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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  Dont go there... - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lorog1992 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned Hondas for years and decided to take a chance on a VW...bad move. I cant believe the number of time this thing has been in the shop. VW must have figured out what terrible cars they were building because they bumped the 2yr warranty up to 4 years now. A lot of good that did me. VW credit and VW customer service were horrible as well. This is by far the worst experience Ive had with a car.

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  a first class LEMON - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By rnm442aol.com - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Broke down (lost power) the day I bought it brand new. Was in the shop for 2 weeks..replaced entire electrical system. Lost power 6 times since then..oil system problems...tensioner..I feel TOTALLY UNSAFE in this car. VW will do nothing. Ill never buy another VW Worst car I ever had Dick MArshall Pittsburgh

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  Torture - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Barnacle Bill - July 5 - 10:00 am

  A gorgeous SUV promising lots but one major problem. The armrests in the forward doors chafe the arms of anybody over five foot eleven. Really, really annoying and stopped the buying right there and then.

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  CROSS USA/CANADA TEST DRIVE - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By SUVW - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Through the good graces of my friend, who owns the local VW dealer (free plug: Montesi VW, North Haven, CT), I was able to pick up my new Touareg at the port and proceed to take a cross country adventure with my kids for almost the entire summer. We gave the Touareg a good test, driving 10,600 miles over six weeks, about 200 of those off-road. All I can say is that when I find a woman I like as much as this car, Ill consider a relationship. Thoroughly fun on road and off-smooth at speeds of 100mph, and the Nav system is fantastic. I ran into a Cayenne owner who was dismayed that he didnt wait for the Touareg. Need I say more?

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  Best car I have ever owned!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kharley - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I get excelent gas mileage average around 45 miles to the gallon. The only thing is that an oil change cost 60 dollars because you use more oil along with a different kind of oil in the disel version. I would not trade my car for anything it is fun to drive very cute and money efficent. I highly recommed it to anyone who is on the road often. I put 6500 miles on it in 3 months and got it straight off of the truck. Its great!!!!

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  TDI SportWagen is Amazing - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bam - July 5 - 9:46 am

  I now had my 2009 TDI Wagon a full year now and have 15k on it, so I thought I would share my experience. The car has been flawless and has had no service issues at all. Mileage has been great at mid 40s on the hwy and mid 30s in the city. If you are going 65mph cruising it will get over 50mpg. My usual tank avg. is 38-40mpg with 2/3 hwy miles. The car is fun to drive especially with the 6spd. manual. Started right up in 30 below zero overnight weather last winter, no problems at all.

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  One of a kind, state of the art! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Passat 06 - July 5 - 7:56 am

  This is a premium car at regular price! It has a turbo engine, 6-speed Tiptronic, all features you can think of - standard. This is not a car, its a space ship. The Passat compares to the Acura TL and Lexus IS, but not in price - it is $10,000 - $12,000 less. It is a BMW without the price tag. Hey, Honda and Toyota, do you think for $22,400 out door for my Passat you can compare you cars to it?!? What are you selling for that money? Not even half what the Passat has standard. And this is the bottom - Value Edition! I have been driving VWs since 1993, and I intend to drive- forever! The VW Passat is a masterpiece, not from this world!

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  Small problems but great car - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By qch2002 - July 4 - 1:53 pm

  I bought my car in Dec.03 but its a 2004. LOVE the Diesel. Only gripes are, rattling in dash, clutch not robust enough, center armrest is not big enough and hides cup holders, back seat too small for rear facing car seat.

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  My first VW! - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By dmo - July 4 - 2:23 am

  After searching all the other cars in its class I decided the Golf was in a class of its own. So far I have had the car for a month and a half. I love the styling and drivablility. I have put 4200 miles on it going to work and a long road trip and it has been phenomenal. All driver controls are nice and trip computer was awesome on the road trip. I am getting better mileage than what is average and I drive it like it is supposed to be driven not babying it at all. So far couldnt ask for a better car. The only thing I have added since buying is the adjustable arm rest. I am 6 ft and 230 lbs and the car fits me fine

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  Too many repairs! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lvnlyf - July 4 - 12:56 am

  Im upset about the repairs Ive had to have done. First the door handle, then the windows, then the convertible top, then another window. The list goes on. The interior is not impressive either. The door handles plastic coating wore through. The cigarette lighter pop out (I dont smoke) wont shut properly. They said they just glue them shut (!). It looks great from afar, but the quality isnt there. But what really makes me mad is the $$ it has cost me to repair all the stuff. Dont buy one! No matter how fun it is to drive or how cute it looks with the top down, you might be looking at a lemon.