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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  2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By North VW - August 6 - 3:26 pm

  Good car overall. Lots of pep and comfortable for a 6 ½ foot tall male over 230 lbs. Have radio with satellite XM, however with this configuration iPod not offered. Big bummer at a sticker price of over $40K and still can not hook up the iPod. Squeaky front breaks and a new noise from the front end (constant squeaking from the front end when you hard over to the right, up a small incline. Having it checked on now. Slight plastic-on-plastic vibration noise in the steering column. Overall a very cool car to drive and has all that my past BMW and Audi had (and more). Convenience items abound.

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  2003 Volkswagen Passat 1,8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By MirAli - August 4 - 1:10 pm

  We bought this passat brand new, fun to drive, looks very sharp but kinda noisy and very poorly built, we got 5 recalls within a 2 years- fuel p pump, brake light switch, heated seats burned that was recall, factory heat shield had a recall stating it could start a fire in the engine, the stereo system read "error" within the first months of purchase (warranty), brakes needed replacing around 20k. Transmission doesnt feel reliable, got an oil change guy told me I had engine sludge building up ($120) to clean, water pump+thermostat replaced at 36k, last night I was driving then the check engine light started blinking and car started shaking (misfire?) and noise at 42,500 I think its done.

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  Think twice - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Cooper / Napa - August 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Touareg in Nov 03 after looking at and test driving pretty much every SUV on the market. We liked the safety features of the Touareg and all the extras that came with it. My electrical problems started about 1 month after we bought it. My "check tire pressure" light would come on constantly. Dealership had to replace something, I guess this is a common problem with Touaregs. My car is in the shop now for the 2nd time because it just wont start. I have had to have AAA come out and jump it and take it to the dealer where so far they cannot find the cause. Something is drainign battery dont know what it is.

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  like it - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ro - August 4 - 2:00 am

  very good money invested

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  2011 Touareg Lux White/Saddle Brown - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By march609 - August 1 - 2:06 am

  This is my first VW and I am somewhat satisfied, but feel like the car is constantly down shifting when you are driving at a slower speed. It kind of feels like when you down shift too quickly in a five speed. It kind of jerks when it does it. Not sure if its just an issue with the individual car or something I need to get use to. The other very annoying and disappointing feature is for a $49,000 suv, I am shocked that keyless entry and push button start are not a standard feature. Very disappointing to say the least. Otherwise, its a beautiful, sleek, comfortable, sturdy and reliable suv.

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  Little annoyances of the Wolfsburg... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lr - July 28 - 10:00 am

  1.8T and sport suspension is great. Fun to drive, but not much more. The car gets serviced every other month for annoying problems. The passenger and driver windows have been fixed twice, sun roof broke, in hot weather sticky gue leaks out of doors, interior lights dont work right, passenger door doesnt close right, I could go on...

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  2002 GLS 1.8T 5A - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jgranato - July 28 - 10:00 am

  In my opinion this car is the best vehicle for the money. Although it can accommodate 5 the Jetta is most comfortable for 2. The rear seat leg room is tight. The 1.8T is the engine of choice for performance (180 HP Stock/210 HP chipped). The interior is well laid out with the exception of the cup holder. The cup holder opens up covering the radio controls. 2003 1/2 will introduce console cup holders similar to the Passat.

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  Mixed Bag - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Disappointed - July 26 - 6:30 pm

  My first foray with a Volkswagen has been a mixed bag. From the first test drive, I knew I wanted this car. The handling, acceleration, and performance have been great. The car has more than lived up to its engineering reputation. Unfortunately, the electrical issues I have experienced have outweighed the joys of driving the car. When the weather is cold, the cars sensors indicate that the car is overheading, even though it isnt. The dealer tells me that they are aware of the problem, but they cannot fix it. On occasion, the dashboard electrical system freezes. Shutting off the car and restarting doesnt help. It eventually goes back on, but I never know when. This car has too many issues!

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  Getting Worried - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Henry Spencer - July 24 - 3:53 am

  This is a fun car, an inexpensive convertible. Ive owned it for almost 5 years and thank goodness I bought an extended warranty, but Im getting worried because it expires in a few months. First the window fell out. Then the door locks went and the check engine light went on. One was covered, the other was not. They did cover the Mass Air Flow device last week for second problem. Also this week, had a bill for over $1,300 for the A/C evaporator! This should have lasted for the life of the car! The whole dash had to come out. Luckily the ext. warranty paid for $1,100 of it! My car has the same problems as some others do too... door handles, etc.

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  Vdub - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kevin - July 23 - 11:16 am

  First European car, super fun and super safe to drive. Bought it for pregnant wife and she fell in love with it. Certainly wont be last VW we own.