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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  100,000 Reasons to Buy the EGG - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Kegon - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Super vehicle--without question! I drive a ton and if you want a vehicle to take you to your clients or friends this is for you. No worries about the weather either--w/ all wheel drive its a snap!

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  SIMPLY AWESOME! BEST SUV EVER! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Dickwoo - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I get more compliments on this car than any other car I ever owned. Everyone who sees it says they hadnt realize it looked that good. I have never had this much fun driving a car! And I thought my Passat was awesome. BRAVO VW, BRAVO!

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  follow up 30 days - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Tom in Germany - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is amazing.... As it has broken in our mileage has increased unfortunately the fun factor keeps the pedal to the floor.... Excellent travel vehicle..... just glad I live where we can drive to the limit (Germany).... a very stable vehicle at 100+...... we love our Toe-rag.... VW is on the mark

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  My Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By PG - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I had looked at the Pilot, Four Runner, Highlander, and Murano. I had decided to buy a pilot, but was disappointed in the trade in value they gave me on my car. So, I test drove a Touareg. I was instantly sold. The interior is extremely well appointed and far excedes the others I looked at. It is much heavier, and you can tell it when you drive it. The dash is incredible at night. It is the nicest car I have ever owned and plan on driving it for many years.

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  Ads are true - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Lumax - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Touareg for about 3 weeks...I love it...great performance...great styling.

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  4 thumbs up for Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By willerd - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is an awsome suv... Its very nice on fuel which I kinda expected from VW... I doubted alot about this vehicle prior to purchasing because its VWs first take on an SUV in awhile and since I test drove it I knew it was mine! It impressed me, it didnt take it long to knock the doubts out of me...

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  best riding vehicle I have ever owned - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By gracie - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Best riding vehicle I have ever owned. Out rides the lexus suv.

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  The Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By the sean - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Its fast and fun to drive!

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Morales2 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is awesome. Its my first SUV, but I love it. It has everything you could imagine, the only extras we needed were to power seats!! I have been driving for about a month and love it more everyday. I have removed the headrests from the back seat because they are just in the way. Also, opening the hatch can be a pain, you must hold the button down for 3 seconds or it just doesnt respond. Its going to be a learning experience, the listing in the manuals wrong alot. Much of this to be expected with a first year of a car.

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  Great Job VW! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bob,sue - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have not had this Car long But I am Very Impressed with it! It handels Very well and I feel very safe in it.