Top 5 Most Popular Volkswagens Ever

Volkswagen, commonly known as the “people’s car”, has a long and rich history that dates back to 1937. Over the decades, the German car company has grown into one of the world’s largest and most infamous car manufacturers.

The first Volkswagen cars were mass-produced in 1937 by the German government. With the mass damage caused by World War 2, this was a time when most people living in Germany and across Europe couldn’t afford a car. So the small, cheap and air-cooled engine became a cost-effective means of transportation. However, in 1946, the British government intervened and assisted with the production of Volkswagen motors which helped the brand reach new consumers internationally.

The British subsequently assumed control of the Volkswagen plant and began producing the Type 1, commonly known as the Beetle, which continued to be a consumer favourite even through the sixties and seventies. Over the years, the range has evolved and grown at record rates. Models are constantly being launched and Volkswagen is no longer just a car maker for the everyday person. Their range now includes some serious supercar designs, alongside a great selection of modern technology and specifications.

Over the decades, fans of Volkswagen now have several styles to choose from. If you’re looking for something small yet convenient then the Volkswagen up! Could be the perfect city car for you or if you’re after a reliable van to carry your tools from job to job, why not look into picking up a Volkswagen Transporter? The tough part is deciding which car to buy or lease. Read on for inspiration and find out what the most popular Volkswagens are.

1. Volkswagen Tiguan

Back in 2009, the Volkswagen range was expanded and the popular Tiguan was born. This compact crossover SUV was enthusiastically accepted all over the world and the SUV still inspires modern SUVs today. When launched, they were looking to cash in on the success of rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and other successful small SUVs and since the initial production of the Tiguan, Volkswagen has watched sales increase steadily each year.

The Tiguan is beloved by SUV and Volkswagen loyalists alike. The 2021 Tiguan midsize SUV has modern features such as power-sliding second-row seats, a modern infotainment system and a bundle of safety features that include blind-spot monitoring, a lane mitigation system, and front and rear parking sensors. 

Independent reviews across the web have rated the VW Tiguan highly for both comfort and performance and are said to handle great on all kinds of terrain. As a result, the Tiguan is the 3rd best-selling Volkswagen (behind the Golf and Polo) of all time.

2. Volkswagen Up!

When the Up! was introduced to the automotive world in 2016, it was recognised as the smallest car by Volkswagen. This impressive and nifty little city car has been a big hit and its drivers can choose from a massive 6 different specification levels. Regardless of what specification you opt for, none of them compromises on premium quality and handling.

The fun Volkswagen Up! comes with everything you could need in an affordable car, from an adjustable steering wheel to heated seats and even an electric version thrown in for good measure. The little city car measures just 3.6m long yet, somehow, manages to be spacious enough to accommodate 4 adults comfortably and the boot is big enough to hold your suitcase or even the bags from your suitcase. 

Reviews all say that the Up! Is very easy to park and is the ideal choice for anyone who spends a lot of time in a city.

3. Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is the ultimate classless automobile, popular amongst season drivers and newbies alike. With its great handling and cheap insurance, the Golf has managed to bridge the gap between mainstream family cars and pricier premium alternatives.

Now the Golf is in its eighth generation and has sold more cars than any other Volkswagen model on the market. The Golf, unlike the Beetle, Microbus, and other Volkswagen precursors, upgraded to a water-cooled front engine and revolutionised the Volkswagen concept. While the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI carries a similar design that has obvious nods to earlier generations. The 2021 version comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a massive 228 horsepower and includes features such as a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, and a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

4. Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the greatest automobiles of the twentieth century. Making its way into the infamous world of the groovy 1960s, it’s not very hard to see why the Beetle had so many fans at the time. The Beetle was initially seen as the German people’s car and quickly evolved into a cult classic and an all-time best seller.

There have been over 21 million models produced and sold, and the Beetle has been included in TV and films for decades. The style, and not to mention the numbers, really speak for themselves regarding how well this car did around the world. The New Beetle revived Volkswagen after a rocky image from the 90s, but nearly 20 years later, Volkswagen opted to put it down for good. Sadly, Volkswagen stopped mass-producing the Beetle in 2003, and while it was a shame that we would get no more models, they recently revived it with their dune buggy models.

5. Volkswagen Scirocco

Scirocco, originally known as “The Racing Volkswagen”, was an excellent sports car designed specifically for racing yet was adopted by the general public. The Scirocco, while not the most gracious of the Volkswagen range, is a legendary one. Not only did it pave the way for the GTI by getting people thinking about VW as a sports brand, but it gained great success in the Scirocco/Bilstein Cup series. The Scirocco was followed by the much sleeker MK2 in 1981 and was eventually discontinued and replaced by the Corrado in 1992. 

The Scirroco’s performance on the street was also spectacular and impressive that it played an influential role in the company’s transition from air-cooling to water-cooling engines. Based on the Golf platform, and also receiving the Golf’s powertrain options, the first generation of the Scirocco arrived in 1974 and was mass-produced for eight very successful years.

Conclusion

The Volkswagen brand has gone from strength to strength since it started its relationship with the UK all those years ago. From fun-love city cars to spacious SUVs, Volkswagen Group UK is the country’s largest importer of vehicles and has a model for just about anybody. 

Finding the perfect new Volkswagen car could not be easier on cars2buy. Because we operate a fully transparent service where you can see what offers each Volkswagen dealer has, you are in a position to make an informed decision when choosing your next new car. If you’re looking for a small city car then the Volkswagen Up! is the motor for you. How about a car that is compact but still suitable for the family? Then the Volkswagen Polo or VW Golf could be your next ride. To learn more about Volkswagen leases, check out our range today.