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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  What a lemon - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Valerie - February 24 - 5:00 am

  As cute as this car is, I cant explain how horrible the last 11 months have been with it. With my two previous cars we had zero problems, I suppose I made up for all that time with my Beetle. Thankfully, there have been no major mechanical problems. However, random reflectors have just fallen off, and if Im lucky, both turn signals work. The seats could be more comfortable, and its difficult to adjust the angle with the round "knobs." I dont drive much at all and I fill up two times a week. My car gets terrible gas mileage. Ill be selling the car before its a year old.

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  Excellent Quality - 2016 Volkswagen Golf
  By Judy - February 23 - 11:56 pm

  I have had this car for for 8 months and I love it. I literally researched different cars for years before I bought this one, and definitely made the right choice. Ive had no problems, and I feel the quality and luxury every time I drive it. The only things that are a "con" would be these: the gas mileage is not as good as my old car (which was a 2001 Kia Rio), I still have problems fiddling with the windshield wiper lever, and I wish that every model came with an option for a blind spot monitor. I wanted that feature, but didnt want to buy an entire package for thousands of dollars just to get a blind spot monitor.

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  Move Over Prius, Heres The New Standard - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bryan - February 23 - 4:00 pm

  Watch out, all you denizens in your hybrid econo boxes with 500 pound batteries under the backseat and your smug looks at the stoplight. Ive seen the future, and am driving it now. That future is the 2009 Jetta TDI, especially the Sportwagen model. Imagine averaging, in a new, tight, not broken-in engine, 50+ MPG on the highway on cruise control, and in the high 30s in town, with lots of torque, comfortable interior, German engineering, and handling which, while not as good as my Lotus Europa, is a LOT more responsive and tight than a lot of more pedestrian cars. Do yourself a favor, hie yourself down to your VW dealer and drive one for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed.

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  Very Satiisfied Eos Owner - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Tony D. - February 23 - 6:43 am

  My wife and I drive this car on long trips (165 miles) and short jaunts (10 miles). The only repair issues we have had was a recall to replace 4-ignition over-plug coils. (No charge). Driver side door needed new window switches (no charge - under warranty). Our dealer is fine, but, I am very watchful! Battery went dead once due to me unlocking trunk overnight when I put the key fob in my pocket. No engine, roof seal, door and window operating problems. Car rides smooth, dependable and fast Mpg average between 28-31 on trips (70-75 mph top up or down) and 23-25 around town. I use mainly 89 Octane and mix 93 Octane from time to time.

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  LOVE my car...HATE what VW did to DESTROY resale! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By LPL - February 22 - 9:16 pm

  I have a 2012 TDI SEL and LOVE it!! We drive between Maine and Georgia frequently and stop ONCE for diesel. The car is comfortable and roomy with plenty of creature comforts. BUT, after four years, and being in Maine, we need an AWD vehicle and now this car has zero resale. VW should do more for ruining the value of their cars than they have.

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  Great Handling - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Guenter - February 22 - 10:46 am

  Ive driven the car now for 7 months and put on almost 20000 miles, 80% on interstate and highway. I like the responsiveness of the engine and the great traction, especially in snow. Gas mileage has been much better than expected from such a powerful engine. On the interstate I usually get 26-28 mpg, on the highway 27-32, in town about 20-24. Up to now I have not encountered any problems. I can recommend this car to anybody who has to drive a lot, wants to have some fun while driving and still occasionally has to haul a family.

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  2003 vw gti - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By blkvr6gti - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my new GTI VR6 if the gas/mileage wasnt such a big factor i would drive it everywhere, all the time. the car drives sooo smooth and at 10,000 miles already after 8 months and still nothing wrong with the car. the car comes with everything you could ask for in a sporty vehicle. i love it i know u will too.

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  Perfect car for me - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By cjo4 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Perfect car for a recent college grad. Great build quality to shame a Merc, luxurious ride, fun to drive, all the safety bits (8 airbags, disc brakes w/ABS, etc), nicely equipped, and a sense of a car costing $10k more. More than 2 yrs on, and ppl still give me looks as if it were an Audi (which it feels like). Has been dead reliable, always starts (even in mid NE winter), and the size and space of hatch is amazing. Pity my color is no longer offered-bright green-cause it makes it look so upscale. Love the looks, love the price (paid less than $15k), and love the fuel econ (+30mpg).

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  Wonderful - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Siu - February 22 - 10:00 am

  the best car you can get with this price. Excellent design detail. Solid engine, excellent performance.

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  watch out BMW, Infiniti, Lexus.. TOUAREG - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By eggyacid - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Well, i was in the market for a new SUV and i looked at the following... BMW X5, Infiniti FX45, Lexus RX330 and VW Touareg V8. Oh my God, there is no comparisson.... After driving a V8 Touareg, that was it.. Sign the paper and purchased the car. X5, FX45 and RX330 watch out, there is new cat in town. Jeff V8, Nav, Xenon, Convinence Package