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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  Beware of Passats - not reliable - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By mh - February 18 - 11:20 pm

  When I first got my car, I loved it. It is a C6 4Motion. It is tons of fun to drive. However, within a year, the shop tried to fix the gas gauge pump three times. This issue was finally resolved; however, now have fluid level evaporation for the oil, power stearing and coolant. There are no lights that indicate that the levels are below the minimum level. If i lose all my coolant, I am in trouble. My car is only 4 years old with 36,000 miles. It shouldnt have these problems. In addition there is a noise under the car they cant resolve. Now my window has it a mind of its own. Never buy VW. Go with something more reliable like a Honda.

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  So far, so good - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By graham_line - February 18 - 4:32 pm

  After 15 months and 17000 miles, car still feels like new. Plenty of room for two people and very comfortable on 600-700 mile days. Fuel economy is averaging in low 40s for a highway/city mix.

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  Never running out of driving fun - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mike - February 18 - 4:50 am

  used to trade cars every 1-2 yrs, BMW, Acura, Mini, Honda, MB, but still keeping this car more than 3 yrs. Feeling of very secure driving and confidence. No mechanical trouble so far-very lucky. Nothing fancy or outstanding in the parking lot but never out of style. Liked its different driving settings and plying it all the time. Still very satisfied up to 95% of my expectation.

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  1.5+ year ownership. Would buy it again. - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By balkor2 - February 17 - 7:32 pm

  I purchased my Jetta TDi early January 2010 and at the time of writing this it is latter September 2011. Since purchasing the vehicle I have been using Fuelly.com to track my expenses and fuel usage from mile 1. Mixed city driving and average around 38 miles to gallon so I fuel up around once a month. Highway to DC 50+ mpg back roads to Ocean City loaded down with luggage and people 39 mpg. ISSUES: iPod cable (on third one and will replace this one on warranty). Bluetooth issue at purchase. Could not pair phone with it. Warranty replace. RCD10 media button came off on my finger more than likely do to interior temp was over 120 degrees F. Transmission did not engage once on a steep hill

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  Love this car - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By DKR - February 17 - 9:00 am

  I too looked at everything available, and went to VW on a whim. I was sold on the CC before I even drove it. The price point is amazing, the features are above those offered in the same class level at the price. I have only had it 2 days, but cant wait to get in and drive. Have been waved down 3 times in the 30 hours I have owned it to ask what it is. Love that it has no real markings, other than the VW logo. People think its a Benz.

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  So far, so good. - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By s4guy2000 - February 16 - 10:09 pm

  I just acquired a 2012 Jetta TDI Premium. We have a 2013 Jetta Sportwagen with all of the options and have put about 9000 trouble free miles on it, so I bought the 2012 sedan as a certified used VW. It has around 50k miles on it and I drive 74 miles round trip everyday. So far the car has been really nice, the tires are terrible and I will be changing these out in a month or two, but I am still getting around 53.8 mpg when I just kind of cruise. I averaged 44.8 mpg on the first tank with faster driving. I like the DSG it feels a little clunky if you are used to traditional manuals, especially when it downshifts when you are slowing down, but it is pretty smooth while upshifting.

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  72 Karmann Ghia owner gets new VW - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Brantley - February 16 - 7:00 pm

  The car is fun to drive. Charlotte traffic is actually bearable driving this car! Handling is good, pep in the engine is responsive for hwy merging. I find myself smiling when I get in and people smile at me going down the road. Truly a reponsive car for the price. Interior fit is good. As a Karmann Ghia owner I have been intrigued by the release of the new Beetle and finally gave in and purchased the convertible. Love the German engineering in this car.

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  Does Not Get Any Better!! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Yuri - February 16 - 4:53 pm

  Let me start by saying this is my 3rd vdub, I actually traded in my 07 GTI (manual) for the 2.0T passat with the sport package. All I have to say is that I wish I had done it earlier. Love the car, the inside is way cool, the leather smells great! Love the automatic windshield wipers and lights, the tiptronic tranny with the shift paddles, those things are fun. Overall a great car to get, cant wait to go on a family trip with it. Love the 17" BMW 525-looking rims - they give the car an awesome look!! And the sound system is flawless. Dual AC makes it great since the wifey doesnt like it too cold! I cant wait for my other lease to be up just so i can get another Passat.

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  Awesome - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bill Mahoney - February 16 - 8:26 am

  Ive only had my TDI for a week now, and Ive filled the tank twice, not because I needed to, but because I was curious what the milage was. Both times I was over 45 MPG. When I test drove the car they had me enter a highway so I could get a sense of the cars high speed attributes. Before I even left the on ramp I was traveling fast and knew then Id buy the car. Its nimble, agile, and a joy to drive.

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  This car is HOT - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rebecca - February 16 - 1:03 am

  The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI does a great job of mixing a "responsible" 4-door sedan with a fast, sporty car. This is my second VW Jetta, the last being a 2002 1.8T. The redesign on the Jetta was superb, although the 2.5 I test drove didnt have enough pickup for me. The GLI did the trick, and then some. This car is FAST, and I love to drive it! I love that it is a 6-speed, too--not that I ever have much occassion to get there. But it is a heck of a lot of fun! VW makes a quality car and Im a customer for life.