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 - auf vieder sien to fuelpumps - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DnA Diesel - October 2 - 10:00 am

  What a great car! My wife travels a the mileage is fantastic - 65 mpg(Imp)/55 mpg(US). The ride is great, steering and braking are well balanced and have excellent feel typical of German cars. Rear leg room is a bit cramped, trunk is huge for a "compact", heated seats in winter are a nice but the velour seat material is a pain. It is a magnet for lint. Unless cost is prohibitive, get the leather. The diesel drives well year round - dont listen to what pepole say about stinky, smokey, slow diesels...VWs are not. In the end, the vehicle is a joy to drive and I accept its slightly smaller interior (in the back) because VW had not put a TDI in the Passat.

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  Lovin my new Toureag SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chitowncathy - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is great! The drive is awesome, it really hugs the road well. Drives great in rain too. Waiting to drive it in the snow next winter, that will be the real test. I came out of a Mercedes - SEC and I have to admit, I like the drive as much as the Mercedes. The cabin is beautiful and everything is very handy to read. Very comfortable cabin. The sound system is great too. Overall I am very happy with the SUV. VW did a great job!

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  Very Happy with used Jetta for daughter - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gjacobsen - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this fun little car after much research for my daughter. I have owned German porsches before and loved them. Although you cant compare this car to a porsche, it really is fun to drive. With six air bags, solid build, it is a very safe car for a new driver. I have read the negative posts and the positive ones. Even though there were more negative ones than positive, I chose a car that is fun to drive and is safe. It has more than ample power for a teenager or adult commuter. I did get an extended warranty, mainly because of the negative posts and the costs of German repairs. As I said, I have owned porsches so I know.

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  German precision - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By RussRamz - September 30 - 10:00 am

  A silky smooth cruiser with a virtually silent W8 powerplant coupled with the finest 6 speed stock transmission I have ever driven (I dont like automatics much anyway). The clutch takes some getting used to, but it only takes about 15 minutes in traffic to become proficient. Once you do, youll likely understand why most europeans prefer them over automatics.

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  Coming back to VW - Why did I leave? - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ToledoTom - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE the car! Not quite getting the gas milage I expect going 75 & 80 on I- 75 probaly doesnt help! Car is Super Quiet and LOVES to Go FAST,interior areas improved over Wifes New Beetle, cup holders are great and the back slides out for easier accessability. Security system is the greatest and doors are solid with inbeam construction. Oil changes are seasonal 6000 to 9000 miles because they come with Synthetic motor oil LOVE my Jetta Wagon - have 2105 miles and only 8 days old! Have exterior options on like - fitted mud flaps, Chrome foot pedals, window wind shades and decals or front bra, really makes the differance!

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  Jetta Wolfsburg is the best deal around! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwguy53 - September 30 - 6:23 am

  Excellent value and features. Wasnt a big fan of the 2005 redesign (looks are too Japanese...), but the 2.0T and 6-sp manual sold me! You get the GLI/GTI powertrain and top-notch build quality for not much more than Civic money. Youd have to spend thousands more to find a car with comparable performance, features, and quality. Herbie made me a VW fan. And owning 25+ VWs over the years have only made me more enthusiastic about the brand.

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  VW Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By stude - September 29 - 5:56 pm

  Has been a great car. Avg mpg 42+. Very peppy, great driving and riding car. A joy to drive.

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  Happy used VW buyer - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Scott - September 29 - 9:30 am

  Bought the 08 SE on E-bay exactly 1 year ago this week and am thrilled with my purchase. The car was auctioned off after a theft recovery and I was very apprehensive about buying a used car on-line, but have had zero regrets since my purchase. The VW handles great and looks brand new with only 12,400 mi. at purchase. I now have 23K miles and have only had oil change and tire rotations performed by the local dealer. Just wish the SE had full power seats for easier adjustment (not just pwr recline). Consistently getting 21- 24mpg mixed city/hwy and best mileage of 27mpg highway only on trip to Austin,TX without AC on cruising at 65.

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  Excellent car! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AdamRobinson - September 28 - 3:40 pm

  Overall great car for daily commuter! Everything someone could need in a great small car package! I drive 500 miles a week and would want nothing else.

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  german style - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By calboy2007 - September 27 - 10:00 am

  i love my vw so much that I just cant stand it i am a teen and it peels right ut of those corners like crazy. If i had a coice to pick any car in the world it would be this one.