13 Times Volkswagen Built Cars Loved by Enthusiasts

Car enthusiasts are the most polarized group of individuals you’ll ever meet. They love cars in general, but they still find themselves pitched in certain camps, such as performance, overland, or efficiency.

Still, within these same camps, they’ll further divide themselves into different packs – VW lovers, Ford fanboys, or Porsche purists. They’ll hold on to these camps and defend them with their lives (mainly behind the keyboard).

Volkswagen has released many cars since its debut in 1937. Over the years, its productions have become automotive masterpieces, building an almost cult-like following among car lovers. While not every car enthusiast loves a VW, certain releases get the nod throughout the car community. The following Volkswagen releases have outdone themselves in performance, design, and counter-culture.

1938 Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)

It’s hard to hate the Volkswagen Beetle. After all, it is one of the world’s most popular cars ever sold. And it doesn’t matter which country you’re in; you’ll likely find a Beetle in running condition.

This early VW release got a lot of love worldwide due to its affordability, simplicity, and reliability. What’s best is this classic Volkswagen features a uniquely placed rear engine running on a rear-wheel-drive layout.

Volkswagen Golf Gti MK1

There’s a lot of buzz around hot hatches, but what the upcoming crop of car enthusiasts might not know is that it all started with the Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1. It was the pioneer of the hot hatch segment and still dominates it to this day.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 (1976) featured a 1.6-liter inline-4 engine good for 108 hp. It was a far cry from current iterations, doing 0 to 60 in 9 seconds and a top speed of 113 mph. The GTI MK1 was a combination of practicability and spirited performance.

VW Scirocco MK1 (1974)

The Volkswagen Scirocco MK1 invokes a calm universal appreciation from car lovers of all walks — I’m not sure if it’s due to its sleek appearance or its timeless classic appeal. However, if you are keen enough, you’ll notice it’s the two-door coupe version of a phenomenal car — the VW MK1 Golf GTI.

The Volkswagen Scirocco MK1 featured the same basic ingredients as the MK1 Golf GTI, including the engine, transmission, and chassis. Its 1.6-liter inline-four engine made 110 hp (GTI version) and had a top speed of 115 mph.

Volkswagen Corrado VR6

There’s a simple recipe for a phenomenal sports car: a big engine, a small body, and great handling. The Volkswagen Corrado VR6 featured this and more. It was a refined, high-performance coupe with excellent handling and iconic styling.

Under the hood, it featured the innovative, compact, and powerful 2.9-liter VR6 engine that made 178 hp and could do 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. That was quite a remarkable performance for its segment in 1992.

Volkswagen Golf R32 (MK4)

Performance car aficionados who were active in the early 2000s will never forget the R32 Golf. It shook the hot-hatch segment with its ferocious acceleration. To top it off, this was a hot hatch with all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

It was a potent combination of all-wheel drive and the potent VR6 engine. The R32 Golf was also the first production car to feature a DSG gearbox.

Volkswagen Passat W8 (2001)

You must have encountered the term sleeper if you’ve been around car circles. It’s a term used to describe a wolf in sheep’s clothing – a car that seems slow but could annihilate its opponent in seconds on the track. The Volkswagen Passat W8 is one of those cars that would perfectly fit that title. In fact, it may have been the ultimate sleeper when it emerged.

The Passat W8 showcased VW’s engine-developing prowess. It was essentially a 4-liter aluminum engine made from two narrow-angle V4 cylinder banks merged at a 72-degree angle, forming a dual V formation. The result was a 275-hp luxury sedan and one of the rarest Passats ever made.

Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Whatever VW wants, VW gets (most times), and in the 2000s, the German automaker decided to shake the waters in the full-luxury sedan segment with the Volkswagen Phaeton W12. This wasn’t your average luxury sedan. It was designed to compete in the major leagues and developed on the same platform as the Bentley Flying Spur and Continental GT.

It packed the renowned 6-liter W12 engine and produced a whopping 444 hp. The Volkswagen Phaeton was a luxury cruiser with cutting-edge engineering and opulence.

Volkswagen Type 2 (Microbus)

The 1960s were an interesting time in the U.S., with many movements vouching for human freedoms. A VW ‘minibus’ played a huge role. Volkswagen’s 1950 Microbus became a symbol of counterculture.

It was, and still is, loved by hippies and was a favorable means of traversing the states, spreading their agenda of freedom and adventure. The Volkswagen Type 2 featured a 1.2-liter flat-four engine good for 30 hp and a top speed of 65 mph.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (MK7)

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S will go into the history books as a phenomenal car for several reasons. For starters, it featured the excellent turbocharged GTI 2-liter engine capable of 306 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque.

The VW Golf GTI Clubsport S also set a lap record at Nürburgring for FWD vehicles. It could do 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and run a top speed of 165 mph. Only 400 units of these rare VWs were produced.

VW Touareg V10 TDI

The Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI is a premium diesel-powered SUV developed by Volkswagen. Underneath, it features a phenomenal 5-liter V10 engine that is good for 309 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.

The VW Touareg V10 TDI luxury SUV was a hit in the car industry and was even offered in the U.S. in 2004. Thanks to the massive torque from the engine, it had unrivaled prowess off-road. It could do 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and had a top speed of 140 mph.

Volkswagen Amarok V6 TDI

The Volkswagen Amarok V6 TDI was developed for a simple reason — to offer truck lovers ample cargo space (with high volume) while still being a comfortable daily car. Think of it as a daily driver with huge cargo space and great off-roading capabilities.

The Volkswagen Amarok V6 TDI featured a turbodiesel 3-liter V6 engine that is good for 255 hp. Thanks to its torquey V6 engine and comfortable, luxurious interior, it has become a hit among truck lovers living in cities.

Volkswagen Golf R (MK8)

The Golf R has always been a silently feared predator at the track – this hot hatch has enough power to embarrass full-blown performance cars. It features VW’s phenomenal turbocharged 2-liter inline-four engine that’s good for 315 hp.

This pocket rocket can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. The mk8 Volkswagen Golf R also features torque vectoring, all-wheel drive, and drift mode, making it the ultimate track car.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz (2022)

With the world making an effort to be efficient and adopt electric vehicles, VW paid homage to one of its most iconic vehicles — the classic Type 2 Microbus — but this time running on electric efficiency.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a mashup of classic design and new-age EV technology. Unlike its 30-hp ancestor, the ID. Buzz makes 204 hp (77 kWh battery) and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds, and on to a top speed of 90 mph.