Some car shoppers prioritize safety when they know that they need a reliable vehicle for long-term driving. They want to make sure that they have the latest and greatest when it comes to on-road safety and security. If you happen to be one of those shoppers, eyeing a used Volkswagen for sale with the latest in modern safety amenities at an affordable price, here’s the list for you.
While some lists focus entirely on the most affordable vehicle you can find on the market, this list is focused on a list of used models that are bound to keep you safe on the road. And, with Volkswagen you know you’re getting a quality-made vehicle. However, you always want to be sure you’re getting the right vehicle with the right features. This is probably an even bigger priority if you’re used to driving in rush hour traffic—or have to commute back and forth with your family in the passenger seats. Check out the list below and see if these used Volkswagens offer what you’re looking for when it comes to affordability and safety.
No. 6: 2017 Volkswagen CC R-Line Executive
Volkswagen may have discontinued the CC, but for the final model year outing, you can find plenty of used Volkswagens for sale of the CC variety. The 2017 CC R-Line Executive is probably the one you will want to get your hands on, which is available for well under the original MSRP. The trim typically comes fully featured with all of the safety amenities you could want out of a roomy sedan. Now the vehicle doesn’t have the highest safety ratings, but it does have very few recalls and doesn’t have many complaints1.
The 2017 Volkswagen CC comes with plenty of airbags, LATCH for lower anchors, and tethers for children. It also features lane departure warnings, lane keeping assistance, and an HD rearview camera. You also have active brake assistance, electronic stability control, and adaptive cruise control with collision warnings. While the Volkswagen CC may not be the absolute safest Volkswagen on the market, it’s one of the most affordable used Volkswagens with a decent array of safety features to satisfy the more cautious drivers on the road, especially if they have a family.
No. 5: 2020 Volkswagen Golf TSI
High safety marks, sporty handling, and small size all help make the 2020 Volkswagen Golf TSI an affordable, fun, and safe pick. The 2020 Volkswagen Golf TSI is certainly a great choice for starter drivers, teen drivers, or those who need something reliable to get them to and from their destination. Given that the 2020 Golf is only available in the TSI trim, you don’t have to worry about being confused about what’s available and what’s trim-specific or not.
With the 2020 Golf TSI, anyone looking for a used Volkswagen with many safety features at a low price will find exactly what they’re looking for. Given that it’s of the newer-generation Volkswagens, it comes packed with a lot of the passive and active safety features that most modern-day drivers are looking for. That means forward collision alerts, automatic high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking with front pedestrian monitoring. This makes for a great option for those who want an all-around great hatchback that’s also very safe. Of course, given its size, you will be giving up passenger and cargo volume if you have to consider fitting in the whole family.
No. 4: 2016 Volkswagen Passat SE with Technology
Regarded as one of the safest large family sedans on the market, the discontinued Volkswagen Passat left its mark remarkably and respectably as it made its exit from the industry with the 2022 model year outing. However, if you want a very affordable and very safe iteration of the Passat, you cannot go wrong with the 2016 Volkswagen Passat. This particular model year earned itself some very high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was one of the Top Picks of 2016 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
With an overall 5-star safety rating, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a great four-door sedan—whether for single drivers or those with families and friends to ferry. The Passat SE with Technology is a good option to choose if you’re looking for a used trim, as you’re getting a Passat with generous standard tech included from the get-go, such as the built-in stability and traction control, pretensioners, airbags, and anti-lock brakes. With added features such as park assist, lane departure warnings with lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with automatic brake assistance, you get a fully-featured sedan that’s both affordable and safe.
No. 3: 2018 Volkswagen Jetta SE
One of the safest Volkswagen vehicles on the road, the Jetta is a great compact sedan that doesn’t sacrifice too much in the space and features department in order to avoid being too unwieldy on the road. The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is a particularly inspired pick because it has some of the best safety ratings in its segment, very few complaints, and very few recalls. Essentially, it’s one of the best model years you could go with when looking for a used Volkswagen because it’s a generally all-around great car.
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta SE would be the preferred trim, as many of the optional features are made standard, and you get some of the best features that the model year has to offer. Some of the included safety features are blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, front collision warning, rear parking assist, fog lights, child seat anchors, and stability control. Basically, everything you could want out of a safe, midsize sedan comes in the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta SE, and the best part about it is that, if you can get your hands on one, you can usually do so for an extremely low price.
No. 2: 2020 Volkswagen Atlas SE
Many of the vehicles on the list are of the compact and midsize variety, but what happens when you need something large and spacious for a family of five or more? Well, then it’s time to upgrade to an SUV that can handle every member of the family—plus the dog, the cat, and a few travel belongings, too. Affordable and safe, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is a great way to go if you’re looking to save money, but still want something stylish, comfortable, and commuter-reliable.
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas SE is probably the trim to go with, ensuring that you get all the standard features included, without having to fish around to find out if any other optional safety features are available. With high marks both from the NHTSA and IIHS, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas makes for a great family-oriented midsize SUV for all sorts of travel activities. Sporting all the basics when it comes to crumple zones, LATCH, airbags, and integrated turn signals on the mirror, it makes driving much easier and stress-free. With built-in collision warnings, pedestrian detection, and automatic braking assistance, you get all the basics and then some.
No. 1: 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen SE
Maybe an SUV is too big, but perhaps a midsize sedan is too small. You still need something affordable and you still need something safe, so what’s the solution? Well, the perfect in-between is none other than the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. This is probably one of the more underrated offerings from Volkswagen, but the Golf SportWagen is that pleasant mixture of able-bodied handling, refined style, and embedded safety that hits multiple target markets all at once.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen SE features top marks from the NHTSA and comes standard with ample safety amenities you could want out of a sporty, family-oriented vehicle. Everything from anti-whiplash seats to multiple airbags in front, side, and overhead, as well as stability control, and automatic collision-mitigation braking are included. You get a fully robust safety suite with the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. With the added VW Car-Net features, interior comfort amenities, and a very low price when used, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen SE is that perfect middle ground—and a great drive overall.
