced safety features. Front-wheel drive is standard with optional all-wheel drive on lower trims; higher trims get all-wheel drive as standard equipment. All variants come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering a healthy 269 horsepower, but the Atlas, weighing more than 2 tons, is a bit slow off the line.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas holds its own in the very competitive three-row midsize SUV market segment that includes such heavy hitters as the Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-90. Buyers looking for a slightly sportier profile might also consider the Atlas Cross Sport two-row SUV (reviewed separately), which carries the same basic styling and underpinnings.