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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  YUCK!!!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Xtremelydissapointed - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Driving it out of the dealership was a very happy day...until the car started giving problems at about 26K miles. How convenient, right after the warranty expired. What problems? Window regulators (same window, twice within 5 months of 1st repair), back brakes, bad fuel tank, engine light turning on and off...Need I say more? Now the happiest day of my life will be the day I get rid of that pretty tin garbage can.

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  it is a shame VW doesnt care - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By scarabo - March 15 - 10:00 am

  none

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  I love my bug. - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By nancyg - March 15 - 10:00 am

  This turbo diesel does have some get up and go while getting awesome mileage. Its fun to drive & as small as the car is, I somehow feel safe inside it. I will buy another Bug. I just hope they keep making the TDI.

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  Great Decision - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By stephen - March 14 - 8:23 pm

  Had the car 2 weeks and have nearly 2K miles on it, wont be driving it that much after the summer. I sold my 2001 182K mile Passat on Craigslist in 36 hours and was looking at a 2007 Lexus IS250. Tried to make 4 different deals for the lexuss but no one wanted to budge. Got fed up and went back to VW and got a the loaded GTI autobahn package for less than a 2 year old lexus. Apples and Oranges I know but I do enjoy the GTI, had many many compliments on it already. The sport seats are a little narrow and took a while to get used to but now I quite enjoy it. Hope the quality rivals the old Passat, that car would have been good for another 100K.

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  Dont Buy a VW, Too Many Problems - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Fabby - March 14 - 8:46 am

  This car is a headache. There is always some kind of electrical problem going on. It burns oil at about 1 quart per 3000 miles. Terrible car, highly do not recommend it.

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  Sporty high-end feel - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By martygardner - March 12 - 7:17 pm

  Ive had the Tiguan for about two months now and am happy with the purchase. Coming from a Camry, the taller height and tighter feel are welcomed. The build quality and cabin design are excellent, and the pickup is great, especially in Sport shift mode. I do find that the tighter feel can create a bumpy ride on rough roads. I dont have enough experience with other sporty cars to know if this is just what you get, or if its unique to the VW. Its not enough to outweigh the pluses, but I notice it.

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  Great Car, but unfortunate - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWkid - March 12 - 9:00 am

  I have owned this car for less than a month and it is fantastic. It drives well, looks great, and has tons of extras, all for a low price, now and when it was new. I love the car.

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  Love my used bug - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cy - March 11 - 9:40 pm

  Well this is my first VW I swore I would never buy or drive a bug, but I love my bug. I got real lucky I found her in the newspaper one owner a folder of her records oil was always changed on time, new timing belt, brakes, water pump new sensors all leather int stick turbo heated seats mirrors, only thing is high miles all highway 20,000, but with all the new parts and its in mint I jumped on it for $2,300 cash I replaced the cat did the work my self ordered one on line and the clutch, so I have like a new car, I love her shes good to me to, to everyone that had problems sorry maybe your car was made on a fri or mon, they say those are bad days so dont buy a car that was made on that day, thanx

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  2002 Passat - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By MaryAnne - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had more trouble with this new car that I did with my 8 year old BMW. Many trips to the dealership(thank goodness they opened one near my house). Headlights burn out every 6 months. Rear brakes warp and have been replaced and need replacement again after 8 months(dealership say this is normal!) I fear the day when the warranty goes out.

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  Sport Sleeper - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By New Dad - March 11 - 10:00 am

  So, my wife has never owned anything but a VW. When her 88 Fox GL wagon finally went over the hill, we bought this car, and we love it. The Trek edition is beautiful with the flat 5-spoke 14" rims and the rear deck lid spoiler. Keep wax on it and the Fiesta Red will shine forever. The 2.0L SOHC 8V engine is fantastic. Dont let the uninspiring 115hp fool you. Its the 122lb/ft of torque that makes this car fly. You want a 5-speed. Throw on some Koni adjustable shocks/struts and youve got a European sports sedan.