German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen has been going strong since 1937, with its long-standing reputation for reliability and style sparking the company’s evolution into a £41.9 billion global brand.
Ranked in the world’s top two manufacturers constantly since 2016, in terms of the number of vehicles produced; statistics for 2024 show that VW sold 9.03 million automobiles across all models, second only to Toyota’s 10.8 million.
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Established in Wolfsburg in an era when only one in every 50 Germans owned a car, the Volkswagen was considered a luxury, although its name translated to “people’s car” and the brand was aimed more at the working class demographic.
The second world war in 1939 saw the VW factory taken over for military production, later becoming a symbol of post-war recovery for West Germany.
In 1948, the first Volkswagens were imported into the UK by Colborne Garages of Ripley, Surrey, entering the US in 1949 and Canada in 1952. Today, the company has 114 production facilities globally, including across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa.
What is the top model of Volkswagen?
Over the past 88 years, there have been an incredible 87 different VW models and variants, but many of them are discontinued now. One long lived model is the Volkswagen Passat, first produced in 1974 and evolving through 11 generations during the past five decades, selling around 34 million units.
Also launched in 1974, the VW Scirocco is another model with amazing longevity, making a comeback with a totally revamped third generation model in 2008 that received a five-star safety rating. It finally went out of production in 2018, more than 40 years after its launch.
However, neither is the most popular Volkswagen car, despite their worldwide fame. We’re guiding you through six of the best Volkswagen models in history and why they are motorists’ favourites in the 21st century.
6. VW Caddy
Hardworking and great for Volkswagen retrofits and tracking upgrades, the VW Caddy is a van used by businesses and for leisure purposes. First launched in North America in 1979, it went on sale in Europe in 1982. The first and second generation Caddy also came in coupe utility pick-up variants. More than three million have been sold worldwide, including around 200,000 in the UK, and it continues to be a popular choice for business use.
There are around 123,000 currently registered on Britain’s roads, including passenger versions, with the latest being the VW Caddy Cargo, launched in 2021. At £29,000, it is a viable alternative to rivals’ more expensive small vans.
5. VW Polo
Small but mighty, and urban-friendly, the VW Polo has been rolling off the production line since 1975, evolving through seven generations since its launch. Produced in hatchback, saloon and estate options, they are commonly identified by a “Mark” or “Series” number. More than 20 million models have been sold globally.
The most popular models include the saloon, known as the Volkswagen Polo Classic, and the Volkswagen Polo Coupé, a hatchback with sloping tailgate. The Polo has been one of the most popular cars in the UK since 2000, with around 656,000 registered with DVLA.
4. VW Beetle
The VW Beetle is probably the manufacturer’s most iconic car due to its historic success and nostalgic appeal, including its connection with the famous Herbie racing car in the series of blockbuster Walt Disney films. This world famous classic has sold more than 21.5 million models since first being manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, in 1938.
Designed as an inexpensive and practical family car in pre-war Germany, the Beetle went on to become the best-selling automobile of the 1950s and popular among hippies as a symbol of love and peace in the 1960s. During its heyday, everyone wanted a “Herbie”, the Beetle’s nickname after Disney created a living car with a mind of its own in the film franchise, starting in 1968 with The Love Bug.
Since mass production of the famous Type 1 Beetle stopped in 2003, it has become highly sought after among collectors, with some models attracting prices of around £150,000 at auctions.
3. VW Transporter
No list would be complete without the iconic VW Transporter, which is perfect for everyone from campers to businesses. As the best-selling van in history, more than 13 million Transporters have been sold. It’s a favourite among globetrotters for road trips all over the world.
First produced in 1950, the Transporter comprises a huge range of variants from minivans, minibuses and vans to campervans, pick-up trucks and chassis cabs.
It’s also ideal for a Volkswagen retrofit to ensure the charm of older models combines with the safety, security and convenience of the latest VWs. Fitting modern tech, such as a Volkswagen tracker, reverse camera or parking sensors, can make an already enjoyable drive achieve optimum satisfaction levels.
2. VW Tiguan
Fast-growing in popularity, the VW Tiguan is an ideal family SUV. Launched in 2007, it sits somewhere between the larger Touareg and the smaller T-Roc in the manufacturer’s crossover sports utility vehicle range. After starting life as a concept car at the 2006 LA Auto Show, mass production of the Tiguan began in 2007.
With a choice of two engines (a 2.0-litre or a 1.4-litre), the model was built on the PQ46 platform shared by its stablemates the Passat and Sharan. The basic Trend and Fun design features six airbags, integrated ESP and Trailer Stability Programme and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold. The Sport and Style design offers additional features such as tinted windows and sports seats with height-adjustable lumbar supports. The top-level Track and Field variant features a redesigned front module, hill descent and ascent assistant and ABS adaptation to aid safer braking.
To date, more than six million Tiguans have been sold worldwide.
1. VW Golf
The most popular Volkswagen car globally is the VW Golf, which has sporty variants like the GTI, as well as standard models such as the five-door hatchback. Launched in 1974, this compact family car has been marketed worldwide through eight generations. The best-selling VW model historically, it has sold more than 37 million units to date.
With a front engine, the first Golf Mk1 was a front-wheel drive hatchback, in a shift from Volkswagen's main car lines featuring rear engines and rear-wheel drive. The hatchback sold more than the subsequent five-door variants. Other notable Golf lines have included the convertible Cabriolet from 1979, the Jetta saloon in 1980 and the Estate in 1993.
Today, the Golf range covers everything from economy to high-performance versions and has won multiple awards, including the 2009 World Car of the Year, chosen by around 100 automotive journalists from 30 different countries. It also won European Car of the Year in 1992 and 2013.
