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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  Fun to drive between repair shops - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By caro2012 - April 20 - 3:12 pm

  I bought my 2001 GTi with 25,000 miles on it and put another 105,000 miles on it over the course of 5 years. While it was comfortable to drive and had nice styling, the car completely lacked reliability. In the 5 years that I owned it, these are the things that broke or degraded prematurely: PCV tubing Ignition coils Ignition coil wiring harness (degraded insulation) Timing belt (replaced at 50,000) Clogged oil pick-up tube Radiator fan (broke) Coolant flange (degraded, leaked) Drivers side seat belt clip (bad sensor) Automatic transmission (failed at 100,000; rebuilt and failed again at 130,000) Broken, leaking axle at 130,000 Leaking power steering pump Cam tensioner Belt tensioner

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  2006 Volkswagen Touareg - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Vic - April 19 - 8:50 am

  This truck has a nice, classy look inside and out that drives like a dream.

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  Mr Toe Rags - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By ChipRode - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I would have chosen another ML 350 but for dealer attitude, they insist on navigation systems and third row seating! Well I know where I live and I don’t plan on having kids. My first 1000 plus miles in Mr. Toe Rags tell me it’s a very nice vehicle. Gas consumption is OK at 17 mpg overall for 1057 miles but it does dip into the sixteen’s and fifteens around my short country commute to work. Yes it’s thirstier than the Mercedes. Quiet and refined it does not get buzzy at speed and it goes fast enough to get expensive tickets. It is a smooth riding, fast performing easy to drive super utility vehicle.

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  97 Jetta Jazz - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By EB - April 18 - 6:40 pm

  I absolutely loved this car when I got it new. I drove it with 115,000 miles with no problems. Then the 1st transmission died (manual). At 146,000 miles the second one died and I am ready to retire it. I still love the car but its not so much fun without the 2, 3 and 5th gears!

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  Verdict is still out. - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chicago Gearhead - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Just owned my Touareg TDI for 24 hours now. Really wanted the hybrid but the whole Chicagoland area is only getting about 10 hybrids for the whole 2011 model year. Seems like an advertising scam to me. The TDI surprisingly has little torque until past 2K rpms. My GX470 seemed to have much better torque at 1300 rpms even though it is rated at 76 less lb ft torque. Handles really well, similar to my wifes G35x. Fit and finish is well executed. I seem to have no problem meeting or exceeding the govt rated MPGs. Over all, Im happy with the purchase but at these steep prices, I dont think VW is going to sell many of these!

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  Fun to Drive - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ape - April 15 - 6:13 am

  I bought this car after test driving other similar sedans because I liked the driveability and it wanted a manual. I still like the driveability but will not buy another VW for a long time. Ive replaced the distributor cap and coils more than once, replaced the battery a couple times, replaced the ignition switch, and had it stop and need towing at least twice for issues such as the distributor cap. For a long time Ive explained the problems by looking at the cars age and high mileage but after reading other reviews see other owners have had similar experiences. The trim has fallen off both sides of my car and currently all of the gauges randomly drop to zero while Im driving!

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  New Owner 2 day review CC SPORT VR6 - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By sumncguy - April 13 - 11:40 am

  5/7 220lb no problem getting in/out, plenty leg/head room. Drver Seat setting allows ample leg room rear seat rider. Config of the dash controls, 1st glance, easily found/used while driving. Over done interior electronics most I will never use. A good reason to get the warranty. VW should offer VR6 with less fluff. If they did I would have purchased that model instead. Performance/handling quite good both in twisties & on the slab. slow at the starts. Rougher back roads reminded me I was in a smaller car. Performance/steering wasnt inhibited crests/valleys are felt more. Mirror/through window views unobstructed. Ill be back with an updated review.

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  Great Car, Persistent Annoyances - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By kcuth - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in March 2002, Ive driven the Passat through very severe snow storms in the Sierra, as I frequently commute between Reno and San Francisco. The all-wheel drive system holds the road like a cat; the 6-cylinder engine accelerates smoothly with plenty of power over the steepest grades. Handling is very good:firm and predictable, with no sudden surprises in the curves. Far superior to any SUV on the market. Seating is comfortable and visibility, all-round, is good. I like the car very much but will not replace it with another Passat at end of lease period, in one year. Recommended with reservations (see below.)

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  All cars will have their trouble... - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By sftbltuck - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Any car you buy will need to be kept up. I agree the windows are a pain, but easily fixable. I have over 30K on my GTI and have had nothing but fun times, as long as you take care of a car, it takes car of you. I do have to say after owning a honda, the gas milage is a little sad...

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  Great Car with some squeaks and rattles - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By spiral107 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I have put over 60,000 miles on my Jetta and I still love it. It has been a great car. My main issue was with the build quailty. It seems like there were a lot of small issues originally and I have had squeaks and rattles the entire time, and they come and go through the years. My window went out, but that was a recall, and my rear brakes did need to be replaced at about 30k, so I guess i did notice what the majority of people did, but i have not had O2 sensor or ignition coil problems ( although the ignition coils were a recall too) I love it, its a great car to drive. I would buy another one, although I think i would fight for an extended warranty.