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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  Lemon - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Rourke - November 28 - 11:36 am

  From the moment I bought the car it was in the shop 6 time. This last repair is going to cost me at least $1500 for the TIPM. This is crazy. Why is this allowed to happen?

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  So-so - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike LLLL - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, great motor, lots of minor problems: coil pack went like all VR6s (if your car stutters when wet, its the coil pack), speed sensor went- left me stranded several times, locks freeze up/fell out, been through 3 window regulators, cruise control not functional, intermittent wipers not functional, several sets of molding trim fell off, VW has terrible service and has surcharges to get parts in less than 48 hrs.

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  VW Beetle cute but unreliable - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bwittany - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I love the way this car looks but I have had so many problems with the car and the dealership that I cannot wait to sell it. Ever since I bought this car it has been nothing but trouble. In the end the car is cute and fun to drive but I will never buy a Volkswagen again because of the problems I have encountered.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jfuller539 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive and it would rank high with any sports vehicle in its performance. Plus it looks great

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  New GLX wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By awm34 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I leased an Audi A4 Avant for five years before replacing it with the Passat GLX wagon. Saved mucho dinero by discovering that the cargo & passenger capacity of the Passat was equal to the A6 that my wife coveted. New features also nice: in-dash CD, heated mirrors, HomeLink (not working yet for me).

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  I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Industree Wiz - November 28 - 10:00 am

  For a 1.8L, ride is similar to a 3 series Bimmer. Cornering, braking, comfort and acceleration are oustanding. Electronic monitoring and control system do work. Controls are adequate (could be better). Excess heat in cabin forces a/c use in the summertime, useful at wintertime. Interior would be better if provision were made for storage of CDs, MDs and audiotapes. Otherwise, it is a pleasure to enjoy German engineering in this nifty well-equipped package.

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  my first VW - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Emilyann - November 28 - 10:00 am

  hi I just want to say that I recomend the jetta to everyone, i feel very safe (4airbags) the car just hugs the road on turns and curves ..i live in N.Y and out highway are not the greatest ...but my jetta is taking the bumps and potholes like a champ ! good luck everyone..p.s the leather and sunroof make a difference !

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  New Rag Top - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beth 66 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive, lots and lots of looks from other jealous drivers. The top is very easy to put up and down and does not leak!

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  Still The Best $ for $ - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By William H Morris - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Dependable, all around enjoyable vehicle to drive. Power to spare. Very comfortable for small car.

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  I love my bug! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By GreyLear26 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my bug convertible! It is a great little car. It is fun to drive, pretty economical considering fuel cost. I just love it. I look forward to it getting cooler here in Phoenix, so it will be more conformable to drive with the top down.