Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen is an automaker based in Germany. Its products typically command a higher price than those of competing models, but the return is a more upscale driving and ownership experience.

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. Hitler had a town built near the plant for factory workers; he named it Kraft durch Freude Stadt (derived from the Nazi party's motto, "Joy through Strength"), and soon decided that Porsche's creation should be named the KdF-wagen (short for the "Joy through Strength" car). This upset Porsche, who was not political.

World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. shores in 1949.

The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. And the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling car of all time, quickly showed signs of being an enduring favorite, with more than 1 million models produced at the Wolfsburg factory by 1955. This decade also saw the debut of the Karmann Ghia sports car, which featured a sleek, Italian-designed two-seater body atop a Beetle platform.

Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie. By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark.

In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. market.

The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture. By the mid-'80s, the U.S. version traded the Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions.

Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The body style was based on the classic Beetle, and it struck a chord with consumers who still had a place in their hearts for the iconic, cheerful-looking "love bug."

The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.

User Reviews:

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  When you rent - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By d c - November 16 - 9:36 pm

  When you rent a car as often as I do, you know you have a good car when you get back home and start your own car up. I rent newer cars, and their fit, finish and performance dont compare to my VW Passat GLX. And the service! My cars armrest started to wear; no sweat, the dealership (in Colorado, no less), happily replaced it. Right now I am considering an SUV because of a potential job change to the Midwest. I doubt seriously if I will trade in or sell my Passat. Its a classic!

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  Great Value - 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Dan Becker - November 16 - 5:19 pm

  I feel good driving this car. Looks and feels like it could cost a lot more.

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  VW buyer for life - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By BArcher - November 16 - 2:00 am

  The performance of this vehicle is unmatched. There is such an improvement with having the ESP turned on when driving on slick/wet roads.

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  1st VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jim beil - November 16 - 2:00 am

  Be sure if there is a problem with the vehicle that you get back to the dealer ASAP. The headlights on my car were too low to be safe. I didnt ask for them to be realigned until 8 months and 20,00 miles had passed. They charged me $54, I appealed to VW America and they still refused to reimburse me. Said I had to be in within 4000 miles of purchase.

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  How can you NOT love it? - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JuneBug - November 16 - 2:00 am

  Its the best car Ive ever owned...next to my 1974 VW Thing! :O)

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  Best Mid Size Auto - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By D Scheffler - November 15 - 5:13 pm

  On the highway this baby gets close to 50 mgs and has plendy of power and zip I love the firm spension and the many safety equipments (6 air bags) etc and the clean operation for a diesel. I hope the US automakers will copy VW and build quality economic cars.

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  No Matter What Else I Buy... - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By BackToVW - November 15 - 1:20 pm

  I always end up back in a VW. This is my sixth one, and my second Passat (2005 TDI was the first) and this new 2.0T is just an amazing car. Since 2001 Ive owned 19 new cars, among them a 2005 Acura TL, Nissan Murano, Audi TT Roadster, Acura RSX, Jetta 1.8T. The Passat is nicer than all of the above, including the TL. Its fit and finish is superb. The car feels rock solid. The controls are perfectly weighted. The steering is awesome and the power from the 2.0T is "oh my gosh"-inducing. Add in the good gas mileage and thoughtful interior features and youd have no reason to spend more money on an A4, 3-Series or C-Class unless the badge on the nose was important to you.

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  Thunder Bunny - 2013 Volkswagen GTI
  By judge67 - November 15 - 6:17 am

  Simply amazing car... the 2.0 Turbo is quick. It is strong all through the rev range, very little turbo lag. I drive a considerable distance on the interstate, and it revs high at 75-80 mph (turning over 3000 rpm). As such, I have to work to get 30 mpg out of it, although at 60 it gets mid-30s easy. It has an Audi-grade interior and fit/finish, love the plaid seats and they are very comfortable (and heated!). The gauges light up white/grey/red and match the upholstory well. This is the only car on the planet that I prefer the automatic over a stick; the DSG is brilliant! My car also has the Pirelli tires as opposed to the Dunlops. The GTI is a ball to drive, but civilized, too.

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  Great little car! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NVServ - November 15 - 4:36 am

  I havent regretted for an instant buying this little guy. Other than some warranty work for an airbag issue, which was dealt with painlessly on my part (including a loaner car for the month we were without his services), he has handled beautifully and been trouble free!

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  Ill never have to pull into a gas station again - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By Craig Heiman - November 14 - 2:21 am

  I went from a plugin Prius to the VW E Golf. I could be happier. Its quick its fun and I can fit my sufboard in the car which is 7 10". Most importantly I dont have to ever stop at a gas station again.