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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  2006 VW Jetta - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta owner - July 3 - 7:16 pm

  The Jetta has good build quality. The interior is top notch. I was amazed at what all you get for the price. It has lots of airbags and all the other safety items. The engine is really smooth, maybe too smooth. I stalled out many many times when we first got it trying to start out with the five speed. The clutch has really no feel to it. Also, the engine could use more power.

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  Lemonade - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By andrew - July 2 - 7:40 am

  Love to drive the car. But you got to be kidding me with all the repairs. Bought with 60ish thousand miles. Added a custom intake, and sway bar for some fun in the corners. New wheels and tires. Somewhere in 70k the transmission went out. I just passed 118k and the transmission went out again. Replaced leaking radiator, head gaskets, cam adjuster seals, tail lights going out randomly and often (sometimes every couple days). Thats just off the top of the head. All i can say is buy the warranty. Mines paid for itself 3 times at least.

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  Overall, Very Happy with the Sportwagen TDI - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By sylvania3 - June 30 - 3:24 pm

  I spend lots of time researching and test driving cars, as I am a Mechanical Engineer. It was thus not without lots of contemplation that I purchased a 2011 Sportwagen TDI to replace my 10 year old trusty Honda CRV with 170K miles. Overall, I am happy. Some things are better than I expected, while there are a few minor things that are areas for improvement. This car comes into its own on long highway trips, where it seems most efficient, and has a solid controlled feel to it. With all the torque from the diesel, the DSG rarely needs to downshift and pulls upgrade hills at 1700rpm like a tractor (the honda by comparison on same roads downshift and wines at 4000rpm)

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  Not Bad, but I Wont Buy One Again - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Joel Ogden - June 29 - 11:33 pm

  This cars engine has been great. With the manual transmission, I can often get up to 34-35 mpg over longer trips. I have never had any problems with the A/C. The problem is with the electrical system and with oil changes. The stereo cuts in and out (regardless of whether the radio, CD or tape deck is being used), and the dealership doesnt know how to fix it. Oil changes are difficult - Jiffy Lube wont work on my car. There is a skid plate on the bottom that has to be removed prior to changing the oil. Three separate times the skid plate has come undone after a routine oil change (and usually at a speed of 65 mph). The dealership isnt a quick choice for oil changes, and always pushes $1,300 of work.

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  First Diesel - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kbadger - June 28 - 11:23 am

  I picked up my new TDI Loyalty Edition last week after waiting about 2 months for it and have driven it about 350 miles so far and I absolutely love the handling and torque. So far I am doubtful that I will see the 45+ mpg I was hoping for, unless it improves after it is broken in. I have been avg about 35 mpg combo city/hwy. I have been driving a little aggressively, so maybe there is some upside. I do like the car and it handle very well for a sedan. Great value and economy. Heres hoping for better mileage!

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  Still a loyal VW owner - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By matt - June 27 - 10:23 pm

  Not as impressed with my fourth VW as with past ones. It is more generic than the quirky VWs of the past. Great gas mileage. Interior quality is poor but have not had much mechanical trouble. It has 124,000 and still running great.

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  Solid Value - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ellis_Island - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Jetta 1.8T for about 2 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a smooth, comfortable ride, responsive handling, attractive styling, excellent efficiency for the power output, and attractive styling for a relatively low price. The Audi components under the hood make I feel Ive got a base A4.

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  A sedan with performance - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By lobowil - June 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my seventh vw,all I can say is that I really enjoy my vws. The car is great to drive, you can hug corners,quick acc. great when turbo kicks in..a performance sedan.. And dont be afraid to run it, takes rpms up to 5 without any hesitation. Has a great look..(with size 18 tires), great value of a car for what you get.....

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  My First Volkswagen - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brad Lucas - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Always drove 4x4 trucks until I test drove the Passat. Needless to say, I drove it off the lot that same day. Handles great in ALL weather conditions. Very comfortable after long trips and has the power you need when you need it.

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  Cant go wrong - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By trig - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Considering we got our 2003 Passat for 16500 (with 14000 miles), and new it cost 24500, I cant complain. For the money(16500), I am very pleased with it. Quality fit and finish is excellent, this coming from a former- Lexus owner. Ride is very european- like, which I love. The only knock is price/performance. Dont get me wrong, 170 horses from a 1.8 is very respectsble, but the car is too heavy to make it work. And springing for the v-6 isnt worth it (displacement goes up to 2.8, and only gains 20-30 horses). I hope the price stays the same, and power goes up, or this may be the last passat I own, at least for awhile.