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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  No complaints - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By slider - January 25 - 1:00 am

  This vehicle has been a pleasure to own. It still looks stylish and several of the cues are visible in the so called new styles today. It has been reliable and any check engine light issues were taken care of early on never to return. I would buy one again in a flash.

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  Dont buy one - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwnomore - January 24 - 10:43 pm

  Ive had to replace the engine due to a "freak accident" where the block was cracked mid drive($4K refurbished). All of my window motors have broken, if you buy this car, yours will break too. The O2 sensors, replaced, the side paneling has fallen off. And then just random things, such as the glove box will no longer open??? The alarm system had to be turned off completely due to that going crazy. Antenna is cracked, I just purchased fog light covers (cause the original drivers side fell off), new headlight due to condensation. Etc. etc. etc. Buying parts is expensive, they almost always have to be VW. My dipstick magically broke off and I had to go thru VW to replace it.

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  2001 Jetta - Coil Ignition resolved - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Trootie - January 24 - 12:10 pm

  I Always wanted a Jetta, for its known reliability and safety. However, I discovered how it is not so reliable, Ive had multiple sensors go bad, the cat went bad along with the alternator and now the coil Ignition went bad. If your VW has issues when starting in the rain, engine light goes crazy the car bucks and feels like it wants to stall it is the ignition coil. Just got a quote from the dealer 525. to fix. I have currently 112K miles on it, young for a VW I think to have so many issues, I drove a Geo Storm Prior and sold it with 164K and never had so many issues. Luckily a lot of the stuff was cover under warranty at first.. but seems like a money pit, whats next?

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  Selling this POS - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By poor_reliability - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We have had too many quality issues to list. Excessive rear brake wear, sunroof malfunction, airbag came loose from steering wheel - 3times, left directional fell out of quarter panel, window stripping separated, mass air flow sensor replaced, turn signal lamp contacts poor quality.

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  Jetta 00 - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sweets - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Really nice handling. Good gas mileage in the 5 spd. Sleek interior but poor leg room for rear passengers. Lots of trunk space.

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  Awe-inspiring SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By aj0684 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Its an absolutely gorgeous SUV inside and out. If you love VWs and desire an SUV like my wife and I, this is it. We lease an XC90 also and this rides better. Cant wait for the snow here in MI.

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  The Touareg-fantastic car - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By sides - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This car IS all that it is cracked up to be. The drive is excellent and and so is the luxurious inside. The GPS is great and really comes in handy. It is a a fantastic car due to its versatility. It is a fantastic luxury SUV as well as an excellent offroad car (Ive taken it offroad). The car has a very smooth drive and a lot of power. 310 horse! When you shift it into Sport mode (S) it really can fly. I think this car beats the FXs and the RX330 due to its versatility and price. You get a lot more for the money. The major downside of this car is the fuel efficiency.

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  Still happy one year later - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By clekezarke2 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We picked up our wagon last June and have been very happy with it since then. It is a solid drive and much more fun to piot than a station wagon ought to be. I dont regret replacing my Trailblazer with this car one bit. It has better handling, braking, responsiveness, and gas mileage than the Chevy did, and that was the older model. I found the newer Chevy to be sloppier in these categories. We have had no problems with the vehicle other than a recall for a problem that would probably never happen.

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  Gentlemen only, please - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sir Henry - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The wagon is ideal for both city and country. It parks easily, and looks great. With the V6 it has a smooth acceleration, and manouvers quickly in tight situations. It has an understated and unpretensious appeal, with surprising luxery and comfort. I personally like the feeling of superior workmanship, and distinctly german attitude.

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  Happy with my VW - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By DWP - January 24 - 10:00 am

  3 months so far and no problems. Really enjoy the way it drives and handles. Tiptronic is great! The safety record and features really give me peace of mind. Heard mixed reviews about Monsoon sound so bought a model without it and have no complaints, sound is excellent unless you have to have car shaking bass.