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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  Give it a try, you might be surprised - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jim - July 26 - 10:17 am

  This Jetta puts a smile on my face every time I get into it, simple as that. Its a very well balanced car. I have only two complaints about it: (1) somewhat lacking steering feedback - not a huge deal once I got used to it but I prefer the steering feel of Ford Focus; and (2) headlights not turning off with ignition - this one is annoying enough to force me to search for an aftermarket solution. Other than that the car is excellent and great value for money now that tumbleweeds are rolling through VW showrooms and dealers are knocking 15-20% off MSRP. Responsive engine, good torque in a wide RPM range (even better with aftermarket tuning if thats your thing), smooth manual transmission, solid handling and braking (aside from the steering that might take some time to get used to), very nice touchscreen with Android Auto support, comfortable seating position, lots of space in in the back and in the trunk, Im sure Im forgetting something but the main thing I use a car for is to drive it and the Jetta does that better than any car I tried in this price range.

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  Jetta is Great! 70K miles and counting! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Frank - July 26 - 4:10 am

  The Jetta seems to be a love/hate car. It looks to me like a lot of people that had the 1.8T models had serious issues. Couldnt be happier with the 2.0 L GLS model. Only complaint is the water pump issue that VW has yet to recall. Common issue: the water pump fins melt off and cause head gasket failure. If you look around, this happens to everyone. Other than that, very few issues in 5 years. Great car for the money and fun to drive!

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  Great car for the price! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrea - July 26 - 12:00 am

  Great car, very reliable. Great on gas, and affordable. I only wish it drove better in the snow. Definitely need to upgrade to snow tires on this one.

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  Amazing Sport Sedan!! Test Drive it! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By The Kingwood KId - July 25 - 8:10 am

  The last Sports Sedan I owned was a 2004 Acura TSX. In my opinion, this car blows it away on performance and handling. From the satisfying grip of the steering wheel to its solid handling and acceleration, this car is a winner. I could feel the difference when I drove a new TSX and a 2010 Ford Fusion Sport. Two months ago I didnt know this model VW even existed. I cant understand why VW hasnt marketed this car like it has some of their other models. You have to test drive this car to really appreciate what it has to offer in terms of the driving experience. Simply amazing. I have had the CC for two weeks and have about 700 miles on the car with no complaints what so ever.

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  My Bunny - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Lexcord - July 24 - 2:06 am

  When we drove the Rabbit, we knew that this was the one. It is a drivers car. Our first tank of gave gave us 27 MPG (mixed driving 85% highway). The engine is smooth and its acceleration is great at lower RPMs probably because the torque curve peaks at around 3,000 RPMs. I gave build quality a 9 because the lumbar control knob was broken upon delivery. We were going to buy a Honda Fit but decided to try out a Rabbit after seeing the comercial. It is such a nice car to drive and FUN! It feels safe and solid. I am so happy with our new car, the only way we would get rid of it would be if VW came out with a TDI model.

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  Im having a blast driving! Great car... - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MonMunoz - July 23 - 12:20 am

  I am a first time Jetta owner and I am so happy that I got it. The new Jetta style is hot, classy and its so much fun to drive. I am extremely excited and happy about it. The warranty is great and the dealership was super friendly and it was an easy transaction.

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  Sporty Practicality - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By 737 Jock - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Daily driver that is nearly as much fun as my Vette. Outstanding low end torque and acceleration. (No WRX-like turbo lag.) Very good steering and brakes/ better than a WRX/ not quite as good as SVT Focus, but combined with lux car quiet and ride, it beats them both. Monsoon has great bass. Firm, comfortable, high bolstered sport seats with excellent heaters. Many items from Audi parts bin. No reliability issues at all. A practical mini-Vette.

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  German Quality at a Bargain - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ask - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Shotlisted the Honda Accord EX and the Passat 1.8T. The Passat was a hands down winner. The interior is well appointed. Good quality materials used. I got the luxury package and the leather seats are just great. Although the Honda has far greater horsepower, the Passat felt more solid on the drive and handling. Do not make your choice before driving this baby.

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  Love my 1.8T Jetta GLS - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VBVDUB - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle with great anticipation, and did it ever prove to be worth it. I drove both this Jetta and the Audi A4. For about $7K less I got a car that knocks my socks off every time I get behind the wheel. It makes the 100+ miles I drive daily a treat.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By RickA - July 22 - 7:56 am

  After suffering through an Mercedes ML, this thing is a joy. Its rock solid, fast and has been very reliable so far. The interior is on par with an Audi and the electronic features (most of which are standard) all work as they should. I am so impressed by Volkswagen to be putting out vehicle such as this one and the Phaeton. They deserve to be playing in the same league as the "big" guys.