Volkswagen Model History

Germany · founded 1937

Germany's people's-car brand, maker of the Beetle and the Golf — two of the most-produced cars ever.

Volkswagen Golf Mk1 hatchback front view

Photo: “File:Aigner vorn.jpg” by Uwe Dörrbecker / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain

Models

Golf

Volkswagen's defining hatchback and the originator of the hot-hatch GTI — sold early in the US as the 'Rabbit'.

Compact car · 1974–present
53 model years
Beetle (classic)

The original air-cooled, rear-engined people's car — one of the most-produced cars in history.

Economy car · 1938–2003
Karmann Ghia

A stylish Italian-designed, German-built coupe and convertible on the humble Beetle's air-cooled platform.

Sports car · 1955–1974
Type 2 (Bus / Microbus)

The original air-cooled VW Bus — the 'Splitscreen' and 'Bay Window' Microbus icons.

Van · 1950–1979
Type 3

A roomier air-cooled VW sold in the US as the Squareback wagon, Fastback, and Notchback.

Compact car · 1961–1973
New Beetle / Beetle (retro)

The retro, front-engined revival — a Golf-based homage to the air-cooled original.

Compact car · 1998–2019
Jetta

The Golf's three-box sedan sibling — Volkswagen's best-selling US model, with the performance GLI on top.

Compact car · 1980–present
Passat

Volkswagen's mid-size sedan and wagon — from the European-flavored 'Dasher' to a US-built family car.

Mid-size car · 1974–2022
CC

A sleek four-door 'coupe' version of the Passat, styled for a more premium, design-led buyer.

Mid-size car · 2009–2017
Arteon

Volkswagen's flagship four-door 'fastback' — the design-led successor to the CC.

Mid-size car · 2019–2023
Phaeton

Volkswagen's ambitious, technically lavish luxury flagship — a commercial flop in the US.

Full-size luxury car · 2004–2006
Scirocco

A Giugiaro-styled sport coupe on the Golf platform — Volkswagen's water-cooled successor to the Karmann Ghia.

Sports car · 1975–1988
Corrado

A premium Golf-based sport coupe with a supercharged G60 and later the narrow-angle VR6.

Sports car · 1990–1994
Eos

A Golf-based hardtop convertible with an unusual folding roof that also had an integrated sunroof.

Convertible · 2007–2016
Tiguan

Volkswagen's compact crossover — the brand's global best-seller, grown roomier with a third row for the US.

Compact SUV · 2009–present
Taos

Volkswagen's smallest US crossover, slotting beneath the Tiguan as an affordable entry SUV.

Subcompact SUV · 2022–present
Atlas

Volkswagen's three-row family SUV, built in Tennessee specifically for the North American market.

Mid-size SUV · 2018–present
Touareg

Volkswagen's premium body-on-unibody SUV — shared with the Porsche Cayenne, with a V10 TDI option.

Mid-size SUV · 2004–2017
Routan

A rebadged Chrysler minivan sold by Volkswagen in North America to fill a gap in its lineup.

Minivan · 2009–2014
ID.4

Volkswagen's first mainstream US electric vehicle — a compact crossover on the dedicated MEB platform.

Electric SUV · 2021–present
ID. Buzz

An electric, retro-styled revival of the Microbus — a battery-powered homage to the classic VW Bus.

Electric van · 2025–present

Other makes

Volkswagen Model History

Models

Golf

Beetle (classic)

Karmann Ghia

Type 2 (Bus / Microbus)

Type 3

New Beetle / Beetle (retro)

Jetta

Passat

CC

Arteon

Phaeton

Scirocco

Corrado

Eos

Tiguan

Taos

Atlas

Touareg

Routan

ID.4

ID. Buzz