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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  Laughing at the SUVs - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By swconline - May 5 - 7:00 am

  I have owned this new body Jetta since October. I traded in my sweet 02 Passat for it. Has more power than the 1.8T Passat and it gets incredible gas mileage! I test drove the E-Class diesel from Mercedes and didnt think it was twice the car (even though it was more than twice the price). The only thing that would meke trade-up is if they come out with the European version Passat TDI.

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  Experience "Echtes Fahrvergnügen" - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Liz Wolf - May 4 - 2:26 pm

  I have driven many cars in my 50 years; my Rabbit tops them all! Zip, zip, zippedy zip, in and out of parking spaces, in and out of traffic in a jiffy. Rabbit loves curves. One day I will get a traffic ticket for speeding, since Rabbit does not want to go slow or follow anyone and I just cant control it. Maybe Cesar Millan can help make it calm and assertive, not mildly aggressive :)

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  Love my car!!! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kimberstew - May 4 - 11:13 am

  My first car was a Jetta. Ive had several other cars since then and was recently in the market for a new car. I couldnt deny the quality of the VW cars and saw it in the comparisons among other makes. Once a VW owner, always a VW owner.

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  Happy, Happy Beetle Owner - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Donna - May 4 - 11:10 am

  I am very happy to have my 4th Beetle. I have owned other cars, pick-ups and SUVs, and none compare to the overall performance, affordability, dependability and fun as my "New Beetle".

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By sfoust - May 4 - 4:03 am

  I absolutely love this car. What a blast to drive, and its quite practical for carrying passengers and cargo too! Styling is great IMO inside and out, but I wish there were more color options for the interior besides black. Still, the quality of the interior is unmatched in this price range. It feels like Im driving something much more expensive which brings me to my next point. Yes, this car may have a starting price above other rivals, but it also comes with more standard features. An equivalently featured civic will run you almost as much money. This car is super solid and handles great. Even with its sporty intentions, the ride is comfortable and compliant. I Love My Golf!

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  03 Jetta GLI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By swtjeepguy - May 4 - 2:00 am

  My first new car

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  I am a VW driver forever! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Co - May 3 - 10:50 pm

  I love the car--its spunky and reliable. I get better mileage than advertised: 28-33 mpg. Its VERY well built! Makes me happy to drive it. I love my VW! And the dealer was great to work with me, great price, great interest rate, excellent trade in and upgrades.

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  Love it - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Johnathon S. - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking for a while for a luxury vehicle in the Mercedes E class range. I am not a big fan of BMWs, but anything else goes. I happened to go to a VW dealership on a whim and saw the W8. Once I drove it, I knew I found what I was looking for. It could be a little bigger in size, but the engine power, style, handling, all scream look out Mercedes (and Audi, BWM, etc). This is my first VW, and if they continue down this path, Ill be buying many more. And you cant beat the price...

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  awesome diesel - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By duckman - May 3 - 10:00 am

  this is the most reliable car that i have ever owned, and the funnest that i have ever driven. People are amazed when I fill up at the diesel pump( which doesnt happen often, 50 mpg). I say diesel and people think of big rigs. When its on the road people are amazed at the acceleration and pull of the little engine. I have pulled u-haul trailers with it while moving, and pulled away from other mid size sedans while running down the road. It has been ROCK solid reliable and has always been there.

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  First VW Passat, Loving it - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jevekta - April 30 - 3:10 am

  This is my first VW Passat and I couldnt be any happy with it. I have owned lots of cars, mainly Mazdas and Nissans. My good friend purchased the same car two months before I did. I got to test drive his and fell in love with it. It is a solid car, it has all the bells and whistles, and it has plenty of speed. This vehicle gets a lot of attention as well, people look twice to see what it is. For anybody in sales or on the road a lot, get the navagation package. Youll find reasons to take the car for a spin even if you have nowhere to go.