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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  Last of the Breed - 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By swarfer - December 24 - 11:56 am

  Top down motoring the way it was meant to be. An older design, the execution, detailing and features easily exceed the Fords Ive recently owned. Its been almost 40 years since I had a convertible, and it was worth the wait. Forget the pundits, they probably dont have the guts to go top down anyway. Yeah, yeah, you can go techno, aero or battery, but youll loose your auto soul in the process.

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  Gotta be something betta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nghappycabin - December 23 - 2:00 pm

  When its in operating condition, the ride is awesome and fun. Comfortable, stylish & unique features on the interior. I like the way it drives and the comfort, but theres been just too many problems with it to recommend it to others. Window fell into the door, oil plan needed replaced, some computer sensor for $180, serpentine belt and Ive had to replace the same headlight bulb twice w/in last 30K miles. Interior parts look nice but they break easily and are expensive to replace. Trunk latch snapped in cold weather, console latch busted & cup holder broke ($160 for a new cup holder, for example). Just found out the cooling fan is broken ($500). Everything is expensive to fix.

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  Passat 2.0T- Wunderkind - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By jb1042 - December 23 - 10:26 am

  I love the overall package, ride, looks, power on demand, and the fuel mileage is far more than i expected. My wife thinks I am a genuis for this purchase. Hey I needed the positive factor. I will get a second 2.0T.

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  Bomb Diggity - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Clay Miracle - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This GTI is the funnest car I have driven in a long time. Compared to my last car, a 95 Neon, it beats the pants of that on.

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  Great Car....wish it were mine! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW4Life - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife and two kids. Previous cars were no big deal for her. After a year of owning this one, she LOVES it. Great on trips, excellent pick-up and one of the best exterior designs on the market. This is my third VW, and my next one will hopefully be the new Toureg. Ive experienced some of the same "suspicious" mechanical problems, but a reliable VW mecahanic can take care of them for a whole lot less than the dealers. VW home office is no help (never has been) but fortunately, havent had to use them much. Will keep buying VW until product stops performing.

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  One Cool Little Hatchback! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By beeminbobby - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Man, this little car is really cool. Its no speed demon (it doesnt "accelerate" quickly), but it does have great torque. We dropped the back seats, loaded it up with camping gear and drove up to the mountains without a glitch or moment of hesitation going up the grades. Its all about the torque! Im very impressed with how much this car holds, and with how well the interior was designed in order to accomodate so much cargo. Im also very impressed with the build\materials quality, especially in the interior. Plus, it has a very nice, quiet, comfortable ride at all speeds.

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  almost but not quite - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By realmotion69 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  cars in the begining was great until the problems. Extremly cheap parts with a heafty price tag. If your like the excitement of the car outweight my judgement, Anyone know of the crazy sound from the exhaust??? Anyway if you are looking for a lot of features for half the price got car... If you can afford the repairs and there will be some.. but I sold one and bought the exact same car again... Call me a sucker but i love the overall excite and features of the car....

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  Best Value in its class - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By AstroZ - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive had it for about 60 days and 2000 miles and so far everything is great. I checked out the RX330, X5, and MDX and quickly narrowed it down to the X5 or Touareg. The VW was much less expensive and a comparable vehicle so thats what I went with.

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  Toe-Rag - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By tigger_z2k - December 23 - 10:00 am

  It does everything but make you coffee in the morning. Changing gear in drive (as opposed to sport) is a bit sluggish, but comparable to most SUVs (exception being the Cayenne). Horsepower is a bit low for the V8, but understand they plan on a V10 Diesel, with improved hp and gas mileage (better then the V6). Versatility for off-road, highway travel, hazardous travel (like flooding after hurricane Isabel), and the everyday commute. Large enough to carry two dogs comfortably in the back (with seats down). Perfect size for the all around sportsman.

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  This Car Saved My Life... - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By survivor - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Last week, I was hit by another car on the freeway and my car wentnto a tree at 65mph. Airbags deployed, seat belt pulled us back into the seats, engine dropped to prevent driver/passenger crushing, front end absorbed the shock, hazard lights went on automatically and the door locks released.We opened the doors, stepped out and WALKED AWAY with a few minor bruises, abrasions and a sore shoulder & neck. Unfortunately new OR used Jetta TDI GLS Wagons are as scarce as hens teeth, but we purchased a 2003 Jetta TDI GLS Sedan yesterday to replace our totalled Wagon. That car saved my life. Thank- You Volkswagen...