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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  Best Luxury Car..and its a VW!! - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By DaBigDog - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is more than just a Luxury Car...It is a Comfortable Car. When you sit in the back of the car, you are presented with the self adjusting rear passenger headrests. Legs Tired?? Turn on the back and leg massagers. The creature comforts are beyond your wildest dreams. Multi-positional Drivers seat leaves no uncomfortable position. Horsepower on command!!

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  Very Nice car for the money - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By jc721 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Anyone looking for a car in this price range should go out and test drive and feel the interior of the car. I was shopping around all dealers looking for a car 15-25k with a overall good package. It drives and feels like a audi (manual) and every detail in the car is high quality. I would definitely recommend this car over any car in this price range.

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  Patricks GTI - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTI Man - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have experienced many cars of a variety of makes and models. The VW Gti is one of my favorites, and as far as an affordable economy goes this is by far the best. A true masterpeiece of German engineering (that of which is constantly taking new strides) and in motion this car is quite a performance. From my experiences this car can be a total adrenalin rush given the proper conditions. On my scale for an economy stock car Ill gladly give the Volkswagen GTI a 10!

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  Rocket that leaves change in your Pocket - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Diggerdive75 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  An incredibly fun car to drive, with a solid feel and quality styling. The backseat is a bit tight.

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  Jetta 1999 VR6 GLS - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve@USA - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I loved the car when I purchesed it, but this changed as problems arose. High maintenance and a lot of problems. Replaced several seals and gaskets, a/c, transmission, catalytic converter. The car only has 61,000 miles. Costly to repair because only dealership mechanics can practically fix these cars.

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  Think before you buy this car - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By thinkagain - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 01 Beetle GLS Turbo for the past three years, and found it unreliable car. Not to mention there have been numerous recalls which my local dealer can not fix properly, there have been many breakdowns such as 1. driver-side door hinge cracked within 2yr, 2. headlamp lightbulbs out 3. a portion of dashboard lights out 4. can not roll down passenger-side window due to major defect in window kit 5. rear breakpads wornout before 15K (I am not an aggresive driver). I strongly advise potential buyers to think before buying this car. Remember beauty is only skin-deep (some may disagree this is a beautiful car) !!

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  Touareg Tuff - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By dan deere - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This is simply a finely engineered vehicle. The ride and handle of a luxury vehicle, space of an SUV, interiors like that of a custom cabin cruiser. ThereÂ’s a lot to like here. The exterior could use a better shape, however, the available colors do make for a great looking vehicle. The placement of interior components is well thought out and standard features were generous.

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  Mine is a "98 with 60,000 miles - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By pfdbiz@aol.com - November 4 - 2:00 am

  My wifes car replacing a MB. She would never buy another MB, she loves the Passat. Not one problem in 60,000 miles. I do not get to drive it often since she is so happy with the car that she doesnt share it much. I asked her what she wanted as her next car and she said "the next Passat". Ride, comfort and handling, it cant be beat for the price.

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  I am Happy - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By velvet - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I love it. It handles well and is a pleasure to drive

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW mistake - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I lease my passat..I have had it for 3 years....In & out of the shop too many times...problems w/emmissions & many other where car had to be towed 5 times. Think twice, 3 times before buying or leasing this car.