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 - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Adrian - January 3 - 3:06 am

  So far my driving experience has been awesome. The Jetta has passed every one of my expectations.

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  Great car - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By tom - January 3 - 12:03 am

  This is one of the best cars I have owned. I came from an Integra GS-R that was nice but this car out does it in almost every way. The interior is wonderful, the materials used are top notch. Think of it as an Audi without the price. It is solid as a rock as well as being quick and torquey (I know its not a word). I couldnt recommend it more!!

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  2004 Phaeton V8 - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Eyecare - January 2 - 9:00 pm

  This car is an exceptional value in the used luxury car market. The fit and finish are impeccable. Elegance and refinement abound. This car is much heavier than other luxury cars in its class. Part of the reason is the quality of built as well as sturdiness of its frame. This car has one of the stiffest (if not the stiffest) frame of all cars in its class - a real safety feature. You may as well buy one with all the options as it costs significantly more to add them on later if you want it. Still, the standard feature list is extensive and more than enough for most people. Look for low mileage with complete warranty records. This is more luxurious and unique than my 12 cyl 7-series BMW.

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  Jetta is amazing - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By liz - January 2 - 11:50 am

  I had no idea what I was buying when I got this car used but have been amazed at my luck. With little to no problems, my Jetta is my pride and joy. It is reasonably priced its an amazing car that looks as good as it feels. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.

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  Wonderful car - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Pete - January 2 - 3:33 am

  Ive driven mine for 2000 miles so far and its been great. High build quality, very good organizational design, quick pickup, decent gas mileage, excellent handling and braking, quiet, top crash safety ratings. No complaints!

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  Love it! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By keelime - January 2 - 12:40 am

  Even though Consumers Report gave the Passat a bad rating, I liked the handling better than any of the other cars I test drove - Altima, Camry, Accord, Prius, Acura. Before I took the leap, I called the service manager at several VW dealerships and asked them what kinds of repairs they were seeing. Everyone I spoke to said that they saw very few repairs for the 07 Passat and thought it was the best car in the VW line. So I ignored CR and took the plunge. Im glad I did. The car handles like an expensive European sports car on turns. It is comfortable, stylish, responsive and reliable.

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  I know others complain about VW but... - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By eli1172 - January 1 - 4:23 pm

  I love my Beetle! I have had no complaints in the 4 years I have owned this car. It is so much fun to drive, and feels like a more expensive car. My husband is trying to talk me into a new one, but it is so hard to find something of equal cost with the same features. The only concern: the transmission is sealed and the fluid cant be changed. They say its lifetime fluid, but I dont buy it. If not for that, I would drive this baby till the wheels fell off!

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  2002 gti vw - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Ivonne - December 31 - 10:00 am

  its a vw!! what else can i say...i love it.

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  great car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By crowdlr - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Very good performance, safety and looks great! The cup holder is the only drawback, but it does work.

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  Im Hooked - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ILuVmyVW - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Just turned in my 99 Passat for a 2003. I love this car! Why spend the extra money for an Audi? Hondas cant compare. Smooth ride, excellent handling, excellent braking, safety - bar none, looks and feels like a luxury car.