Is a Volkswagen Hybrid Worth It?
Volkswagen has stopped orders for its plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2022, but pushes on with the electric ID.4 model.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With a shifting focus toward an all-electric vehicle lineup amid supply shortages, Volkswagen announced in 2022 that it would cease filling orders for its lineup of plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). However, its 2022 Volkswagen ID.4, an electric compact crossover SUV, is still available for sale and the company is taking orders for the 2023 model.
Volkswagen has committed to producing an all-electric fleet of passenger vehicles soon, and this will be powered by continued PHEV production. However, the company has noted its supply issues may not be resolved before 2022 is over. Before 2022’s supply shortages, the manufacturer sold special order Jettas and Passats in the GTE line with optional PHEV powertrains.
If you want to know more about used and discontinued Volkswagen hybrid models, as well as the evolving ID model line of electric cars, we've got you covered.
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The best Volkswagen hybrid cars
Volkswagen’s hybrid production for North American markets was limited in the past, and is now further hampered by supply issues that have derailed attempts at further production. But, there still are a few standouts among the available hybrid model years for the Volkswagen Jetta and Touareg.
Hybrid Volkswagen Jetta
From 2013 to 2016, Volkswagen marketed a
Jetta hybrid
sedan. In 2016, the Jetta hybrid started at $31,120, Today, a used 2016 Jetta hybrid in good condition can sell for anywhere from $10,000 to $16,000, depending on its trim level and options. The 2013 and 2014 Jetta hybrid models were well received and reviewed, but if you’re looking to buy a used Volkswagen hybrid sedan, check out the 2015 and 2016 models. The Jetta received a restyling in 2015, which enhanced its performance and standard options, including a newly-added blind-spot monitoring system, forward collision warning, and rear traffic alert. The 2015 Jetta hybrid’s safety ratings also improved over the 2013 and 2014 years, earning a five-star rating from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
.Hybrid Volkswagen Touareg
In North America, Volkswagen produced a hybrid Touareg midsize SUV from 2011 to 2015. The line has continued in Europe, with the Touareg-R hybrid getting up to 456 horsepower in 2020.
But in American markets, your options are limited to the used models. Slow sales ended the Touareg hybrid run for Americans in 2015, but that year saw the SUV achieve a respectable 380 horsepower. The 2015 model year is also preferable because that’s when Volkwagen introduced more driver assistance features, similar to the Jetta hybrid.
In 2015, the Touareg hybrid model was actually the most powerful Touareg you could buy, outperforming the standard and TDI V6 models by 100 horsepower or more. It produced 428 lb-ft of torque, and got from 0 to 60 in just 5.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs for its size, regardless of the powertrain.
However, all that power came at a cost. The Touareg hybrid only got an estimated combined 21 mpg. That’s dismal fuel economy for a car marketed as a hybrid. With a starting price in 2015 of $66,995, it’s easy to see why sales were slow. Today, a 2015 Touareg hybrid in good used condition will still cost $25,000 to $32,000.
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Volkswagen introduced the ID.4 electric SUV in 2021, and improved the vehicle’s range and performance for the 2022 model. The 2022 ID.4 is available in two trim options. The ID.4 Pro starts at $42,425, and the
Pro S
trim starts at $46,925. Both have available all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive models for both trims cost about $3,000 more than the rear-wheel drive option.The ID.4 brings with it a surprising amount of power for an electric vehicle. Its rear-wheel drive gets 201 horsepower, but opting for the all-wheel drive will get you 295 horsepower. It’s worth noting, though, that the all-wheel drive option slightly reduces the battery’s range.
If you have something to haul, the ID.4 has a 2,700-pound towing capacity, which defies popular preconceptions about what electric vehicles can and can’t do. The all-wheel drive ID.4 has also demonstrated a stunning 5.4-second 0-60 time, while the rear-wheel drive took 7.6 seconds to get there—not exactly speedy, but still a respectable rate of acceleration for an SUV.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2022 ID.4 trim levels and drivetrain options, along with their battery ranges:
Trim | Drivetrain | Starting price | Range per charge |
|---|---|---|---|
Pro | RWD | $42,425 | 280 miles |
Pro S | RWD | $46,925 | 268 miles |
Pro | AWD | $46,105 | 251 miles |
Pro S | AWD | $50,605 | 245 miles |
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?
The ID.4 is the first of Volkswagen’s all-electric line to be available for sale in the United States, though more are sure to come. An electric car like the ID.4 is different from other alternative energy vehicles because they’re only powered by electricity. They’re plugged in to charge and are propelled entirely by battery power.
Hybrid vehicles are a little different because they are powered in part by battery and in part by traditional gasoline fuel. Basically, the hybrid battery can harness energy passively from the fuel-powered engine. This charges the battery, enabling it to be the main power source for driving some of the time.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are similar, except instead of their batteries being recharged by the engine’s combustion process, they are charged by plugging in. They’re similar to electric vehicles because the battery requires an external electric charge. But they’re also similar to hybrid vehicles because they also still use fuel as a power source.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
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How to get sustainable rates on car insurance
If you’re set on buying a hybrid from the Volkswagen lineup, your options are going to be limited to used vehicles, and the pickings might be slim. However, your options for car insurance are wide open, especially if you use
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FAQs
Can I get a tax credit for driving a hybrid?
Yes! You can claim up to $7,500 in
tax credits
for purchasing a new electric or hybrid vehicle. However, because Volkswagen’s hybrid and electric lineup is limited, you wouldn’t qualify for this credit unless you purchase a new ID.4.Does it cost more to insure a hybrid or electric car?
The answer to this question is, unfortunately, also yes. It generally costs more to
insure a green energy vehicle
. However, you can recoup this expense by saving on what you’d normally spend for fuel, along with comparison shopping for car insurance with Jerry
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