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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  Jetta Wolfsburg - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By snair - November 15 - 10:00 am

  A great drivers car:)

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  Passat - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lise Waugh - November 15 - 9:16 am

  handles crowds really well. Switches to standard gearing on the fly allowing you to cut through traffic without any concern. Access to rear storage area is easy for kids in back seat by just opening a "tunnel" to get their stuff out. Love this car. VW for life.

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  The best! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Troy Bailey - November 15 - 7:36 am

  I just went from a 2005.5 Jetta Package 1 to a 09 Jetta SE. The engine is so much quieter and the 20 extra HP is noticeable. The fit and finish are even better which is amazing!

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  Love!! Love!! Love!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By mel - November 15 - 2:16 am

  Can I just say that I LOVE this car!!! I have only had it alittle over a week, but I love it! I bought it used (2003 w/29K miles) Got a Screamin deal on it from a guy in Portland OR. He wholesales them out and sells them CHEAP!! I have looked around at everything from a Honda Civic to BMW 3Series to a Volvo S40, and this Passat outshines them ALL! This car has ALL the options. I Love the way it handles, the seats really hug you. I read all the consumer reports and reviews on this model. I am coming from a 1992 honda accord, and I have always had hondas, so I was a little nervous to stray and buy a Passat, but I am so glad that I did! I will keep you posted as the days go on.

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  Fun between fill-ups - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BoMar - November 13 - 7:20 pm

  I have found that the TDI is great on mileage. Our 1st trip was to Fresno and we got 47 MPG. The turbo lag upsets other drivers. I would like the wagon better.

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  Outstanding car - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By richsquid - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 28 cars. This is overall the best I have owned. The TDIs low end torque is amazing. I feel like I am driving a six cylinder instead of a four. Dont be afraid of the automatic. I love it. I just hope this car is reliable. I wish Toyota made a diesel for U.S. consumption. If it stays reliable this WILL be the best car I ever owned. Just 3000 miles so far. Great seats. Starting so far at about 18 deg.F.

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  Perfect commuter car... - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By d@g - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything you need and nothing you dont. Its a blast to drive, and even more fun when you can drive PAST the gas stations for 700 miles on every tank. This is my second TDI and I would never buy another gas-powered car again. The entry fee for membership in the VW cult is low and the benefits are high. What a cool car this is.

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  Nice, Very Nice - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tcj - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Hi have a 2003 Blue Lagoon 1.8T, its a fabulous car. I would recommend spending extra for the sports package-- 17" wheels and firmer suspension. Con: My only concern is long dealership service waits, and the Jetta has no back seat room at all, however if you ever sit back there it is very comfortable.

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  Needed at least one review for diesel - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rcplaneman16 - November 11 - 9:02 pm

  Looked through some of the reviews and noticed not one for a diesel and everyone main complaint being MPG. Well just wanted to state that the TDI Wagon for my family has reliably gets 35-38 mpg depending how one drives on the highway and has had no major problems for 225k miles. Only things replaced was 2 alternators, original died and its replacement died while under warranty and had to clean the carbon out once so far out of the engine. everything about driving is like the gasoline that everyone has talked about.

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  Love This Car - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By TC in NJ - November 11 - 11:33 am

  I too am on my third VW (Jetta, Passat, now CC). I love this car. It looks and feels like a much more expensive car. The outside styling captivated me, but I love the way it handles and the sleek interor as well. Great soundsystem. So far my gas mileage is running on the high end of the range. Once I drove this, I dropped all thought of a more expensive BMW.