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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  Awesome - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By solus - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I had tried over 10 SUVs. Surprisingly, I didnt fit in many. Granted I am a big guy, but SUVs should be able to fit larger people. Anyway, Im moving to the snow country and needed a vehicle that could get me around. After being disappointed with many test drives, I tried the Touareg. It was awesome – head and shoulders above the competition. This car is not a pretender like most of the SUVs made other manufactures. Given the standard features included, I decided to go with the base V8 (especially since I found one with a ski sack). I highly recommend anyone looking for a fully capable SUV to try a Touareg. Have fun and good luck with your search!

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  true suv - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By wundercar - November 10 - 10:00 am

  excellent performance a true suv in mink clothing

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  Pay the extra cash upgrade from Jetta! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dandadtodandB - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I upgraded from the Jetta, because the 2002 was falling apart. I should have spent the 2k more and got the Passat from the start. The handling is great, the mileage is better than the Jetta, I get 22mpg city, 26mpg hwy. The car is have all the fun of the jetta, but with more power. Power is more than adequate. Taking some getting used to the 5 speed auto and turbo lag. Way underpriced for what you get.

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  so far so good - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By james bond 2 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Had this 1.8T since March of 2003 So far the only problem has been a "cracking" sound when ever I start the car and proceed to turn right or left for the first time. Apart from that no other majour problems

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  Good Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CoolJetta - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Good Car, Great engine. Cool Interior.

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  RUN LIKE HELL - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Ros - November 9 - 5:54 pm

  This by far is one of the worst vehicles. I only had it a week and its been in the service shop everyday...REFUND

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  Cant keep it on the road. Money Pit - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By jimmyd16 - November 9 - 4:18 pm

  I bought this car used in 2010 from a vw dealer and I have been disappointed since. I save a lot on fuel but I make up for that with the thousands of dollars Ive sunk into it for repairs. Im probably up to over $10,000 in repairs and that is from thoroughly shopping around and getting the best deal. Dealership sold me a "bumper to bumper" warranty which was voided the moment we took it for an oil change at a non VW dealership.

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  The Best Car Ever Built - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By larry golin - November 9 - 2:06 pm

  Most people who drive with me think the car is a V8 it has tremendous pickup, the seats are perfect for long distance driving with correct lumbar support and height adjustment. The car is equipped with all kinds of little niceties that others do not have. Such as lift away windshield wipers, stickless front hood holds, both front window express up and down, outside control of windows and moonroof with key window control without the key turned on, on board computer with total MPG and momentary MPG, total miles left on tank, Long term MPG and short term MPG etc. etc. It has both manual and auto shift which I like to brake the engine or going on a twisty turney road.

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  Just dont do it - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Laura - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for the same reason many people buy Volkswagens: They look nice and are fun to drive. Well, they are fun until they start breaking down!! My car has had an array of problems. I would NEVER buy a Volkswagen again. I know lots of friends with Passats and Jettas, they have issues with theirs to. Volkswagens are good up until about 60,000, and then theyre junk. Oh, they do not hold their value well at all either. I will say that this car was fun and roomy in the front. I did feel safe in it, as it is a heavier car. There are other cars out there - do not settle on a Volkswagen.

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  Im back VW! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By MySilverCC - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my very extremely reliable 4cyl Honda Accord EX-L W/Nav for a 2010 CC. I have no regrets... so far!! Ive owned VWs in the past, and overall, they never gave me any extreme issues. The CC has a lot of power for a 4 cylinder. You can be up to 80mph quickly if youre not paying attention. It has very good road manners, seats are comfortable, gas mileage is also very good. I like the looks of vehicles exterior, and interior is nice, although it is "leatherette". My Honda at least has real leather on the front, and bottom areas. Overall, Im happy happy happy! Got it from Koeppel VW in Queens on Northern Blvd. Great people by the way! Whats up Rosario!