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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  Perfect, Except for Gas Mileage - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Turner - March 22 - 3:46 pm

  I honestly think that the Volkswagen Touareg is one of the greatest vehicles of all time. Its only downfall comes only from its massive weight that hinders better performance and gas mileage. In my case, I drive a short distance to work, so I am willing to tollerate the lack of fuel economy (16 city, 19 hwy). I recently took a 1,200 mile road trip and found it to be exceptionally comfortable and easy to drive - smooth and quiet even at 100 mph. We also hit very rough weather and it was useful having the weight and the full-time all wheel drive. The sandard Dunlop tires look good but last only 25,000 miles - with few alternatives. I recommend this car highly to anyone willing to accept the gas mileage.

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  nice car, but lots of problems - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By cjunkbok - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Youll buy it because it looks great, but then never buy another one again because things just keep breaking.

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  Great Value with Tuning Capabilities - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tizzle0620 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was surprised when I first test drove the new Jetta. I had been looking at many comparable new cars and once I drove the new Jetta, my mind was made up.

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  Dont Buy a VW Passat!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By ihatevws - March 21 - 12:10 am

  Just in case anyone out there still needs convicing that VW and their Passats stink when it comes to reliablity,... I had the window partly rolled down the other day and closed the door. After which the entire window fell into the door after breaking off the cheap plastic clips inside the door. Nice! VW wanted over $400, but took it to a window place and they got it down for $250. Have had the car not start which cost $600 to replace some crazy electronic part. Front axle just broke, numerous lights have stopped working and now I need a timing belt and water pump. Im praying to sell it before having to do more work on this piece of junk. Too bad since its such a good looking car:(

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  2000 new Beetle Turbo - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sjef van den berg - March 18 - 8:10 pm

  My Beetle drives like a bat out of hell. It has great road holding ability and a solid overall feel. I truly enjoy driving the car and will buy another one. Unfortunately, the 1.8 turbo engine is no longer available.

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  Long Term Happiness - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tdiguy3 - March 18 - 1:25 pm

  I bought this car new in 2004. In the 9.5 years I have owned this car it has bean, overall, fantastic. I have kept up regular service. The major problems I have had are: a sensor, front wheel bearing, rear wheel bearing, the heater blower motor, and a the heater resistors...replaced a few times. The heater repairs I did myself so cost was just the parts. Considering I have had this car this long and have almost 260k on it, this is small potatoes. Overall this has been the most reliable car I have owned. It was not built in Mexico but rather came out of the Wolfsburg plant and that is why, in my opinion it has been such a great car. I have had no engine or tranny probs at all.

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  Fun car ! Looks nice... - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - March 18 - 5:13 am

  Great car with many extras for not much money! Lowered suspension, 18" BBS rims, high performance tires, Recaro seats, 1.8 Turbo, Tiptronic auto, Monsoon sound system, great styling! This car gets looks and comments wherever I go (Lagoon Blue) and costs about 9K less than a BMW 3 series sedan. One thing is that it takes premium fuel, and gas mileage isnt that great around town, averaging about 18 mpg. That can get expensive fast with the price of gas.

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  Big Disappointment - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By RAL - March 17 - 11:06 am

  The dealer has been fantastic! The first 30K miles I owned this car I thought it was the best vehicle I have purchased new! (my used 1990 Miata with 200K miles beats anything!!) Since the 30K mark it has been all down hill! All of the ignition coils have failed. Only after the "sludge problem" stopped the car dead was I informed by the dealer that VW sent out clarification in late 04 about the need for synthetic oil! I bought in 2005 & had no notice of this! Now with 60K I am told one axle needs to be replaced & the boot on the other is leaking! (Not warrantied!)($1000) I cant tell you how many service issues, recalls! seat heaters, shock bolts, on & on & on!

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  2005 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By budsm3 - March 17 - 3:00 am

  Same comments as most of the others: Great highway ride, strong V8 performance, Best turning radius of any car I have ever owned. Handles very well. Nicely appointed interior, comfortable seats. Downside: the brakes for wear and this car is very difficult to be smooth when driving, at very low speeds the brakes grab and the throttle response is jerky. Poor Gas mileage Overall the car has exceed my expectations and most of the bugs from the 2004 models we worked out.

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  A very tight ride! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mike c. - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I experience a couple of the "usual" minor problems that plagued the Jetta: window that fell into door, and air flow sensor, both were warrantied, and neither happened again. VW service was excellent.