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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  After 1000 - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Supastratt - December 17 - 10:00 am

  So far, Ive managed to avoid all of the problems Ive read in other reviews here (lucky me... I truly feel for the rest of you). That is, the windows work and the car doesnt rattle hardly at all. Of course, the cupholder is COMPLETELY usless, though ;) One thing that sucked was the car was sold to me with a drained battery, so it didnt start the next day after I bought it. (Props to VWs roadside assistance, though!) Well, not a perfect start with my new GTI I suppose, but I still love to drive it! A great car so far, but its relaibility is questionable.

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  Nice car but poor service - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By firstvw - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Car is beautiful both inside and out and I have not had any mechanical problems although I only have 8k miles. Although I really love the car I will not buy a VW again due to the poor service department which seems to permeate all VW dealerships. I cant even get through to get an oil change and then when I do it takes almost two weeks and they are not open on Saturdays which means you will have to take a day off to get your oil change. You have got to be kidding!! My suggestion is to all those Honda owners who are thinking about switching to VW think long and hard about how you feel about customer service. I wish I did!!

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  TDI Trade-in - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vic Vilece - December 17 - 1:52 am

  2013 TDI Jetta turned in to VW and purchased a 2017 GLI - Price paid was the internet price quoted by Edmunds. Dealer got me the car I specified.

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  Making Friends with your Fast - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By tryan - December 15 - 3:00 am

  After much research and test driving, I traded in my 04 Passat GLX 5-Speed for a 08 GTI 4-Door. I needed something more practical, but also wanted to upgrade slightly in performance. However, I also wanted to stay below (well below) $30k while doing it. With the current crop of hot hatches proliferating like bunnies (no pun intended), the GTI seemed to have the best mix of everything, features, performance, space and a well-executed interior. The Mazda3 was the only real competitor that gave the GTI a run for its money - especially in the value aspect. However, in the end, the GTI was more unique and hit a lot more design details that I appreciate (illuminated vanity mirrors for one).

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  great car overall - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Drea83079 - December 15 - 1:46 am

  This is a great car for the money. It is very fuel efficient, for those who have only managed to get in 350 or so miles, the mileage does improve drastically over time. I average mid 40s for primarily 50 mph driving on country backroads, and high 30s in city driving. I decreased my weekly gas bill for my Subaru from 180 dollars to my current 52.00 per week! That cannot be beat, and it only requires one fill per week, with me driving 600 miles per week on average. My only complaint is that I have 3500 miles so far, and the check engine light just came on. The dealer has been very helpful, but I am a bit concerned that maybe they have not yet worked out the kinks in the new engine.

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  Watch out for Passat TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By joe473 - December 13 - 9:51 pm

  Volkswagon knows they have an issue with the Passat and they should do a recall. The issue is with the fuel pump and the high compression. They blame you the consumer and blame you for putting gasoline in a diesel engine. Pump goes then the injectors, watch out stay away.

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  One of the Best SUVs Available - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Siegfried Grimm - December 13 - 4:03 pm

  The Volkswagen Touareg may not be the fastest in its class, it does not get the best fuel economy, but it is well built and reliable. Those are important features to me.

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  V6 Touareg - Happy Owner - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By peter1438 - December 13 - 2:36 pm

  I would definitely buy another Touareg. It is truly a baby Porsche. For a V6 it has enough grunt and power. The interior is very well done, everything is within reach and the materials are excellent. The tailgate / hatch opens wide and there is enough room for just about anything that you would need an SUV for. After looking at Toyotas and Hondas, I found that for the price of the VW I was getting a much more truck and VW has been around longer than the other two.

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  Got a Good One... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lovajetta - December 13 - 6:46 am

  People all seem to have weird problems with their Jettas, but mine runs great and has never let me down. I love this car!

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  The Passat of excellence - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tom K - December 13 - 5:13 am

  I came out of a 2000 Mitsubishi diamante LS, in shopping for a new car due to a blown engine, I evaluated Honda, Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Mazda and the Passat. By far this is the best buy, for features, power, appointments and comfort. As a 4 cylinder, one may think its underpowered, but the TDI turbo changes your mind as soon as you press the gas pedal. As noted in others, there may be just a slight hesitation at start, but then it takes off, I suspect this is due to the turbo revving up. Mine is jet black with corn silk interior. The blue tooth connectivity is awesome- Pares with the IPHONE perfectly allowing hands free, great radio and satellite radio. You got to drive it