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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  Great Sedan - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ivonne Brown - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Yes, after looking and test drive some japanes car such as nissan honda, mitsubishi and mazda. The winner was german car Passat. The classic lines and desing, the interiors and ergonomics. The small turbo 1.8 engine is agile and very responsive for a four cylinder.

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  Couldnt be more pleased - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By James Cook - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The Turbo is very nice and provides more than adequate power. However when the temperature was over approx 86 degrees F., the motor was very short on immediate power. Perhaps it need something to cool the hot air at these times.

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  thumbs up for the 2004 vw jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By apropos104 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  i am on my second jetta and have been pleased...i will continue to buy vw cars because my parents and i had nothing but good luck with them (they have a 2001 passat).

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  Just bought one - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Doty - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The new Jetta is a great car. I am very pleased. I really enjoy the smooth ride and it is seems exceptionally roomy considering how little it actually is compared to other cars of its class. It is well designed inside and out. Its great design doesnt stop under the hood. It is very user friendly and clearly distinguishes what the average owner needs to check and what the average owner needs to leave alone.

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  Jetta wagon 1.8T GLS 5M - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jhilton14 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my Jetta. Its a blast to drive, it gets good mileage, and its cargo area is pretty big. So far (knock on wood) in about 7300 miles, I havent had any problems with the car at all. I would highly recommend this wagon to anyone who needs a wagon, but still likes to drive.

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  very nice, i love it - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By maame - August 8 - 2:00 am

  i wanted this to be my first car, its a simple car, but has those extras that set it apart from the other cars, something different that other car companys are trying to copy NOW... to put it simply i love it

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  like my jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pensacola - August 8 - 2:00 am

  no complaints, fun to drive, great gas mileage, tight feel, beemer-like.

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  Dereks Passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Derek2D - August 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome, the turbo engine, and the 5 Speed are sweet. The sound system is great, and the gauges at night are cool-looking. I am not usually into the VWs but the passat has made me feel like I did when I first got my license, its a joy to drive!

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  More room than you think - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Collin - August 7 - 10:00 am

  People think this car has nothing to offer on the outside, but all you have to do is take it for a drive and see just how much headroom you have that you wont find in other cars. Plus what is truly amazing is just how quite and and deceptively fast this car feels. Youll find yourself driving down the highway thinking you are going 70mph when in actuality you are going around 90 or more. And when it comes to a quiet ride, it is amazing. Its nice riding and quick responsive when turning or switch lanes. This car handles just like a little sports car and as such i find myself driving it that way. Take it for a test drive, you will not be disappointed at all.

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  Great deal for around $20,000 - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dannyjose - August 7 - 10:00 am

  To anyone whos thinking of buying an Audi A4 or BMW 325, you gotta try the Jetta. My VR6 has more torque and displacement thant the 325, is fully loaded with features, and costs about $10,000 less. Other than for status, I dont see why anyone would pass up the Jetta. This car is fun to drive and the VR6 has a lot of kick