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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  Super fun car! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By afroloop - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Well, I just got mine and it is not broken in yet so I havent really been able to drive it hard. It is a beautiful car though, very comfrotable to drive and the exhaust sounds very nice for stock. I usually change the exhaust on my VWs but I will keep this one as it is as it sounds really nice. Even in the non-broken in stage it is very quick even keeping it below 5KRPM.

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  Dont buy this pain in the neck - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rockclimber - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new from the dealer w/a keyless remote. It was worthless and I had it replaced several times (thank goodness for lifetime warranties). Finally I had the whole think yanked. Electrically this car is a heap. It can self-alarm after starting w/ the key & 30 secs later it goes off. I have to tow it in for repair. Why the side mirrors are heated to 100F is beyond me. Supposedly, if the drivers door is left ajar for several mins, the car self-alarms. VW engrs figured this means the driver is being attacked, so the car disables itself. I wont buy VW again.

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  99 Wolfsburg Jetta - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Leah5429 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car and very dependable. The only complaints I have are the windshield wipers are lousy, and the windows fog up in the winter when the heat is on.

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  Dont get one - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RollTide - March 24 - 2:00 am

  My VW is fun to drive howeever I am not sure I can afford to drive it... Although I did purchase an extended warranty I am out over $1000.00 in one year. Knobs fall off, lights go bad, 27 miles to the gallon, Radio Sux, Poor workmanship

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  The Scoop on Jettas - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Corky310 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  We have almost 100K on our Jetta, so far we have had to replace the O2 sensor twice. The doors creak if you dont lube them and BAD gas mileage for an underpowered 4 cylider. We dont get a drop over 28mpg at any speed. For a little car, its a gas hog. My mother in-laws Buick Park Avenue gets better mileage and has twice the horsepower! The automatic transmission cant make up its mind what gear to choose or when to shift. Lord help you if you back out of a parking stall and expect to get moving into traffic fast. It wont happen. There is about a 3 second lag before it kicks in.

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  Three year update... - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By jrb333 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive now owned this vehicle for three years, and thought Id do an updated rating. This car has been just excellent in every respect. It still looks as sharp as any car on the road, and it has been 100% reliable. Build quality is fantastic-paint, trim, and interior all look new. Still one of the best values out there. I highly recommend this car.

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  So Far, so good! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By stacey1213 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  The gas mileage is awful, 15.3 avg. so far. However,it is very comfortable, feels like a Mercedes inside, and I have taken 9 hour trips in it and never felt sore> Love the GPS!

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  Impressive SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Elaine M. - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Lots of power, great road cruiser, nice looking, great interior details, and very stable in bad weather. The seats are uncomfortable, the electronic keys do not always activate the locks, the gas pedal is very sensitive (seems jumpy in first gear, windshield washer fluid leaks from holding tank, and it took three months to get the rear floor mat.

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  Vermont TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vermont TDI - March 24 - 2:00 am

  No cold weather start problems, even in a cold climate. Heated seat option is awesome! Well-mannered car, somewhat vague suspension, a "civilized" ride that gives up a little on sporty handling but gains in economy and (so far) reliability. Fuel ratings not quite what was quoted, I average 40mpg, however, I drive the car pretty fast on the interstate, and its happy at 85- mph! Relatively quiet, solid build, a safe car to be in, excellent corrosion warranty, a good 2 family car with a little junior. Lousy rear seat leg room for adults though.

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  My beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By A E Pearl - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Have always driven, and bought expensive cars. I can not say that I have as comfortable or as happy with a new car as this Beetle Conv. Bought the turbo, and love it. By the way, my wife are not light weights either.