How Reliable Are Volkswagens? Here’s What Consumer Reports Says

Volkswagen has a strong heritage and a wide lineup of cars and SUVs, but reliability rankings show the brand as a mixed bag especially compared to rivals from Japan and Korea. According to Consumer Reports’ latest reliability survey, Volkswagen ranks around the middle or slightly below average among new vehicles, with some models performing much better than others. Here’s what the data actually says about VW reliability and what buyers should keep in mind before purchasing one.

Volkswagen Jetta

man, the jetta, I don’t know… it’s like that kid in school who looked super sharp but you always had this tiny gut feeling he’s hiding bad grades. reliable? hmm. some people say it’s fine, others are like “nah, mine broke at 60k” and you just sit there wondering who’s lying. if you’ve got around, what, twenty-something grand? you can probably grab one. I remember riding in one that smelled like crayons for some reason (why do old volkswagens smell like that??). solid car tho. sometimes.

Volkswagen Golf

ah, the golf. my uncle had one, silver, never washed it once but somehow it always looked… decent? like it wore dirt proudly. it felt tight, in a good way, you know? Consumer Reports says it’s “pretty average” reliability wise and yeah that’s exactly it, like you trust it but not for a road trip across mountains. maybe around $30k now? not pocket change but feels grown up. good stereo, weird cupholders.

Volkswagen Passat

passats feel like they’re pretending to be luxury but, like, on a part time job budget. comfy seats tho. I drove one once and the AC smelled faintly like old gum (don’t ask). reliability? eh, Consumer Reports wasn’t too thrilled, said something about long term issues. you start to realize it behaves like that one friend who never shows up on time, good person, just… flaky. 35k or something new? not terrible, not great.

Volkswagen Tiguan

the tiguan looks nice in parking lots. sharp lights. but every single friend who had one complained about small stuff, like the screen freezing or some random light saying “check engine” for no reason at all. you start ignoring it after a while. around $33,000 maybe? the seats hug you tight though, and I like that. also I think they quietly updated the transmission after too many people yelled online (I could be wrong).

Volkswagen Atlas

so the atlas is like a big guy trying to fit into skinny jeans. big family type SUV, yeah, but feels clunky. Consumer Reports gave it that side eye rating, not horrible, not stellar. I sat in one once, smelled new but plasticky, like fresh sneakers. I think it started at like $38k or something and climbed scary fast once you click “add options.” drives smoother than it looks, though. oddly peaceful on highways.

Volkswagen Taos

oh the taos. honestly, I keep forgetting it exists. small SUV trying to be useful, and it kinda is? I test drove one when I was bored, it’s light, peppy, but the engine noise… sounded like a leaf blower on espresso. price was, what, under 30k? cheap ish, but maybe that’s the point. Consumer Reports said reliability’s “meh,” which is basically the brand’s personality now.

Volkswagen Arteon

this one tries so hard. long, sleek, fancy badge, feels like Volkswagen’s midlife crisis car. I sat in one at a dealership (they had coffee, so yeah) and it felt too quiet. like expensive quiet. reliability? questionable, like dating someone who owns three scented candles but can’t commit. costs maybe fifty grand now, which… ouch. beautiful car though. totally the one that makes your neighbors jealous until something breaks.

Volkswagen ID.4

the electric one! I actually like these. funky little design, kinda futuristic but still somehow dull. Consumer Reports was semi okay with it, not Tesla level drama but not Toyota level chill either. I think it’s around $45k? maybe less with tax stuff. drove one once, instant torque made me squeal (quietly). the screens… oh man, touch sensitive buttons that never cooperate, why Volkswagen why.

Volkswagen Beetle

rip to the beetle, man. that car had soul. not reliable, god no, but it felt something. even Consumer Reports kinda treated it like that old friend you forgive everything for. my cousin’s yellow one used to stall randomly but we loved it anyway. smelled weirdly like crayons and perfume. if you find a used one for, like, $15k–$20k, go for nostalgia, not sanity.

Volkswagen CC

now this one was… confusing. looked like a designer sedan, but something always off. Consumer Reports pretty much shrugged at it, mileage meh, repairs meh. I rode shotgun in one once while the guy played Coldplay too loud. smooth ride, but every bump felt like a sigh. probably costs like $25k if you can even find one used, maybe less. weirdly miss it, though.