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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  Brilliant SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Henry20 - January 1 - 12:46 pm

  My parents bought me a VW Touareg as a welcome home gift from College this May. I was excited but at the same time apprehensive because I have heard/read that this SUV has many problems et al. I got it and me and my buddies went up to New Hampshire and it was the best automobile I have ever driven in my life(last car was a 2002 330i)! I had to take it in for a glitch in the airbag system and for a temperature gauge malfunction but have been tremendously satisfied with it! Superb road handling on wet, grueling, everything-nature-throws-at-you New Hampshire backroads and on the highways. I now have 12,500 miles on my Touareg, offroading and highway/city. Definately buy if you have the chance!

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  Drive one, youll get it - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By spookynuts - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Best Fin car aside from audi S3 and up.

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  The perfect car for me - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By stronzzo - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect for me, I love everything about it. Superior ergonomics, handling, performance, practicality and ecomomy all contribute to my love for this car. I am sure that it is not for everybody, but I recommend that you give it a try.

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  Back to the future - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LionJR - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Highly reliable, efficient, fun to drive transportation. It is very adaptable to carrying people, pets, and lots of tailgating stuff. Gets more looks than my neighbors BMW. Great gas mileage. A good car to run around town or travel distances. Finding good tires has been the only challenge.

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  Avoid it...or pay... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By evilveedub - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my second VW Jetta. Traded my 98 Jetta GT. In fact, Ive never owned any other car but a VW! I love this car, but...nothing but problems. Heres the "brief" list: 335 miles - dash rattles, door rattles. 2,400 - glove box light 24,301 - dash lights 26,250 - both front window regulators 32,000 - two wheel bearings 36,506 - brake light switch and coil pack. 42,000 - BBS wheels pitted. Do yourself a favor, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING MADE IN MEXICO. This is a car I have babied since day one! I called vw to complain, and they could care less. NEVER AGAIN VW...NEVER! Hello Honda Accord.

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  No kidding - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RQDickie - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Jetta just before the fuel crunch hit. Had been driving a Ford Diesel Excursion (yuk!) First trip with the Jetta averaged 45mpg 3400 mile round trip (five people and car top carrier). Improving steadily since. One recent "all highway cruise control speed limit inflate the tires to maximum inflation" run I got 54 mpg. No kidding! Comfortable and pleasing to be in - we created a mini SUV by adding a seat and seat belt in the rear. Put a aero ski car top carrier for luggage. When will other SUVers figure this out?

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  Do Not Buy - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brian A. - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I have owned. There are continous problems with starting the car. The service department cannot determine the cause. They will do anything not to give you a loaner vehicle.

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  V W Diesel Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Michelle Croxton - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is so enjoyable to drive and ride in. The comfort is great. I have the turbo diesel and this is truly the best car I have ever had. I am averaging about 45 to 50 mpg. I traded in a Nissan Maxima and the Jetta blows that car off the road. For this car only to have 4 cylinders, there is no problem with the car not having power. I get compliments on it every day.

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  Jetta GLI 1.8T - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Michaels GLI - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Jetta GLI 1.8T a month ago and I have put on 1500 wonderfully fun miles so far. I absolutely love this car and am thrilled that I decided on it over the others I was considering. I was a bit concerned about VW reliability and post sale treatment by the VW dealership, but after doing a lot of research it appears that all of the bugs that were in this generation (MK4) of Jetta have been worked out. I also felt comfortable that this dealership would continue to treat me well. It appears that VW is making efforts to improve their customer satisfaction ratings. Just do yourself a favor and drive the car, youll understand why I bought one.

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  buy it - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JBo - December 31 - 6:13 am

  Awesome car! Fuel economy is a plus, although the potential to have fun and drive this car aggressively doesnt help fuel economy. I dont miss my Audi A6 quattro one bit. In the first month I drove from Durham NC to Florida for the hoidays and felt safe sailing along I95 with big rigs, SUVs and countless bad drivers. I got waves, smiles and only stopped for diesel once on the way down - about 500 miles into the trip. I wouldnt want to sit in the back seat for too long, but I had plenty of room for all my xmas presents on the way home!! Go for it, you know you want one!