The term Volkswagen translates to people’s car. The company is known for its iconic models like the Golf GTI and the Beetle. But not all models they made were well-received. Some models were criticised heavily and some were a sales flop. Today, we will take a look at the Worst Volkswagen Cars ever made. For some reason, these cars didn’t match the taste of the buyers and were not as successful as other models in the VWs lineup. While Some were downright terrible. Let’s take a look:-
- Volkswagen Model 181 ‘The Thing’
- VW Phaeton
- Volkswagen Jetta
- VW Passat
- Volkswagen Golf Harlequin
5. Volkswagen Model 181 ‘The Thing’
![Worst Volkswagen Cars Ever Made: VW THING](https://autobizz.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VW-Thing.jpg)
Starting the list of Worst Volkswagen Cars ever made with ‘The Thing’. The design of Model 181 is so out-of-the-box (That looks like a box) that it seems the maker was unable to give it a proper name. So they continued selling the model with the Type 181 name. It shares its parts with various other VW products like the Kubelwagen, Beetle and the Karmann Ghia. Its looks are surely different, but it is very grounded. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot one being driven on a beach. With a mere 48 HP, what else can you do other than cruising on the beach? Due to increased safety regulations, it had to be discontinued just after two years of its production.
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4. VW Phaeton
![](https://autobizz.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VW-phaeton-scaled.jpg)
What could possibly go wrong with a premium vehicle having a W12 engine that makes 420 HP and 406 pound-feet of torque? Well, it’s the badge that it wears. Volkswagen is known for building affordable cars and luxury was never its strong suit. But when VW decided to compete with comfort-oriented limos like the Mercedes Benz S-class and Lexus LS, they never imagined the result would be like this. It was a terrible decision. Its interior wasn’t that classy and handling wasn’t as refined. Overall, it felt more like an ‘Airport Taxi’ than a ‘Class-leading limousine’. What else can you expect from a car marketed as ‘Luxury car for people who don’t like to Show-off’? It was more like a stretched out VW Passat.
3. Volkswagen Jetta
![](https://autobizz.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VW-jetta.jpg)
Don’t get us wrong. We are not saying Jetta is a bad product overall, we are talking about some generations of it. Take the SportWagen version for instance. It had the smallest yet most effective problem, i.e. the stock radio that tended to conk off easily. The 2003 model required oil after refuelling it every time. The 2006 Jetta suffered multiple problems, from the water pump to Oil leakage and Reverse gear failure. The 2011 Jetta had Interior quality problems. No wonder this model is on the list of the Worst Volkswagen Cars ever made.
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2. VW Passat
![](https://autobizz.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VW-Passat-2003.jpg)
Thought the Jetta is the limit? Wait till you see the problems with the Passat. The 2002 model got termed by people as ‘Fancy Looks Chep Build’ as it had specs that didn’t match its looks. It was very slow and had major alignment issues. Volkswagen updated it in 2003, but sadly its non-attractive looks and feels made it a sales failure. While the 2006 model required preventive maintenance to make sure that the engine is in good condition. Thank God Volkwagen has improved the further models to be much better.
1. Volkswagen Golf Harlequin
![Worst Volkswagen Cars Ever Made: VW Golf Harlequin](https://autobizz.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VW-Golf-Harlequin.jpg)
Does this remind you of giving your child colours and a picture of a car to paint it in whatever colour he/she wants? Yes, that’s how bad this looks. This car deserves the title of the ‘Worst Looking Volkswagen Car Ever Made’. The Base model was an Mk3 Golf which the company turned into this awful looking car. We don’t know what Volkswagen thought while making this. It is good that this was a limited edition and Volkswagen didn’t carry forward this design in other generations. This model used to cost $150 more than the standard model. Who bought this and why is the question here.
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