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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  What is everyone thinking? - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Holly Pryor - October 22 - 11:26 am

  I have been reading everyones reviews about how they love this car. Personally I have not had a good experience. I have had a knocking noise that sounds like it is coming from the dash on the passenger side that sounds off every 1 min and 15 sec. The airbag warning light stays on, the brake warning light stays on, the signal warning light stays on, and periodically the power steering light comes on and the steering acts crazy. I have already replaced the rear brakes at 20,000 miles when supposedly the rear brakes only get used 25% of the time. I have already been to the dealer twice. I need a car that I can depend on as a single mother and this car is definitely not it.

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  best car i have ever owned - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By love my jetta - October 22 - 8:46 am

  I bought my jetta with 200,000, kms, replaced the timing belt, inner and outer tie rod ends when I first bought it and since I have put 80,000 kms, with no problems, I will allways buy VW, real fun to drive 2.0 5 speed, handles great, has no rust anywere, no rattles,

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  Repairs - Often and Expensive - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 1st_andlast_vw - October 22 - 5:10 am

  Like previous posts I would not recommed this car to anyone unless they like paying for rental cars and expensive repairs. Just had my drive shaft replaced at 76,000 miles for $1,300. (Tip: search the web for shops that sell re-manufactured shafts for $450 to $350). At 52,000 miles the internal speaker in the instrument cluster went out, the VW repair is to replace the instrument cluster, the part alone is $1,000. It does handle nice in the snow but its a gas guzzler and tires (expensive ones) seem to last only about 30,000...were due for our 3rd set at 76,000 miles. Also need a slew of special tools to repair if your a do it yourself person. Very noisy, due to wind, with the window open

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  2005 Passat TDI Wagon - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By James Witt - October 21 - 8:30 pm

  2005 Passat TDI Wagon special order exact color, trim, leather, OnStar sets this wagon ahead from everybody. Tiptronic one finger up / down shift, corners flat, smooth ride 29 mpg city.

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  Shake....Rattle ....Roll - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Mike Coleman - October 21 - 3:44 pm

  There is something going on with the Tires......BRAND NEW TIRES......And the Shake....Shake ....and Shake....Have been Balance by everybody....Belle....Discount....VW....Everybody....Now I told that Continental Pro-Contact is a Poor Tire for the Tiguan....It wont stay Balance..I have been to the Dealer 3 Times in 2 years...Plus to Belle Tire and Discount Tire. They all tell me it the Tires and Volkswagen knows about the Problem and wont do anything about. I was told UN-OFFICIALLY, That when I need tires....Buy Michellin. They ride better Im told. If VW knows Continental Tires are bad then swap them out. Why make me suffer for 2 or 3 years waiting for the tires to wear down.....Hey Volkswagen REMEMBER FORD/FIRESTONE.....Im Going to keep writing about this problem.

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  Still overpriced, but a blast to drive - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By tepsicity - October 21 - 9:38 am

  I still think the GTI is overpriced for its class, considering you cant get some options available on other comparable cars (have fun trying to hook up an iPod to the system and have it work through the wheel controls and enough already with the plaid cloth seats), but DAMN is it fun to drive. Way more fun than the Mazdaspeed 3 at least among the 2010 models, and any WRX in that realm would have been even more overpriced and driven to death. Fair warning that I had to spend a good $3k to replace the fans in the front in a hot climate at around 67k miles. Pissed me off to put that much money into what was at that point about a $10k car, but like I said...DAMN is it fun to drive.

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  Took that Chance and May Now Regret It - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cuckoo4watches - October 21 - 5:23 am

  Well, Ive owned 35 vehicles, of which 5 were VWs. To me, it seemed VW screwed up with the more recent runs and after two poorly built GTIs (99.5 2.0L & 01 VR6). I said I would NEVER buy another. Well, I had to swallow my pride and pick up one this past summer because of a baby. I sadly traded in my hopped up Mini Cooper S to get something more family oriented. Now I may have made a mistake Ive had my car for 7 months and it only has 4,000 miles on it. All sorts of little fit and finish issues are popping up now and now that cold weather is back, my car doesnt start properly, with that high then low rev. I am a nit-picker but my wifes Hyundai is built much much better! Perhaps I made a mistake!

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  Vault solid and great value. - 2016 Volkswagen Golf
  By Drive Fan - October 20 - 8:28 pm

  This car drives sublimely. Quiet, stable and agreeably fun. Excellent highway MPG (40) OK city (25). Manual takes a little getting used to after precise 6 speed manual 14 Mazda6. Fit and finish are great. Wish the aluminum wheels were a little less boring on the S, but the suspension is way more refined than anything close price-wise. Inside, its all logical and nothing feels base. I got this with a huge discount off MSRP and in many ways it is like a 2005 Acura TSX I owned for 5 years. I hope that the reliability is good and that VW gets on track following the scandal. This is an icon of simple design refinement. Now at almost 12,000 miles, I continue to love the Golf. Masterful in city traffic and mileage has improved, great suspension and no problems. What a deal!

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  Best vehicle weve ever owned, way better then the new model PERIOD! if you want a real truck and not a car. - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg
  By utadvrider - October 20 - 11:18 am

  Best vehicle weve ever owned, we are a large family and got rid of our 2007 LTZ LOADED Suburban. Gas milage savings alone has paid for the car payment, we save about $4-500 per month with the driving my wife does. Not to mention that the VW tows more then the Suburban, the Chevy only towed 7K and the smaller VW tows 8k! Besides the towing, it drives great, same as the Porsche for the most part, really the only differences are: Diesel, interior and wheel options, which the interior of the VW is way nicer then the Porsche. It fast (torque) and handles great, on & off road! Its a Real Truck, not a car thats lifted like most SUVs, body on frame like a PU, Land Cruiser of Land Rover.

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  Fun to drive, if and when if ever works! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By grvlguy - October 20 - 7:53 am

  I love this car...hate VW, hate the dealer..Nothing but bugs, problems, cracking wood trim, every week this car has another problem. VW failed on this, but to think the sorry dealership network they have can actually take care of a customer with a $50,000 car is the joke of the century. Run away from this vehicle, VW or America, and the dealerships as fast as you can.