Volkswagen is known for its quality, and while it may not be a luxury brand, they produce comfortable rides accompanied by innovative technology and excellent trims.
They’ve also given us some iconic cars, such as the VW Transporter (bus) and the Beetle. Now their Golf and Jetta models are everywhere. But how much horsepower does a Volkswagen have?
The average Volkswagen has 225 horsepower. The model with the most horsepower is the Golf R with 315 hp, and the Volkswagen Jetta SE has the least horsepower with 158 hp.
Volkswagen has entered the electric market with its ID range. At the moment, it’s all about the ID.4, but previews of the ID.7 have people looking forward to 2024 when it is slated to go on sale.
Meanwhile, the Golf R and Golf GTI continue to delight after their major redesign in 2022, giving the Golf R unprecedented horsepower. But the Arteon isn’t too far behind when it comes to punch.
Let’s go through the horsepower of all the available Volkswagen models.
The Horsepower Of Every Volkswagen Model
Traditionally, Volkswagen’s are bought for their quality, not their performance. While that remains true to this day, the manufacturer has been making strides to improve their figures.
Take their Golf R, for instance, which can go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The Arteon SEL isn’t too shabby either, going from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.
Thus, Volkswagen is beginning to pull in some respectable figures for cars that were never known for their speed or punch. Even their economical Jetta is improving, with the GLI going 0-60 in 6.1 seconds.
The following table indicates how much horsepower Volkswagens base models have:
| VW Model | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| Arteon SEL Premium R-Line | 300 hp |
| Atlas SE | 235 hp |
| Atlas Cross Sport SE | 235 hp |
| Golf GTI SE | 241 hp |
| Golf R | 315 hp |
| ID.4 Pro | 201 hp |
| Jetta SE | 158 hp |
| Jetta GLI | 228 hp |
| Taos SE | 158 hp |
| Tiguan SE | 184 hp |
Here are the Volkswagen models in more detail.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is a slick-looking sedan that offers more space than many SUVs on the market, especially regarding cargo room. The SEL line has a 4Motion 2.0 TSI engine. Thus, its horsepower has some punch at 300 hp @ 5350.
| Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3929 lbs (1782 kg) |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5350 |
| Torque | 295 lbs-ft @ 3600 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 4.6 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is the manufacturer’s beast. The SUV spreads its seven seats between three rows and is generously spaced, so even those at the very back will sit comfortably.
With a horsepower of 235 hp @ 5400 rpm, you’re not getting a Ford truck. But it’s a lot more attractive than the old-style minivans.
| Volkswagen Atlas SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 4261 lb (1933 kg) |
| Horsepower | 235 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lbs-ft @ 1600 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 8.2 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the more compact SUV, seating only five between 2 rows. You get the same horsepower as the full-sized Atlas, but it can go 0-60 0.7 seconds faster. As the name suggests, it also looks sportier than its bigger brother.
| Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 4123 lb (1870 kg) |
| Horsepower | 235 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lbs-ft @ 1600rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 7.5 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 Inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Golf GTI, with 241 hp @ 6500 rpm, has significantly less horsepower than the Golf R. But it also costs less. A 6-speed manual comes with a 2.0 TSI engine, helping keep the overall weight down of the vehicle without sacrificing performance. Thus, it can do 0-60 in 5.1 seconds.
| Volkswagen Golf GTI SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3133 lbs (1421 kg) |
| Horsepower | 241 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Torque | 273 lbs-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 5.1 |
| Top Speed | 2.0 L, EA888 evo4 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf R is Volkswagen’s winner when it comes to horsepower with 315 hp @ 5900-6500. It can do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. While not a Tesla or a sports car, that’s not too shabby for a hatchback. Especially one with more cargo space and legroom than its competitor, the Toyota Corolla.
| Volkswagen Golf R | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3404 lbs (1544 kg) |
| Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5900-6500 |
| Torque | 280 lbs-ft @ 1900-5900 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 3.9 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 evo4 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro
The Volkswagon ID.4 Pro is a 5-seater electric crossover. The small SUV has 201 hp and a towing capacity of 2200 lbs (998 kg). The battery isn’t bad either, providing an EPA-estimated range of 275 miles.
| Volkswagen ID.4 Pro | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 4557 lb (2067 kg) |
| System Horsepower | 201 hp |
| Rear Maximum Torque | 229 lb-ft |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 7.7 seconds |
| EPA Estimated Range | 275 miles (442 km) |
Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is Volkswagen’s most affordable offering. Nonetheless, it offers a 1.5L Turbo 8-speed automatic with Triptronic. Its horsepower is nothing to get excited about, with 158 hp @ 5500 rpm.
But it gets 29 mpg for city, 40 mpg for highway, and 33 mpg combined. Thus, it’s a smart buy for those looking to spend less at the pump and can’t shell out for an EV.
| Volkswagen Jetta SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 2989 lbs (1356 kg) |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lbs-ft @ 1750 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 7.7 seconds |
| Engine | 1.5 L, EA211 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The Jetta GLI is a more powerful choice with 228 hp @ 6500 rpm. It has a bigger engine than your Jetta SE, with a 2.0 L Turbo. However, it does mean you’ll eat up slightly more fuel: 26 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.
| Volkswagen Jetta GLI | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3272 lbs (1484 kg) |
| Horsepower | 228 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lbs-ft @ rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 6.1 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos is a compact SUV with 158 hp @ 5500 rpm. Its 8-speed automatic has a 1.5 T TSI engine. However, for an SUV, its fuel economy is pretty economical: 28 mpg city, 36 mg highway, and 31 mpg combined.
| Volkswagen Taos SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3181 lbs (1443 kg) |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lbs-ft @ 17500 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 7.6 seconds |
| Engine | 1.5 L, TSI inline four-cylinder |
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is an SUV with 184 hp @4400-6000 rpm. It’s a small SUV but can hold seven people comfortably. It is a front-wheel drive, but there is an option for its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. It’s a nice alternative for those that find the Atlas too much of a beast but still need the extra seats.
| Volkswagen Tiguan SE | Value |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3737 lbs (1695 kg) |
| Horsepower | 184 hp @4400-6000 rpm |
| Torque | 221 lbs-ft @ 1600-4300 rpm |
| Accelerate 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) | 8.1 seconds |
| Engine | 2.0 L, EA888 inline four-cylinder |
Conclusion
The average Volkswagen has 225 horsepower, which is very low compared to its competitors.
Here’s the average horsepower of the following car brands:
| Car Brand | Average Horsepower |
|---|---|
| Hyundai | 198 hp |
| Kia | 226 hp |
| Nissan | 291 hp |
| Ford | 342 hp |
| BMW | 392 hp |
| Toyota | 229 hp |
| Volkswagen | 226 hp |
Volkswagen’s horsepower is hardly its most eye-catching feature, although the Golf R is certainly getting noticed. But it holds its own in like-for-like, typically offering more legroom, cargo room, and better gas mileage. Thus, Volkswagen remains a practical buy.
I listed the weight of all the available Volkswagen models here and their fuel economy in this article.