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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  Very Disappointed - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Disappointed - May 14 - 1:23 am

  I bought my VW Jetta new in 2001. Its beautiful and fun to drive, but NOT RELIABLE! I have been in the shop many, many times in the almost 6 years I have had it. Electrical problems, power window problems, console and seat breaking easily. The repairs werent extremely costly, but MANY! Its too bad such a nice and attractive car has been such a pain when it comes to repairs. I am going to trade it in for something else. I am tired of seeing my VW repair guy.

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  3rd VW - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By JGa - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd VW that I have owned and it is the best. I also own a Lexus and a Acura so I think I have a good comparison in the quality department. I had looked at BMW but for the price this GTI is better, even than most cars at 50% higher price maybe even double the price. Quality is online with Acura but not as good as my Lexus. The ride is very comfortable. I am very happy with the car

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  Quality Issues Galore! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Unhappy in Houston - May 11 - 2:00 am

  My 99 Passat needed new brakes at 35,000 miles, the driver turn light assembly fell off (while driving 70 mph on the freeway)at 34,000 miles, the passenger side boot failed at 30,000 miles and was replaced by VW under warranty, at 36,000 mi. the driver side boot has failed and VW says is not part of the drive train, therefore not covered under the 100,000 miles warranty! We have owned cars for 20 years with fewer repairs!!

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  Good transportation - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By adermard - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Two major components needed to be replaced (clutch and cruise control) but otherwise mostly minor things have broken. Its small, fun to drive, holds things alright with the seat folded down. Comfortable on the highway and gets an unbelievable 44+ mpg at 90mph, 49 at normal speeds. Enough power, it feels equally as fast as a standard beetle. Interior is funky, you either like it or you dont. Everything was easily replaired but this is the list of things that have broken: mirror adjuster broke off, window switches, center console latch, the drivers window (warranty)

• 

  Great.....at the begining - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Aryn - May 9 - 12:26 am

  At first I loved my bug, and now I still love the way it looks. I havent had any major mechanical problems, but my headlights went out and I took it to Tires Plus and they had the hardest time trying to put new headlights in and didnt get them fixed the first time so I had to go twice. I also have never had all of my break lights work, even 10 minutes after they are replaced. The trunk release has not worked since I bought it. And I cant go over 60 without it reving to 3,000 rpm. So gas milage isnt what you would expect. The worst thing is the cost of maintenance! But after a year and a half I am still attached, that must say something.

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  Nice Boring SUV - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By OCNJ19 - May 6 - 5:46 pm

  I liked this car a lot. The ride was great, very comfortable and a ton of features. My first choice at the time was the x5 but it just came out and it was extremely expensive. I got it all decked out fully loaded nav, rear view camera, better leather, folding mirrors, power steering wheel. I really liked the information display in between the tachometer and speedometer. it gave me a ton of info about my vehicle. Although i liked the car i felt the steering was too loose meaning i had to turn hard to turn especially at low speeds. I also though the design was boring even the rims were boring. I didnt have any technical issues with the vehicle. I just purchased a x5 and its even better

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  fun sporty car - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By pdl - May 6 - 10:00 am

  my lease is almost up and I am definitely going to buy it out. I havent had any problems with it yet, for it is still driving like it did when I bought it back in 2000.

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  Disappointing - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By whiskey - May 6 - 10:00 am

  9,000 mi. car has been in shop more than 14 times. CD, NAV, constant problem with warning lights, rear lift keeps opening for no reason. Most dangerous is when driving from 1 thru 2nd car goes to neutral so you are turning into intersection and car does nothing. How many visits. VOA sent me to "Best" dlr. in area - clueless. Buy 2 cars year, never complained about the usual. This truck just has so many and nobody seems to care.

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  super car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By marcko24 - May 6 - 1:19 am

  i think it should cost more than actually cost, very fast car, nice outside looking, all the luxury you can ask for, more than most of beemers, but............too much time in workshop,

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  Disaster - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By frank forintos - May 5 - 12:46 pm

  I grew up in Europe and all i heard while growing up that German cars are great. May be they were 20 years ago, but not nowadays. I lost all my confidence. I had problems with my ignition coils 4 times. They replaced them 4 times. Finally VW did a recall on it. I had several other issues with the car. Now my car is 6 years old, and i had it with this car. I am purchasing a Japanese car a Nissan Altima this week. Germans are not building cars the way they used to!!! What can i say i am very disappointed. I spent 3000 dollars on repair this year already.