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Most of Volkswagen’s models are affordable despite looking and feeling nicer than their prices may suggest. Even the cheapest model of 2025 is more than adequate for a budget car. In this world of constant inflation, price gauging, ridiculously unnecessary tariffs, and rent monopolies, it’s nice to know about these cheap Volkswagen models that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In this article, we focus on new models like the VW Golf GTI and Toas, without regard to potential reliability, which might end up costing you more in the future than a comparable Japanese car that starts at the same price point. However, Volkswagen’s cheapest car should still last for years without issues as long as it’s properly taken care of. Here are the five cheapest VW models on sale today.

5

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Base Price: $32,715

Of the ten models on sale this year, the fifth cheapest is actually one of the brand’s “sports cars.” The Jetta GLI is essentially the sedan version of the Golf GTI, which we’ll get to next. We put the words “sports car” in quotes, though, since it’s not all that sporty with a 2.0L engine making only 228 horsepower. However, it picks up the slack with a six-speed manual transmission and fun styling. The GLI model might not be too expensive, but it’s equipped with red accents, somewhat more aggressive exterior trim, and the interior is still mostly modern. In fact, even though the infotainment system is starting to look somewhat outdated already, our test driver discovered it’s easy to use, responsive, and just the right size. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as well as heated and ventilated front seats with leather surfaces, ambient lighting, and dual-zone climate control.

*City/highway/combined per EPA

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4

2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Base Price: $32,445

A classic and one of the most fun hot hatchbacks you can buy today is the Golf GTI, which is astonishing when you consider it’s one of Volkswagen’s cheapest cars. The base model, called the S trim, starts at just $32,445. For that price, you get another 2.0L four-cylinder, but this one is tuned for even more power than the GLI sedan. When one of our test drivers was behind the wheel, he found the experience plenty quick with good throttle response. One downside, though, is that the GTI currently does not offer a manual transmission like the GLI does. Instead, the 2025 model year is equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

*City/highway/combined per EPA

3

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Base Price: $29,495

Two of Volkswagen’s most affordable models are SUVs, with the first option being the mid-sized Tiguan. We drove this model, too, and found it a vast improvement over the outgoing version, which felt old and cheap from the start. The base model is still stuck with front-wheel drive, but if you’re willing to spend a few thousand more, you can access all-wheel drive and a small bump in torque to 221 lb-ft. The base model is by no means barren, though. Our driver found the interior “an undeniable leap forward in both design and materials” (Brett T. Evans, CarBuzz). It’s filled with more features than you might expect, like a standard 12.9-inch center infotainment screen, 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and more.

*City/highway/combined per EPA

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2

2025 Volkswagen Taos

Base Price: $24,995

The Volkswagen Taos takes a $4.5k drop from the base model Tiguan, and it’s noticeable. That’s not to say it’s bad, though. As the second-cheapest car Volkswagen has to offer this year, the Taos is fairly minimal to start off with. In higher trims, you have access to AWD and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, but the engine stays the same throughout its range. Plus, the FWD, eight-speed auto combination gives the Taos better fuel economy, anyway. Standard equipment includes an eight-inch floating infotainment system, cloth seats, and manual air conditioning. It still has all the regular VW safety features, though, like a backup camera, electronic stability control, an anti-theft engine immobilizer, and more.

*City/highway/combined per EPA

1

2025 Volkswagen Jetta

Base Price: $22,495

The Jetta is officially the cheapest Volkswagen car on sale for the 2025 model year with a starting price of $22,495. When we reviewed this sedan, our test driver found it a pleasant drive on typical commuter roads. While competitors like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 sedan beat it in terms of fun factor, that’s not really the point of the Jetta – that’s the GLI’s game plan, as we talked about earlier. As far as commuter cars go, this VW is one of the least expensive, yet reasonably well-equipped examples for its price.

You might not have a lot of power coming from its 1.5L turbo-four, but its fuel economy is respectable at 33 mpg combined. On the inside of the base model, you get manually adjustable cloth-trimmed seats, dual-zone air conditioning, and a multi-functional steering wheel with radio controls. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, electronic stability control, an electronic differential lock, and more. If you can’t tell yet, the base trim is rather sparse on equipment.

*City/highway/combined per EPA

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Source: Volkswagen