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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  Lots of Car for the Money - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By BobsyrUncle - January 11 - 2:00 am

  The first month i had this car I kept wondering why traffic was going so slow. When they pulled over and i went past, Id look down and see I was going 100mph. This car is faster and handles as well as my BMW325. Spacious,comfortable,reliable and fast. A tremendous deal for 21K. Has 72K on it now and is still perfect.

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  Not impressed with VW Toureg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Johny25252 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Not really impressed with the SUV for the price tag Acura MDX sounds much better. Brakes touchy, interior too complicated(Control Panel), Not enough storage space, Back seating is not specious as it should be, Trunk is tricky to open, due to its shape and the way of openning. Driving it is comfy but due to brakes being so tuchy it could be less fun on a big stop and go trafic. Not really satisfied with the vehicle

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  Better than expected - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wingate - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car at the insistance of my wife who spent her teen aged years in a VW bug. I expected a crampled interior and poor performance but was plesantly surprised. Get the turbo!..just dont look under the hood...this car can only be serviced by a VW electronic engineer!

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  GTI glory - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By misterv - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Ditch your SUV and enjoy automobile bliss! When you sit down in a GTI you notice how the seat hugs you. When you hit the gas in a GTI you know why the seat hugs you. Having been a former SUV owner I was hesitant to making the switch to a mere car. I found out how the GTI is not just a car, but an enjoyable driving experience. I have owned my GTI for about two months and I am extremely satisfied. From the amenities to the engine this car has it all. (Open the trunk and look at the space.) I thought that a SUV was essential to my lifestyle, but now I would not trade this car for any SUV out there. Do yourself a favor and at least test drive this car to see what you are missing.

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  200HP love it - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By RobbC - January 10 - 10:00 am

  The 200 Horsepower VR6 is great. The 6 spd manual seems easier to use and shift than a 5 spd I test drove. I bought my car with all the goodies. (It was the only one avail. in DC area at the time) This car has loads of personality and I love that. The car also gets 21 city and 30 Highway which I think is very good for a 6 cylinder.

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  Unreliable but fun and sexy - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mrein - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, sophisticated in exterior styling, very responsive and quick acceleration. BUT Ive been stranded on a dark road at night one time by an indeterminate electrical problem; limped home on a very hot day with my elderly parents along (needed a NEW transmission that time); had the ignition coils replaced within 500 miles of going out of warrenty (the dealer didnt charge); and now the trouble light is on again.

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  Rattles!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mth - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I cant stop all the rattles! The instrument panel is the worst followed closely by the drivers door and then the rear door tweeter mounts. Now the A/C control backlight has burnt out. 8 months and instrumentlights are burning out? AND the dealer said that the vibration I feel on the highway during acceleration is an inner CV joint starting to fail! I traded a 7yr old BMW with less issues than this car. If you want an aftermarket stereo, dont get the Monsoon! And if you decide you want to pull out your radio, be prepared to go to the dealer to reset your alarm. Too many issues, for such a new car, especially for the price. Too bad I am so upside down or it would be GONE!

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  Great Car, Great Value, Fun To Drive - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By goyacc - January 10 - 4:33 am

  A lot of people asked me why I spend 30 grands to get a car with 4cyl engine. If you have test drive it, you wont ask this question because 4cyl turbo with sport mode gear, you got sporty driving experience. On the other side, you got fuel economy with regular driving. Plus built in German, the leather seat and sun roof, it worths every fraction of penny.

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  wolfsburg jetta - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By B. T. Quinn - January 10 - 1:56 am

  Purchased W-burg edition on a Saturday, by Thursday it needed a radiator hose replaced. Problem fixed by dealer, although part had to be ordered (2 days). Besides this issue, a truly great/fun driving experience. The 200-hp engine is way more than the car needs but love the power when you need it. This car car could easily sell for 5-7K more than it cost.

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  Full satisfaction - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ibdtrader - January 9 - 10:06 pm

  I have owned my Wolfsburg Jetta 2.0T with the 6Spd DGS Auto since Late July 08. Ive been a continuous VW owner for 4 decades and this is hands down the best I have ever owned and driven. If I had to spec a car to all my likes, I couldnt have thought it out any better than VW delivered this one. Oh, and it stops as well as it goes - great brakes! As the car sits stock, it also looks great with the nice factory upgrades such as the wheels, low profile deck spoiler.