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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  NOT A TRUCK ... RIDES LIKE A DREAM/CAR - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By cap - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I WAS AMAZED AT THE EASE AND COMFORT OF WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE BIG AND AWKWARD. THIS LUXURY SUV RIDES LIKE A CAR AND IS EASY TO MANEUVER. STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOCUSES ON SAFETY AND PAMPERING. OPTIONS ALLOW FOR PERSONALIZATION OF USE. A GREAT VEHICLE...I MADE A GREAT CHOICE AND AM HAPPY THAT I DID.

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  THE BEST EVER! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nickers - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 Audis in the past, 1 Jetta and now the Passat. I absouletly love it! Five on the floor, turbo charged and it rips up the hills in no time at all. I get more people who want to take my car ~ love the midnight blue color and the gray leather interior. It has everything you would want in a car and then some! I love the way it handles ~ German cars are known for how they can turn on a dime ~ this car does not disappoint you! It is totally awesome! Ive always owned German cars and would buy another Passat in a heartbeat. Love it!

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  THE BEST EVER! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nickers - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 Audis in the past, 1 Jetta and now the Passat. I absouletly love it! Five on the floor, turbo charged and it rips up the hills in no time at all. I get more people who want to take my car ~ love the midnight blue color and the gray leather interior. It has everything you would want in a car and then some! I love the way it handles ~ German cars are known for how they can turn on a dime ~ this car does not disappoint you! It is totally awesome! Ive always owned German cars and would buy another Passat in a heartbeat. Love it!

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  Its still new - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By PassatDoTd - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Ok so the car is still very very new. However, I will post additional reviews down the road. To be concise: 1. Takes getting used to(the drive that is) if you havent had turbo before. This isnt a bad thing. 2. Super smooth ride. Where are the bumps? 3. Nice acceleration. No problems passing the slower folks. 4. Turns heads and impresses many. So far 4 friends/family have been stunned and they each want one. For the value the car cant be beat.

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  Gas Gusler! But Worth It!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Suzy - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most eligant and at the same time sexy. It is very nice to drive and is a pain when it comes time to refuel every 225miles.

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  The car for fun or reliability - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ashley - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for travel or for just a quick run to the store. It is fun to drive and a lot cheaper than most cars.

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  2003 Jetta great drive. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JDEVW - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I looked around for a car and found a dream of a car 2003 Jetta. I test drove the car before it was preped and it still had all the plastic inside and out. My wife drives the Jetta most of the time and loves it. We had a 1990 Accord and we dont miss it at all. The Jetta has a lot of power and handles great. Its best for 4 people but will fit 5. The sound system fits the car and sound good. Very happy with all it over all. A happy VW owner John E

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  Jetta GLI 2003 - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By The Red Wolf - June 22 - 10:00 am

  The best car I have ever owned. Fun to drive. More than enough power, hard to drive the speed limit.

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  I Am A Diesel Convert! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chris C. - June 21 - 7:56 pm

  Ive only put 1K on the car so its way too early to judge the reliability therefore the lower score. My wife wanted me to buy a Civic but relented to my choice of car. Unfortunately, she drove it to work last week and now she wants it for her own. The car is very comfortable to drive. I can tell it was designed to drive the freeways for long trips. You dont hear the engine at all at cruising speeds and you are at the peak torque @ 60mph. At first start up, and at a stop sign, the signature diesel sound is there but very muted compared to a bigger oil-burner. Finally, we are very pleased with the mileage. At 1K odometer, we are getting low 40s highway, around 35 mixed driving.

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  Love at first drive - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vdubluv - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Great car, powerful, turbo kicks in at low speeds to give you much better performance overall. Little to no turbo lag. And still get 25-32mpgs. I have the sport package with the suspension car handles beautifully. Could not have asked for a better deal.