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Volkswagen started out making one of the best-loved small cars of all time, the Beetle. Today, VW offers a range of small cars, with a mix of petrol, diesel, hybrid and fully electric models. Hereā€™s everything you need to know about Volkswagenā€™s smaller modelsā€¦

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Volkswagen small car range: current models

Hereā€™s a quick round-up of Volkswagenā€™s small car range.

Volkswagen Polo

Classy, refined, comfortable ā€“ the Polo is a thoroughly grown-up small car. Itā€™s not the most fun to drive, and some buyers will find its signature understatement boring. But this is a very capable small hatchback with plenty of boot space and a posh cabin.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Polo GTI is Volkswagenā€™s smallest hot hatch. Itā€™s fun rather than downright exciting, though. If you spend as much time driving on motorways as twisty backroads the Polo GTI could be just what you are looking for, blending performance with comfort and decent space for a car of this size.

Volkswagen Golf

If you want a car thatā€™s small-ish rather than really small, then the Volkswagen Golf should suit you. The latest update has fixed some of the Golf Mk8ā€™s issues, particularly the frustrating infotainment, while building on its strengths. This is a practical, comfortable, and efficient car.

Volkswagen Golf GTD

The ā€˜GTā€™ part of the name tells you this a sporty Golf. The ā€˜Dā€™ says this is a diesel. So, with the GTD, you get a some of what makes the GTI enjoyable to drive, but with excellent motorway economy for high-mileage drivers. The trouble is, swapping the letter ā€˜Dā€™ to an ā€˜Iā€™ makes the Golf a whole lot more fun.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Golf GTI has been around in one form or another for nearly 50 years. Like a lot of middle-aged former hellraisers, itā€™s put on weight and become more sensible with the passing years. The GTI still has a fun side, but there are alternatives that will have keen drivers smiling more broadly.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

Take the Golf GTI, whip out the petrol engine, and fit petrol-electric hybrid power instead. Thatā€™s more or less what you get with the Golf GTE, which combines plug-in hybrid economy with hot-hatch pace. The latest model has an official electric range of 62 miles while the low carbon dioxide output makes for modest company car tax bills.

Volkswagen Golf R

Is the regular Golf GTI too tame for you? Try the VW Golf R instead. Itā€™s much quicker than the GTI, delivering an altogether more intense driving experience. But the R is just as happy to calmly commute as to blast a B-road. The carā€™s styling isnā€™t as subtle as it used to be, though.

Volkswagen ID3

The smallest of VWā€™s ID family of electric cars, the ID3 is one of the best small EVs. Give or take a few centimetres, itā€™s a similar size to the Golf. Itā€™s a shame the infotainment is so annoying, though, and many alternative electric cars are more affordable than the ID3.