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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  Great Car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Clyde - September 16 - 8:50 pm

  I have a little more than 8,000 miles on my 2002 1.8T 5-speed and so far it has been a great car. Great performance and I have been averaging nearly 28 miles per gallon. I also looked at an A-4 but couldnt see spending the extra money for the Audi. I like the Passats styling and the interior quality is excellent as is the Monsoon sound system . My only complaint is the cost of routine service at the dealer, but theres always Jiffy Lube.

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  Awsome - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By JJHSlady08 - September 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most awsomeest thing that Volkswagen could have built

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  The best Ive got so far! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By amalone - September 16 - 10:00 am

  I have to admit that I was a little worried about the hp since I owned a Z06 and that is a powerful car. However, nothing can beat the handling of my R32. The all wheel drive hugs the curves with the smoothest ride and no over or under steering. I have had a lot of fun with it. And the exhaust sound turns heads... No one expects that sound coming out of a VW golf :-) Interior design is classy and functional. Exterior design is a typical golf. All and all, nearly perfect.

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  moneys worth - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By jim roy - September 16 - 10:00 am

  i am a previous vw owner, 01 jetta diesel, auto trans.. this is my 5th vw. i wanted a passat as soon as i read they were coming out with the diesel. the car is all i had expected & more, very comfortable, quick, economical 40.7 mpg @ average speed of 74 mph on the interstate. wife loves it!!!!!

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  Great Car/Great Value - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jride - September 16 - 10:00 am

  Before I purchased the Jetta I looked at everything from Cheverolets to Jaguars to Mercedes to Nissans and spent two months looking everyday. I was replacing a Lexus IS300 that was wrecked. My main concern was safety and VW ranks at the top on saftey. The Jetta gets great gas mileage, is a quality build that had many of the same interior designs as the Mercedes (without the high repair cost), and has a great reputation. My cousin had one of these he drove for many years and finally sold with 310,000 miles on it and it was still running. Overall the car is one of the best on the road that offers quality, style, performance, and reliability all in one.

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  Love it - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alaina - September 16 - 10:00 am

  The VW Jetta is a great car that is built better than any other car on the road. Most German cars like BMW and Mercedes are good quality but,high maintanance cost. The Japenese cars are reliable, but have cheap features and interiors. The American cars have a long way to go with quality in both the interior and exterior...also with reliablity. So the Jetta is the one car that you can get German quality, virtually no maintanance, very safe, and extremely reliable all one.

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  Traded in my 06 Passat for 09 CC Luxe - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By TexC36 - September 15 - 10:23 pm

  Great Car. My first VW was an 06 Passat, great engine, great dependability, no problems or issues in 41,000 miles of daily commuter service. Drove a new CC and found it rode better, was quieter, and of course looks great. Gone is the "wallow" in higher speed corners that was present in my old Passat. CC has a tighter feel all around.

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  New R32? HOT!! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By Nate Adams - September 15 - 7:10 am

  Just three days in and I am absolutely sure that this is best purchase in 27 yrs! We have had an 03 Jetta, and currently have an 06 Passat. I had bought a GTI in Feb but couldnt resist the all-wheel drive. But that is nothing compared to what I felt and heard out of that tailpipe! Deep, soothing sounds that send chills up your spine! Sport and luxury all at once? Great job VW. Just give us a manual next time please!

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  2 Month Follow Up - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Wheels8716 - September 15 - 5:16 am

  Ive had the CC for a couple of months now. The DSG transmission is great on country roads or highways with its quick up & down shifts. However - I would call it anything but smooth in the city. Jerky stops & starts, sometimes wont shift into 1st at a stop sign. This makes it lethargic once you get back on the gas and the cars in 2nd gear. Quick stops are sometimes scary. The transmission will give you a bit of engine braking, but then shift into a lower gear making it hard to judge how much force you should have on the brake pedal. Its a bit of a nuisance, but you learn to live with it.

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  Liked it so much we bought two - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tim - September 15 - 5:09 am

  This is a great car for the money, especially with the large discounts off MSRP (about five grand) that can be negotiated currently. Within a two week span, my college graduate bought an S model, and I bought the SEL for myself. We both like the car for its roominess, attractive and uncluttered cabin, technology (especially Apple CarPlay), great turbo engines, and gas mileage. We looked at a number of other cars in the same class; the Jetta was a quick choice because it feels much more "mature" than the others, and actually has a rear seat that grown-ups can sit in. The expert review makes a big deal about the cheap interior materials, but how often to you touch/feel the dash or door panels, and if you do, does it really matter if they are squishy or not? The leatherette seats are very comfortable, at a price point below the competitors leather trims. The only real complaint I have so far is the suspension which seems quite stiff going over speed bumps and rough pavement, and a little more interior noise than I am used to. The Jetta cabin is a great place to spend my commute and a lot of fun to drive, regardless of what the experts say about the interior materials and handling. I dont plan on taking it to the racetrack anytime soon, and Ill leave the twisty back-country romps to the professional car testers. Regardless how you may feel about VW, this is still a well-engineered German car - at roughly half the price of a BMW 3 series or Audi A4. Im still a big VW fan, scandal or not. Long live Fahrvergnugen!