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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  2012 Tiguan Transmission Defect - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By autogal1 - January 3 - 12:24 pm

  I bought a new 2012 VW Tiguan SE 4 Motion Automatic and in Drive (D) traveling about 25-34 mph the transmission stays in a high gear (5th) and makes a vibrating hum and shake.The transmission will not drop back to 2nd, 3rd or 4th at this speed and is overloaded in 5th.When I give it some gas it hums, lags and shakes more. After applying extra gas it abruptly downshifts lunging the car forward in a jerky fashion.I notified the dealer twice about this issue. The service rep told me the car is in itÂ’s Adaptive Learning phase and will work this problem out after I drive it for awhile. After 3000 miles the Tiguan transmission has not adjusted as the dealer indicated.

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  A Blast to Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Chicago VW Fan - January 3 - 2:20 am

  I just purchased a 2007 Rabbit 2.5 5-door on 8-5-06. I went to a great dealer with great salespeople. This is our fifth VW. This cars fit and finish are superior. I am impressed with its numerous safety features - see IIHS for crash test results. Its 5-speed manual transmission is smooth and slick. Its handling is awesome - it really hugs the roads. Its accelleration very pleasing as well - especially with the 5-speed. The interior materials are first class. The rear seat leg room comfy for a 6-footer. Its cargo area spacious. I use this vehicle to drive to work - 40 miles round-trip. So far it is averaging about 28/29 mpg mix city/hwy. This is one well-built-fun to drive-good looking automobile. Hats off to VW.

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  An SUV with good fuel economy? - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Kelli - January 3 - 1:06 am

  I have been driving a Tiguan for a little over a week now and it rocks. Very versatile, tons of room for people and luggage. The panoramic sunroof is superb this car was really worth the wait and I am get just on 30 mpg! Get one!

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  My first and last VW - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jmay1 - January 2 - 10:26 pm

  I traded in my 2007 Volvo XC90 for the 2012 Touareg TDI and, 7 months later, I am trading it in with only 8400 miles on it. Since I bought it in September of 2011, I have had it in for service 6 times (AdBlue pump issues, check engine light has come on many times and the brakes squeal when in reverse). I love the styling, comfort and gas mileage, but its just not worth the headache and trips to the service department. I would have thought for what I paid for it, it would have been better in its class. I chose this over the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3 (which cost less) and I couldnt be more disappointed.

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  Awesome Good - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By ussjimmycarter - January 2 - 4:13 am

  Just traded a Passat (2006) with the 3.6 L engine for a 2013 4 motion and the same motor. I love the car! It is quiet, comfortable, wicked fun on curves and it is beautiful! The sound system is unbelieveable. Programmable Key Fob, Air Conditioned and heated seats, when you shut the car off or hit open on the key fob all the windows go down about a 1/4 of an inch to make opening and closing doors easier! And boy is it fast! Switch to Sport Mode and manual shift and this bad boy will scream!

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  On the CR used car to avoid list - Great! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ppetrie - January 1 - 3:02 pm

  This car has so many engineering deficiencies, that result in so many expensive repairs just to keep it running, that CR in April 2011, put it on the used car to avoid list. The four areas with 3 to 5 times the incidence of repair for an average vehicle were: Cooling system - Engine cooling fan cassette & related wiring goes out at around 60K to 80K miles $800 to $1,200; A/C system, compressor seizes; Body Hardware failures - window regulators, door latches, trunk latches; and I think, major Fuel System issues. On my car, it wouldnt hold an on center track - cant be fixed, design flaw, making extended highway travel fatiguing; stalls without warning at idle - problem cant be identified.

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  This bug is a lemon in disguise - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By fitz5678 - January 1 - 7:43 am

  Just 19 months old, in the shop 5 times, each time 2-5 days. Recalled for top, still broken, mildew smells, radio volume too high. Mechanically sound, but asthetically bogus. Dealership still has followed through and now doesnt return calls. Arghhh

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  I wouldnt do VW again. - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By peppi1 - January 1 - 2:38 am

  I happen to like my little car a great deal. I never dreamt that I would have ever owned a New Beetle Convertible. I like the color, build, and style. I rated the interior poorly because any time a part is needed, which is not that often, I find myself having to dish out a heck of a lot of hard-earned bills. To replace a simple part, VW interior parts come with the whole entire assembly... I guess they hope that they will get all of your money. It does not make sense to have to replace the entire assembly just to need one small part. The parts are too expensive.If you touch the dashboard it bruises easily and my car leaks heavily when it rains when the windows are rolled up completely!

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  happy with car - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By der meister - January 1 - 2:00 am

  went from a 2000 vr6 to the 03 1.8t, the car is great bang for the buck, wish it had the 6spd like the 337 though. missed out on that one.

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  The Best Economy VW Ever in the USA - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Mahmoud Itani - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with VW is doing nowadays in the USA especially when it comes to the Golf. Golf has always been a worldwide best seller and here in the US if the Golf is probably the most cost-effective VW you can get. I highly recommend any person who needs a very reliable economy car, try the GOLF gas or TDI engined as they both deliver excellent mileage.