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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  Fun to Drive a Atick Again - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Don - December 6 - 11:13 pm

  The New Jetta is fun to drive. It handles best at highway speeds. Its handling is very stable. It feels good going fast. The Electronic Stability System saved me from losing control once when I was cut off by another driver changing lanes. I wish people would get out of the fast lane so I could have a ticket to fly.

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  High-End Utilitarian Simplicity - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Happa - December 6 - 7:46 am

  I picked up a 2009 SEL with Nav and the panoramic roof and I love it. After years of driving "luxory" AWD vehicles I was looking to simplify ... but didnt want to sacrifice the quality I had grown accustomed to. The SEL Tig was a perfect fit ... simple interior but top notch quality (no cheap plastic dashboards here), comfortable, tight as a drum, good Nav, incredible sunroof, and no real lack of "toys" (bluetooth, backup camera, etc.). I have driven Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti (my last three vehiles in that order) ... and I am VERY happy to be driving the Tiguan now.

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  Typical German Car - Driver Oriented - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tom - December 6 - 1:10 am

  As typical of German cars, the Passat is fun to drive. The 2.0T is quick and responsive. The variable mechanical assist steering is a plus - the car is highly maneuverable in the parking deck (great turning radius) but stable and tight at highway speeds where you feel connected to the road. I think the jury is still out on the FOB ignition key. Why not have a RF system with push button ignition and door unlocking sensing? I like the driver’s side glove box and other storage bins. As luck would have it I test drove the car in pouring rain and found the driver’s door umbrella required me to get wet to pull it out with the door swung open.

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  Powerful diesel car - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By timm333 - December 5 - 2:55 pm

  Well this was my first time buying a new car, so I thought I would get what I wanted. I knew I wanted a diesel and the Jetta had all the other features that I wanted too. I bought the car on July 5th, 2011 and in the three months I have owned it I have already put 10,265 miles on it. I figured I might as well break it in while it is still on a warrenty. The engine puts out a lot of torque for its size. The 6m tranny is nice and you can get going fast pretty quick. I have only had the car up to 90mph and it handles pretty good at that speed (all though I dont drive it like that for long). I get more than the advertised 30pmg in town and have hit 50mpg on the highway.

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  Lemon of all Lemons - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By DanH8VW - December 5 - 1:10 pm

  Just a warning just dont do VW. I absolutely hate this car, because of poor service and reliability. I dont go anywhere for fear it will break down again. VW service is horrible. I have a door that has never opened, just not safe. I have needed CV boots since the day after I bought the car. This car was a replacement for my 2002 Jetta, which was a death trap. I fear for my safety in this car. I have leaked every fluid since it was new. Dealers and VW state meets specification. I wonder should they be prosecuted for theft. I have paid more in maintenance and repairs than what the car cost. Ontario VW wants $2800 for each CV boot replacement, more than its worth.

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  Good car for good price - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Joost - December 5 - 5:43 am

  We were going to pick up a Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup truck and saw the new Passat on the other side of the dealership (same dealer). After our test drive we were sold! We love the car with the heated seats and the moonroof. At night the dash looks very cool with the red and blue allumination. And the cars handling is great too!

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  VW Beetle Convertible - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jeffrey - December 4 - 4:36 pm

  Great car to drive! Lots of fun. Mechanical problems with the electric roof have been a bit frustrating. Overall a great car for the money.

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  2013 Touareg TDI 500 miles! - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 2013vwtdi - December 4 - 6:14 am

  Folks, I just completed 500 miles on my new Touareg TDI and i am very impressed by the drive and handling of this vehicle. I have driven BMW X5 and even though the steering feel is lighter than on the X5, this one handles great. I did not expect this from VW. Just cover the VW batch, you feel you are in a Audi and any other German Vehicle. Layout is neat and clean. interior is plush and very comfortable driver position. I am counting that new vehicles have better reliability from VW, i will have to wait and see.

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  Beware VW Fans!!!! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By iblackwell - December 3 - 11:25 pm

  After owning VWs for years this will be my last. I actually traded the Passat today for a BMW and I couldnt be more relieved. The problems and repairs have been unending from the start. Under 3 mo. old, the sunroof leaked and all of the carpet had to be replaced, I have replaced (3) Front axles, a valve cover gasket, numerous sensors, the thermastat, (3) window regulators, motor mounts, Both headlights because they turned white after three years and wouldnt pass inspection. I even had to replace the antenna and the oil dip stick because they fell apart. Lastly the interior trim peeled off (VW sprays a coating over plastic - ???) All this at 75000 miles! The services every 5K are COSTLY!

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  Avaoid if possible - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ron_dg - December 3 - 4:00 pm

  Pros: - superb fuel economy; beats by far any hybrid - pretty powerfull engine for a 1.9 liter - a lot of extras from dual power seats to leather - roomy inside despite apparences Cons: - feels like a cheap car after 1-2 years - plastiky... - tapistry falls apart in less than 1 year - twice ! - real bad mechanics ( 3 automatic transmissions changed in 4 years ) - at about 68 k miles, need to add oil even between oil changes. - engine start loosing power after 3 years; could not diagnostic the issue even after a computer upgrade; Bottom line, a fun car to drive while it works. When the mechanics and the technicians at the dealership knows you by name when you pull in, is bad...