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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  Based on New Purchase - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By M Nylen - March 20 - 4:56 am

  Loved the look, the zip, and the plush seats. However, its been nothing but fustrations. I have been to 4 dealers in 4 years. With less than 50,000 miles the weld failed on the exhaust, the water pump went, the throttle body needed work, and now I hit 50,000 mi, I have to pay for a new radio that gets horrible reviews - Monsoon. And the list goes on.

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  Exellent Choice - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JV - March 18 - 10:30 pm

  For what is out there at that this price, this car is an excellent choice. I love the DSG direct shift gearbox. I found a couple of annoying things mostly related to what I think may be the computer (the clock runs slow, the airbag does not go off when passenger leaves the car, Satellite Radio deletes my pre-selected memory). Other than that, I love it. I wonder how the DSG works with a Turbo or a V6.

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  Small (1.4) turbocharged VW sedan with a 5M - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Buck - March 18 - 7:16 am

  This is the bottom of the VW line......but the top of the line for MPG. VW purchased (buyback program) my immensely competent (but EPA says incompetent) TDI. The Jetta S 5M seems a very good value - noting the end of the model year discounting. Test drive was positive. Purchased late August 2017 for less than my 1988 cost for an Acura Integra 4- cyl hatch. First refueling calcs 477.5 mostly city miles on about 12 gallons of RON 87.

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  Drove for 9 yrs and LOVED IT! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kim - March 18 - 2:43 am

  So much fun to drive even in the 9th yr. Its got a great kick and the interior held up well. Very reliable! The only things Ive ever had to do besides tires and oil changes is replace the clutch once. Granted I only put around 8-9 thousand miles a year on it. But I drove it hard and in lots snowy/rainy weather conditions.

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  A True Nightmare - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By wr0108 - March 17 - 8:06 am

  I will try to keep this as short and to the point. I was extremely excited about my 2009 new lease - a truly beautiful car. Within 4 days of leaving the lot, the steering sensor light went on. It has been back to the dealership 3 times for that problem, in addition they found a leaking coolant system on one return and now it is again in the dealership for a leak on the rear passenger floorboard --- eight days and counting for the leak and another loss of the car of 3 weeks for the steering light issue. It is a true Lemon. I know its hard to believe because of the looks and design but i am just relaying my issues. When its not in the shop, its a great car but... Beware.

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  Fun for the first 40,000 miles - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Chelsey Raden - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Its fun to drive but once you hit 40,000 get out your checkbook. Multiple electronic/sensor repairs, recalls and broken gadgets (fuel flap, armrest compartment latch etc...). When talking to other Beetle owners the same complaints were made. Would I buy another-no. Not reliable.

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  problems - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By fredb111 - March 16 - 10:00 am

  We like the car and the diesel engine. My problem is that with 4000 miles, the transmission has been replaced!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Great functionality, poor driving - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By swissre - March 15 - 11:26 am

  After almost 3 months of owning a new EOS I am still happy with the functionality of the sunroof, it has good torque throughout the RPM range even compared with other turbo engines, it has very good speakers but lousy sound unit (premium) but the worst for me is how it drives. You have to be really delicate to avoid the car spinning like crazy when you start. I have the upgraded 17 wheels with Continental tires and that has helped little. So at the end it dissapoints because the engine is great and the DSG gearbox is amazingly smooth but the car is not sitting on the road as it should and can become dangerous because of the big torque it has for its size.

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  Poor Product, Arrogant Manufacturer - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Marq - March 15 - 5:33 am

  Grimly unreliable. This car reminds me of owning a 1977 Fiat in High School. VWs look classy and handle well, but things fall off this car (i.e. interior panels, turn signal covers, coat hooks) The check engine light flashes like a Munich disco. Never again will VW gain my business.

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  maritime hauler - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By nplatt - March 15 - 5:19 am

  I drive about 10,000 kilometers a month as we are building a house about 1,800 kilometers from where we live. I make about a trip a month down east and my daughter plays a lot of hockey in the Greater Toronto Area. My car has almost 50,000 kms. since I got it late last fall and I feel that I can give a fair and balanced review. Yes, the mileage is great as long as the weather is not too cold, it gets much better in warmer weather. My only gripe is the GPS which conks out after 10 hours of driving- maybe it overheats, I am not sure. The one negative thing that caught me off guard was a tow truck driver who tried to intimidate me which filling up. He said that I was in the truck land-a..hole!