While Volkswagen
makes a lot of great sedans, its first SUV didn't actually appear until 2002. Before then, drivers with many passengers leaned towards buying a VW Bus. In America, the iconic hippie-mobile was discontinued back in the ‘70s. Today, Volkswagen currently has five SUV options. What do all of them have to offer, and which ones are worth your money? Let's see what Consumer Reports
(CR) has to say. There are two Atlas Volkswagen SUVs
The Volkswagen Atlas has three rows, allowing it to seat up to seven riders. Every seat is wide and cozy, even if you're sitting all the way in the back. Legroom is also excellent in the first two rows.
The second row is more functional compared to other SUVs. It can be folded against the rear doors, giving you easy access to the third row. The Atlas also features class-leading cargo space.
In CR's road test, the Atlas was found to have a smooth and balanced ride. It's slower than similar SUVs in the segment, but it's still a good highway cruiser.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a smaller version of the Atlas, seating five riders. Unlike its larger twin, CR was impressed with the pep from this SUV's turbocharged engine.
Despite its smaller size, the Atlas Cross Sport still has a good amount of cargo and passenger area. However, its wide stance makes it a challenge to park. Both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport have starting prices around $33,00-$35,000.
What about the Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Taos is a new subcompact SUV, released for the 2022 model year. Despite its size and low stance, CR was impressed with its visibility and passenger area.
Its 1.5-liter turbo engine might not be quick off the starting line, but it gives the Taos some zippy handling. However, both transmission offerings suffer from unpredictable power delivery, especially the dual-clutch option. If you can forgive its flaws, a new Taos can be purchased for about $23,500.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a slightly larger SUV and comes with a bigger 184-horsepower turbocharged engine. However, despite the extra power, its acceleration lags behind the Taos and several other cars in the segment. The Tiguan also has a spotty reliability record, particularly due to its subpar brakes and build quality.
Still, CR praised this SUV's roominess and user-friendly technology. Any given Tiguan is usually $3,000 more than a similar Taos.
MORE: The 2022 VW Tiguan Got a Poor Rating by Consumer Reports in One Specific Area
The ID.4 is a nice all-electric option
The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the most expensive choices, retailing for as high as $47,230. Pro S models get the best acceleration, needing only 5.4 seconds to reach 60 mph.
It also has sporty handling, though you might experience some body lean around corners. The Volkswagen ID.4 can accommodate five riders inside an upscale, whisper-quiet cabin. This SUV has a healthy electric range of up to 295 miles, but CR testers experienced long charging times.
MORE: This Electric Crossover Could Drive the EV Revolution
Do Volkswagen SUVs have good insurance rates?
Even though it's not a luxury brand, Volkswagen SUVs are more expensive to insure compared to their rivals. For example, premiums on a new VW Taos typically total about $3,500 per year
. Most SUVs from other automakers only cost about $2,700 to insure on an annual basis. If your heart is set on a Volkswagen SUV, there are still plenty of ways to find cheap (yet quality!) car insurance. The easiest one is signing up with Jerry
, a super-app that simplifies the insurance shopping experience. This app can get you enrolled in new coverage plans, switch providers, and help with canceling unwanted policies! 
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