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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  1st 1,000 miles and still loving it - 2016 Volkswagen Golf
  By Frank Bones - August 28 - 6:06 pm

  Very happy with my Golf. It wasnt my top choice but with mfg rebates the price was to good to pass up. Car handling is great and I appreciate the interior and how quiet the car is. Only regret so far is I didnt get sunroof. As I live in the northeast Im curios to see how it handles in the snow.

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  great car - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By honky - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Handles like a dream, deffinetly dont miss the spooling turbo of my 1.8t...VR6 3.2 more then makes up for it. All around beautiful car

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  The BEST - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By just an average guy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  After you fit yourself into the R32, you are one. The performance is incredible, the styling is immaculate, and the comfort is unparelled. The only view anyone will have of you is you rear bumper. There wont be enough time to get your licence plate number. Happy driving.

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  Excellent Peoples Car - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By E Medina - August 28 - 10:00 am

  There is a lot of reading and getting used to. The transmission is unbelievable with 6 gears and auto or standard shifting. The car is solid and perfect body work and the motor is powerful. Interior is perfect and the dash lights at night are Blue and Red for easy reading. Headlights are excellent with high intensity the brakes are excellent the best yet. There is some residue on the wheels from brake dust but a good washing will fix that. Im very satisfied and so is the wife.

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  2004 V8 Toureg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By spskcmo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We test drove a Porsche Cayenne in March 2003. It was a good compromise for my husbands dream car and the practicality of a growing family. However, we knew the Toureg would be released soon. We are glad we did because we virtually have the same car as a Cayenne S for $20,000 less! My husband still has a Porsche on his dream car list -- just now hes back to a car for mom & dad someday. . . .

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  OIL CONSUMER - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Amandarbaker - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle requires a lot of oil. Remember to check the oil frequently. Also when your battery dies they are more expenseive than a normal battery so be prepared. Oh and the breaks, yeah good luck, only the Volkswagon dealtership sells them. In the long run this car will cost a lot of money.

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  I LOVE my Jetta!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RaceGirl - August 28 - 10:00 am

  So far my experiece with this car has been awesome! I come from driving a 02 Saturn, which did not give me the value in return for the care put into it. The Jetta gives the features I want and all the power I could want. Once I start driving I dont feel like getting out. The drive on it almost feels like a V6 even though its not, the drivers side is very roomy and provides plenty of comfort. Overall, from the day I walked onto the VW lot until now I have had nothing short than a great experience!!

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  The Little Car That Could - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SabsNJ - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Jetta. Ever since my 1st Jetta was totaled when an idiot ran a stop sign (Yet not a scratch on me!!), I couldnt wait until I could afford a brand new Jetta. The 1.8 Turbo is the perfect size for this car. The pickup is great, the brakes and steering are nice and tight. The shifting is smooth. Spacious trunk. The sport seats give you a nice snug fit. Great for long distance rides. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

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  My faithful Steed - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By meistering - August 27 - 4:06 pm

  You always see the cowboys with their horses riding off into whatever the next adventure may be. The horse, of course, is more than a horse...of course, of course. It is their faithful steed--a loyal companion. That is what my GTI is--my partner of the road. The car has gone with me from as close as the grocery store, to as far as the other side of the country. It has seen blizzard, rain, sunshine, drought, you name it. My car does everything I would ever ask, and not once has it broken my wallet or told me "no, thats too much." The next adventure is always around the corner, or just less than 6 seconds away.

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  Fun car for the money, but you get what you pay for - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By mheisey - August 27 - 9:24 am

  I bought this car brand new in October 2014. A few positives are that it is surprisingly quick considering it is the base model. It handles fairly well and the touch screen interface is the best I have ever used. I love the exterior design of this car and the subtle interior styling is very nice as well. I have gotten better than rated mileage. up to 41hwy. Now, the not so great things I have noticed. Right away I realized the engine mounts are crap. They are too soft to handle firm shifts. At 2,000 miles it developed a hefty crunch when put in reverse. The throttle is very sensitive and takes getting used to. Right now at 11,000 miles I am ready to trade it in.