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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  Fun and Practical - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Bris - February 29 - 5:50 pm

  The VW Golf is a fun and practical car built for everyday driving. The 1.8T engine is peppy and delivers plenty of passing power while averaging around 28 mpg. Parking is easy and the VW can carry lots of luggage for its size. The car is probably less reliable than a Honda, but I havent had too many problems. In the last 18 months, I have had few repairs. I replaced a brake light switch and headlight bulb. The drivers window fell down and was fixed at no charge (recall item). The door switch that controls the interior lights doesnt fully work, but I still have interior lights so I havent fixed it. All other maintenance has been routine such as oil changes. I recommend this car.

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  Dissapointed #1 - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ed - February 29 - 12:08 am

  If it has not happen by now the headliner will come off the cd will stop working properly and you will hear a fan noise when the car is started. I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 and a 1988 Nissan Pathfinder and this never happen. I wonder what is coming next and I dont what to keep this car any longer. That is my last VW that I would own.

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  Cute, but Not Worth It - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Scarlet - February 28 - 11:46 am

  My car is adorable and I love the way it looks. Unfortunately, Ive had quite a few problems with it. The O2 sensor has gone 4 times in 3 years, the electric window motor has broken twice causing the window to not roll up, the button that opens the gas tank from inside broke making it unable to get gas (and I was on E), and now I am taking it in as we speak to replace the catalytic converter. Also, the cup holders obviously stink and I agree with a review I read that said the grill is too low to the ground. Mine ripped off from a parking space. Also, it is HORRIBLE in the snow. Ive spun out twice. It doesnt have great pick up either. Such a cute car should not cause so much stress!

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  Monster car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By J. R. - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Passat in Nov, 2001. It is an awesome car! There was a musty odor comming out of the AC vents initially but now is gone. There were no other flaws with my purchase. This month they replaced the ignition coil and added a safety shield to the rear fender ( both recalls). Neither of them ever gave me problems. For the looks, lower the car and add larger wheels and you will see the difference. I strongly recommend the car.

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  Quality ... Fun ... Inexpensive - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gerald - February 28 - 10:00 am

  A great little car thats fun to drive! This car really holds up well. I drive it pretty hard ... I dont baby it. I dont like driving a car thats a dog or makes a lot of noise and isnt going anywhere fast. The 2.0 liter is surprisingly peppy and gets decent gas mileage (30 mpg - hwy). Its far from being the fastest car on the road but still begs to be driven! Hence the slogan ... Drivers Wanted!

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  Never Again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Erica Bardan - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Glad to see Im not the only one with oil consumption problems! I too was told its normal for the car to use a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. How can that be? My dipstick is dry before each oil change-and I go every 3-4,000 miles. Ive been told by the dealer + corporate that they wont do anything about it-its not using enough oil to be a problem. This has been happening since my first oil change 10 months ago. Also,its essentially a 2 seater since the back seat is so uncomfortable, theres rattling in the doors-I have to open all windows to avoid hearing, + the fact that my best lint brush cant get a hair off fabric..will never buy a VW again!

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  perfect for anything - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By miron - February 28 - 10:00 am

  i ve compared this car to MDX, X5, RX 330, GX 470, FX 45 and XC 90. There was one single category where vw was underperforming . As you expected it is 14-18 mpg. In any other aspect Touareg is equal or better than the best of above cars. i,m thankful to folks from vw for eliminatig 99% of reasons not to have an suv

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  Fantastic - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gus P. - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Volkswagon by far has the best cars out there right now. German enginering is great inside and outside while some american made cars look like something my daugher put together using a cardboard box. Great on gas and a terrific pickup on the highway. This is my third Volkswagon and I when my lease runs out Ill get another one.

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  The Jetta is PIMP! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SupaFreak - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had the Jetta for about 10 months now, and I have greatly enjoyed the time spent with it. It is a very comfortable car with nice styling. The engine has good power (making more torque than the V6 @ lower RPM). The engine also responds well to modification and gets pretty darn good gas mileage. I get about 24-26 city. The rear seat room is a little small, but it IS a compact car after all. Also the build quality and the materials used are top notch. I have always driven American cars until this one, and it has impressed me greatly.

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  i love this car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rachel027 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car for about 8 months but Ive already tested its reliability. Ive been in two car accidents and both times it was the fault of the another. But the damage done to my car compared to the damage done to the other was unbelievable! One car hit me and her car was totaled and my bumper was slighty cracked and there wasnt even any frame damage. The car is built very well and much better than past models. My only complaint is where the drink holder is, it blocks the radio. Other than that highly recommend this car.