The Volkswagen Jetta is the best way into a new VW: it has the lowest starting MSRP at $23,995 and the best EPA rating here at 34 mpg combined. The Taos at $26,500 and the Tiguan at $31,205 follow, and the list is ranked on starting MSRP, lowest first, from Volkswagen’s own US lineup page.
$59,995 for the ID. Buzz, shown by Volkswagen on its 2025 ID. Buzz page; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is included
An electric bus with room for a big family and a 5-star NHTSA rating
Pick by what you want
Cheapest
Volkswagen Jetta
Best compact SUV
Volkswagen Tiguan
Best hot hatch
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Best 3-row family SUV
Volkswagen Atlas
Best electric SUV
Volkswagen ID.4
Most powerful
Volkswagen Golf R
The ranking
1
Volkswagen Jetta
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest new VW and the most efficient.
Starting MSRP: $23,995 for the 2027 Jetta; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Turbocharged, 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 34 mpg combined (29 city / 40 hwy) for the 2027 Jetta (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Trunk: 14.1 cu ft, with 37.4 in of rear legroom
The 2027 Jetta starts at $23,995, the lowest price on Volkswagen’s lineup. Its turbocharged engine makes 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and EPA rates it at 34 mpg combined (29 city / 40 hwy). The trunk holds 14.1 cu ft, with 37.4 in of rear legroom.
Go ifThe lowest price of any new Volkswagen, with the best fuel economy here: 34 mpg combined
Skip ifYou want an SUV or more than 158 hp
Why #1 over #2: Its $23,995 start is below the Taos at $26,500, and 34 mpg combined beats the Taos at 30.
2
2027 Volkswagen Taos
Answrs VerdictThe entry-price SUV.
Starting MSRP: $26,500 for the 2027 Taos; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Turbocharged, 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 30 mpg combined (27 city / 35 hwy) for the 2027 Taos front-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Cargo: 65.9 cu ft with the rear seats folded
The 2027 Taos is the cheapest Volkswagen SUV at $26,500. It has a turbocharged engine with 174 hp and 184 lb-ft, 65.9 cu ft of cargo room with the rear seats folded, and a 30 mpg combined EPA rating (27 city / 35 hwy) with front-wheel drive.
Go ifThe cheapest Volkswagen SUV, rated 30 mpg combined
Skip ifYou need a third row
Why #2 over #3: It costs $26,500 against $31,205 for the Tiguan, and gets 30 mpg combined against 29.
3
Volkswagen Tiguan
Answrs VerdictThe all-round compact SUV.
Starting MSRP: $31,205 for the 2027 Tiguan; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Available 268 hp engine; 258 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 hwy) for the 2027 Tiguan S front-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Cargo: 69.8 cu ft with the 2nd row folded
The 2027 Tiguan starts at $31,205 and offers an available 268 hp engine with 258 lb-ft of torque. Cargo space is 69.8 cu ft with the 2nd row folded, and the Tiguan S with front-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 hwy).
Go ifThe compact family SUV in the middle of the range, with 69.8 cu ft of cargo room
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #3 over #4: It starts at $31,205 against $33,795 for the Jetta GLI, with 69.8 cu ft of cargo space.
4
2027 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Answrs VerdictThe sporty Jetta.
Starting MSRP: $33,795 for the 2027 Jetta GLI; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Turbocharged, 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 hwy) for the 2027 GLI (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)
The 2027 Jetta GLI starts at $33,795 and adds a turbocharged engine with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque to the Jetta sedan. EPA rates it at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 hwy).
Go ifA sports sedan with 228 hp that still returns 29 mpg combined
Skip ifYou want a hatchback or all-wheel drive
Why #4 over #5: Its $33,795 start is below the Golf GTI at $34,590.
5
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Answrs VerdictThe classic hot hatch.
Starting MSRP: $34,590 for the 2026 Golf GTI; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: 2.0L TSI turbo engine with 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (24 city / 32 hwy) for the 2026 GTI (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Screen: Standard 12.9 inch touchscreen display
The 2026 Golf GTI starts at $34,590 with a 2.0L TSI turbo engine making 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and a standard 12.9 inch touchscreen. EPA rates it at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 32 hwy).
Go ifThe original hot hatch, with 241 hp and a big standard touchscreen
Skip ifYou want all-wheel drive
Why #5 over #6: It starts at $34,590 against $38,300 for the Atlas Cross Sport, and gets 27 mpg combined against 23.
6
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Answrs VerdictThe sleeker Atlas.
Starting MSRP: $38,300 for the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Turbocharged 2.0 TSI engine with 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 hwy) for the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport front-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Cargo: 77.6 cu ft with the rear seats folded downSafety: Volkswagen says the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport is an IIHS Top Safety Pick
The 2026 Atlas Cross Sport starts at $38,300 with a turbocharged 2.0 TSI engine making 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It holds 77.6 cu ft of cargo with the rear seats folded down, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 hwy) with front-wheel drive, and Volkswagen says it is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Go ifA five-seat midsize SUV with a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS
Skip ifYou need a third row
Why #6 over #7: It costs $38,300 against $41,610 for the Atlas, and makes 269 hp.
7
Volkswagen Atlas
Answrs VerdictThe big family Volkswagen.
Starting MSRP: $41,610 for the 2027 Atlas; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: Turbocharged, 282 hp and 258 lb-ft of torqueEPA fuel economy: 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 hwy) for the 2027 Atlas front-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Cargo: 95.4 cu ft with the 2nd and 3rd rows downTowing: Available towing capacity of 5,000 lbs
The 2027 Atlas starts at $41,610 and is Volkswagen’s 3-row family SUV, redesigned for 2027. Its turbocharged engine makes 282 hp and 258 lb-ft, cargo space is 95.4 cu ft with the 2nd and 3rd rows down, and available towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Atlas at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 hwy).
Go ifThe 3-row family SUV, redesigned for 2027
Skip ifYou want an electric or small vehicle
Why #7 over #8: It starts at $41,610 against $45,095 for the ID.4, and makes 282 hp.
8
Volkswagen ID.4
Answrs VerdictThe Volkswagen EV SUV.
Starting MSRP: $45,095 for the 2026 ID.4; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEPA range: 291 miles for the 2026 ID.4 Pro (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)EPA efficiency: 113 MPGe combined for the 2026 ID.4 rear-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Charging: Included 2-year Electrify America Pass+ membership with Plug&ChargeNHTSA: Volkswagen’s page says NHTSA has not yet given its ratings for this vehicle
The 2026 ID.4 starts at $45,095 and has a 291-mile EPA-estimated range for the ID.4 Pro. EPA rates the rear-wheel-drive ID.4 at 113 MPGe combined. It includes a 2-year Electrify America Pass+ membership, and Volkswagen says NHTSA has not yet rated it.
Go ifThe electric SUV, with 291 miles of EPA range
Skip ifYou can’t charge at home or on the road
Why #8 over #9: It starts at $45,095 against $49,455 for the Golf R, and uses no gasoline.
9
Volkswagen Golf R
Answrs VerdictThe fastest VW to buy.
Starting MSRP: $49,455 for the 2026 Golf R, from Volkswagen’s model list; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEngine: 328 hp and 295 lb-ft of torqueDrive: R-Performance 4MOTION all-wheel driveEPA fuel economy: 25 mpg combined (22 city / 31 hwy) for the 2026 Golf R (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)
The 2026 Golf R starts at $49,455 on Volkswagen’s model list. It makes 328 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and sends power through R-Performance 4MOTION all-wheel drive. EPA rates it at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 31 hwy).
Go ifThe most powerful gas Volkswagen here: 328 hp with all-wheel drive
Skip ifYou want a low price
Why #9 over #10: It starts at $49,455 against $59,995 for the ID. Buzz, and makes 328 hp.
10
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Answrs VerdictThe priciest VW and the most unique.
Starting MSRP: $59,995 for the ID. Buzz, shown by Volkswagen on its 2025 ID. Buzz page; Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is includedEPA range: 231 to 234 miles for the 2025 ID. Buzz, depending on trim (Volkswagen’s page)EPA efficiency: 83 MPGe combined for the 2025 ID. Buzz rear-wheel drive (EPA via fueleconomy.gov)Cargo: 145.5 cu. ft. with the 2nd row folded and 3rd row removedNHTSA: 5 stars overall for the 2025 ID.Buzz, with 4 stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests (NHTSA)
The ID. Buzz starts at $59,995 on Volkswagen’s 2025 ID. Buzz page, so its figures are for the 2025 model. EPA range is 231 to 234 miles and the rear-wheel-drive version is rated at 83 MPGe combined. Cargo space is 145.5 cu. ft. with the 2nd row folded and 3rd row removed, and NHTSA gives the 2025 ID.Buzz 5 stars overall.
Go ifAn electric bus with room for a big family and a 5-star NHTSA rating
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
How we ranked these
We ranked every model on Volkswagen’s own US lineup page (vw.com/en/models) by starting MSRP, lowest first, because it is the one figure all ten share; three are electric, so mpg cannot be compared with MPGe. Prices are as shown on vw.com, and the pages do not say whether destination is included. Model years differ by page: the Jetta, Taos, Tiguan, Jetta GLI and Atlas show 2027, the Golf GTI, Golf R, Atlas Cross Sport and ID.4 show 2026, and the ID. Buzz shows 2025. EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov for the same model year as the price, using the base front-wheel-drive version unless noted. NHTSA ratings are listed only where NHTSA has rated the vehicle. For more Volkswagen lists see our Best Volkswagen GTI Generations at /cars/best-volkswagen-gti-generations-2027/ and Best Volkswagen Passat Model Years at /cars/best-volkswagen-passat-model-years-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest new Volkswagen in 2027?
The Jetta, at a $23,995 starting MSRP for the 2027 model, then the Taos SUV at $26,500. Volkswagen’s page does not say whether destination is included.
Which Volkswagen gets the best gas mileage?
The 2027 Jetta, EPA-rated at 34 mpg combined (29 city / 40 hwy). The 2027 Taos is next at 30 mpg combined.
Which Volkswagen SUV has a third row?
The Atlas. Volkswagen calls the 2027 Atlas a 3-row family SUV starting at $41,610, with 95.4 cu ft of cargo room with the 2nd and 3rd rows down.
How far can the Volkswagen ID.4 go on a charge?
Volkswagen lists a 291-mile EPA-estimated range for the 2026 ID.4 Pro, from a $45,095 starting MSRP.
Starting MSRP in US dollars from vw.com; lower is cheaper at a glance
Volkswagen Jetta23,995 USD
2027 Volkswagen Taos26,500 USD
Volkswagen Tiguan31,205 USD
2027 Volkswagen Jetta GLI33,795 USD
Volkswagen Golf GTI34,590 USD
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport38,300 USD
Volkswagen Atlas41,610 USD
Volkswagen ID.445,095 USD
Volkswagen Golf R49,455 USD
Volkswagen ID. Buzz59,995 USD
Starting MSRP in US dollars from vw.com; lower is cheaper, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
