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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  I LOVE my Jetta!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RaceGirl - August 28 - 10:00 am

  So far my experiece with this car has been awesome! I come from driving a 02 Saturn, which did not give me the value in return for the care put into it. The Jetta gives the features I want and all the power I could want. Once I start driving I dont feel like getting out. The drive on it almost feels like a V6 even though its not, the drivers side is very roomy and provides plenty of comfort. Overall, from the day I walked onto the VW lot until now I have had nothing short than a great experience!!

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  My faithful Steed - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By meistering - August 27 - 4:06 pm

  You always see the cowboys with their horses riding off into whatever the next adventure may be. The horse, of course, is more than a horse...of course, of course. It is their faithful steed--a loyal companion. That is what my GTI is--my partner of the road. The car has gone with me from as close as the grocery store, to as far as the other side of the country. It has seen blizzard, rain, sunshine, drought, you name it. My car does everything I would ever ask, and not once has it broken my wallet or told me "no, thats too much." The next adventure is always around the corner, or just less than 6 seconds away.

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  R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By R32 Owner - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Third new VW. 4-motion and engine are great. Exterior is stylish but not over done. Love the interior. Exhaust note is great. Its so nice that I find myself not wanting to turn on the stereo.

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  New to VW - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Tierri - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I really like driving this car. I switched from a larger gas taking car to this auto. Im also 64 and have plenty of head room in this car. Since Im the only one driving the car I dont have to worry about people sitting behind me. The car is very distinctive and has some get up. Definitely fun to drive. The included i- pod was a feature I didnt expect.

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  Its not 1972 any more! - 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By peterr - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Originally purchased todrive our daughter from PA to FL to college, it has become an everyday favorite of mine and our first choice for any long distance driving. Exceptional power and handling that actually feels "Sporty", even on small country roads despite its boxy appearance. The geared down 201HP V6 has great power. The weekend 4- some fits easily with 4 sets of golf clubs. Great at winter driving with ABS and traction control. Access requires quite a step up which can be problematic for older individuals.

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  Id Buy it Again! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jtwizard - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Have had only one problem, the brake booster failed at 43,000 miles. The dealer fixed it on the first visit. This vehicle is extremely economical, while being fun to drive, also. It can also be repaired by a good mechanic unlike some of the hybrid models out today, and you dont ever have to reaplace expensive battery packs.

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  Great car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW fan - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I have just owned a VW 2002 Jetta station wagon with good price and low APR car loan. Its a lot of fun to drive this car. Handsome looking with perfect finished inside.

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  2017 Jetta S Manual - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eddie - August 26 - 9:58 am

  Great car! I love my jetta! 1.4 turbo! 40 miles per gallon combine using gasoline 91 octane is awesome! Great Value for you money!

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  A Nice Machine - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jack - August 26 - 3:23 am

  This car is built like a tank. I didnt realize it until after I bought it, but compared to Japanese cars its a tank. Im not knocking the Japanese cars, but I believe tin would be a good word to describe the outer materials. The car rides amazing, it is very quiet inside. It is a heavy car as well, so you wont feel the hitting. It is good aerodynamically. The engine is very responsive the torque band is very impressive. Its got good power all over the place. Its not a Corvette, but it is a good compromise. The fuel economy is wonderful. I can usually get above 30 mpg out of it. I would no doubt highly recommend this car. It is a great all around vehicle. Insurance isnt bad either. V Dub rocks.

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  What a SUV....Touareg Lover - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Linda Virtudes - August 25 - 8:33 pm

  I enjoy driving my vehicle and the suspension is very smooth. The turning radius is awesome. I am able to manuever with ease and the steering is very comfortable. The interior of the vehicle seals off the noise from the outside. The seats are very comfortable and the head space is roomy. I think its neat that the glove compartment is also air conditioned to keep your chocolates from melting.