The 6 Volkswagen Models that Made the Car and Driver Editors’ Choice List

VW Vehicles that Scored Big and How to Test Drive Them at Your Local Volkswagen Dealer

It’s a great feeling knowing that your vehicles are winning over the hearts and minds of drivers and reviewers. As your trusted local Volkswagen dealer here in Lee’s Summit, we always strive to show every customer the VW vehicle that’s the perfect fit for their budget, driving style, and family dynamic.

However, nothing is a bigger draw than a VW vehicle that’s been deemed a top performer by a major publication. We love good press, and it turns out that no less than six VW vehicles made the Car and Driver Editors’ Choice List for 2022.

The next time you’re searching for a Volkswagen near you, keep a look-out for any of the following vehicles.

#1 – The Volkswagen Golf R (Sport Compact Car category)

The praise from critics: They loved how the VW Golf R handles and remarked on its snappy performance. They also liked the overall practicality and understated look, calling it the “hot hatch for mature driving enthusiasts.”

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: No doubt about it, the VW Golf R is an incredibly zippy car that hits all the right notes from a performance standpoint. The 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with R-performance torque vectoring 4MOTION all-wheel-drive promises an exhilarating driving experience. Golf R drivers will have 295 lb-ft. of torque and 315 horsepower at their beck and call.

#2 – Volkswagen Golf GTI (Sport Compact Car category)

The praise from critics: Reviewers were impressed at how this newest iteration (the Mk8) of the Golf GTI somehow managed to improve on the previous one. It’s quicker and lighter than the Mk7 and yet somehow manages to remain practical.

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: It’s easy to get the Golf R and the Golf GTI confused. After all, they’re both speedy hatchbacks. The Golf R provides more by way of performance, but the Golf GTI is no slouch in that department with its 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque. People also love the fact they can get this speedy whip for a starting MSRP of under $30k.

#3 – Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Sport Compact Car category)

The praise from critics: Reviewers loved the upscale feature package included with the Jetta GLI and remarked on its unexpected practicality and fun driving style. Additionally, they said it would be difficult to find a sedan that’s more fun to drive.

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: We totally agree with the reviewers on this one. The Jetta GLI is super fun to drive. Trust us – we’ve been around the block in it a time or two. The 2.0L Turbo engine and 228 horsepower with 258 lb-ft. of torque provides a race car experience in the body of a sedan. With a starting MSRP of $31,295, this vehicle is a steal.

#4 – Volkswagen ID.4 (Electric SUV category)

The praise from critics: They loved how the ID.4 packs plenty of storage and space despite it being a subcompact SUV. They also praised its smooth driving, ease of use, and fantastic single charge driving range.

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: We mention this often, but we’ll mention it again – we don’t think our first foray in the EV market could have gone any better. Once the VW ID.4 won the 2021 World Car of the Year Award, we knew it would be a certified hit. It’s the perfect vehicle for any family that has been thinking about switching over to electric but hasn’t pulled the trigger yet. The Pro Edition provides 280 miles on a single charge, so you can count on it to get you to where you need to go throughout the workweek.

#5 – Volkswagen Tiguan (Compact SUV category)

The praise from critics: No surprises here. The reviewers loved the massive amount of cabin space, which is nearly 74 cubic ft. with the rear seats folded down. They also praised the sporty handling, slick design, and refined driving experience this SUV offers.

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: People love the Tiguan because it offers all the classic hallmarks of a high-performance SUV with plenty of upscale features and design elements that only VW can offer. It’s the perfect vehicle for those with a large family dynamic who need tons of space for weekend getaways and road trips.

#6 – Volkswagen Taos (Subcompact SUV category)

The praise from critics: Although the Taos is the smallest of the VW SUV lineup, it made a big impression with reviewers. They remarked on the huge backseat and ample cargo room the Taos gives drivers. The fuel economy the Taos offers (28 city/36 highway) was also a huge plus.

A note from your Volkswagen dealer: The cool thing about the Taos is that it’s the SUV for the person that doesn’t need all the bulk and curb weight. Granted, it’s got an SUV body, but its scaled-down size allows it to handle with a fair amount of agility on the road like a sedan. Another big perk is the cost of ownership. The Taos has a starting MSRP of just $23,495, making this our least expensive SUV of the pack.

Visit Your Local Volkswagen Dealer in Lee’s Summit Today!

Now that you know which VW vehicles are scoring big with reviewers, the next step is for you to test drive some of these for yourself. No need to Google “Volkswagen near me.” You can come down to VW Lee’s Summit straightaway at 2225 NE Independence Ave.

Not yet in the market for a new car? No problem! VW Lee’s Summit is the leading used car dealership near you that carries a wide variety of used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. We also run plenty of great deals on VW products and services in our specials section.

Contact us at (816) 841-7252 or email us using the contact form on our website to get in touch with our team. If you’re a current VW owner in need of routine maintenance or service, you can contact the Volkswagen service center to make an appointment.