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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  Unreliable Lemon! VW wont replace! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alisha - March 5 - 6:50 am

  For some buying a VW is great but it has been the worst experience ever for me. This is my first new car and it has broken down four times in six months. The worst part is that VW doesnt know what is wrong. The last time it was in, they just kept replacing things until the code went away. The problem is that the car will work fine, then when you stop and try to go, it wont go anywhere. You give it gas but it acts like it is in neutral. This has happened in the middle of intersections almost causing us to wreck. I told VW and the dealer this, they said they wont replace my car. The VW Customer Care line lacks care and contradicts itself. VW doesnt know how to repair their cars. Note to consumers, read the lemon law carefully!

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  Excellent Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By loschios16 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Fun, reliable, safe, comfortable... this car has everything its competators dont. It has all of the features of more expensive cars for much less.

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  never again!!!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By poncho - March 5 - 2:00 am

  never drain the transmission fluid it takes a special machine to put in back in and $400.00 later! cup holder oh those things that are in my way of the thermostat! the green ooze comingout of doors. by the way did i mention dont do anything to your engine due to vws great building of this fine car they designed it to where it only takes there fluid trans fluid $38.00 a quart! and 9 times out of 10 you have to have a machine of vw fix it!

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  55,000 Happy Miles! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By passate - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I love my Passat. When I was shopping for a vehicle, I thought that I wanted a Honda Accord because of reliability. But the passat had only one problem... a burned turn signal bulb... Thats it! really impressed with this car! The german solid feel and the expensive look is a great feeling! After two years and 55k miles Im still enjoy driving the car... This is a drivers car...

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  V6 3.2L Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chulsoo - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Touareg for my wife after the birth of our first child. We were looking for a safe car which was stylish and fun to drive. We looked at the BMW X5 and the Acura MDX. The Touareg by far was the most economical, stylish and quality vehicle that we evaluated. It also was not a mammoth vehicke like the X5. The vehicle came with several standard features which were only expensive options on the BMW. Even with Navigation, the vehicle price was about 4K lower than the Acura and about 12K lower than the BMW.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Melissa Bratcher - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I have always driven Honda cars, but to get the quality and injoyment from a vehicle, I have found it in the volkswagen Jetta. The quality and performance I get from it than the honda accord has been a comfort for me to know that I own something that most people would like to own themselves or has not have the pleasure of knowing anthing about volkswagon (cars) company.

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  Excellent all around car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cliff Hunt - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new generation VW diesel. I have driven them in Europe, and decided to buy one in 12/02. I had to have the wagon since it is made in Germany and the sedan is Mexican. I drive about 100 mi/day commuting, and need the mileage. Despite what one of the other reviewers said, this car has been FAR more reliable than MY 88 VW. I sold my 88 VW w/ 135k on it, and it was good. This car has NEVER been in the shop for anything. DO use the DELVAC 1 oil. Insist that your dealer does if you have to take it to them. The oil costs more, but it truly is worth it. I get 42-52mpg, more in summer, less in winter. Car is NOT slow (have been > 110mph)

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  2001 Volkswagon Beetle TDI - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ben - March 4 - 8:03 pm

  Having driven everything from a Ford Thunderbird to a Dodge 2500 the Beetle TDI (Turbo Diesel Injected) was an interesting buy. The acceleration for the Beetle is not that bad. You must remember, its a gas saving coup NOT a sports car. Folks made the same mistake with the Delorean. Driving experience is fun but not outstanding. Excellent reliability as long as the car is maintained properly. Remember, you get what you pay for. Interior is well designed but cup holders are not made for holding the average cup unless youre a hobbit. Paint is good but could use a thicker clear coat. Unless you are abusing it or are just rough on cars, this v-dub is a tough little sucker. Not luxury, but works

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  Pretty nice - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By vwfan - March 4 - 5:13 pm

  Im not a mini van guy but we needed something that seats 7. If I was going to consider a mini van it would have to be a VW due to their style and class. I was very impressed with the overall design and style of the Routan. I love the captains chairs. They really give it a roomy but cozy feel. I recently found out that the Routan is pretty much a Chrysler with a few VW touches. I would still recommend a look and a test drive. Its still more hip than a Toyota, Honda, Chrysler ect.

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  The goods - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Whiplash117 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2002 Passat GLX on 4.17.02 and I fell in love at first site. I got the indigo blue with grey leather interior. I did my internet researching and came to the conclusion that nobody can touch the options that the Passat has. I drove it and it handled like a dream. Its a little stiff which is common in European cars and I loved the tiptronic option. My only concern are the little noises you hear when starting the car. Also when the air conditioner is on...it sucks the power and the pep of the car gets lost. Other than that...the car is great.