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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  Best of the Best - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Woody - January 5 - 4:46 pm

  I have owned this car for only 4 months and I must say I have not driven a better car. I have had over 12 new cars over the years medium to high end and the CC is by far the best I have ever driven. The power is great and the handling is better then the BMWs I have owned. I look forward to driving this car every morning I go to work. As you can see I am very happy with my purchase and I will lease another one when the lease it up...

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  A lot of car for the money - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chuck - January 5 - 8:43 am

  VW hit a homerun with their new Passat. Im surprised to see so many so-so reviews on the internets and in the newspapers. This car is amazing. Ive driven cars of all different engineering, but this is my first with what Germany has to offer. I was a huge fan of Japanese engineering but after driving this car I now understand the rave about German engineering. Everything in the car has a sturdy feel and a innovative look. There are so many small touches that make this car stand out from his competitors. The engine has the widest torque band of I have ever seen and I get 37mpg on the hwy.

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  Driver you want? Driver you got! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By nealk99 - January 5 - 4:43 am

  This is really an amazing car. The design, especially interior, is a step above any other car out there. It feels much more expensive than it actually is. The size is what really sold me. In order to get a car of the same size and features (volvo, saab, mercedes, audi, etc) you will pay at least 10k more. I have driven this car across country twice and it is a fabulous road car. Great driving position, everything within reach and intuitive. It has a smooth but responsive road feel. This thing just cruises! Negatives? electrical system, expensive wipers

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  2007 Volkswagen GTI - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jason - January 5 - 2:06 am

  Great car! I take the long way to work every day for an awesome drive.

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  2.0T Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brett - January 4 - 1:13 pm

  The Passat is likely the best value of 2006 sedans; the car is incredibly fun-to-drive, has excellent performance for a 4-cyl, and the highway mileage (at 80 mph) is approximately 30 mpg. The ride is very smooth, even at speeds above 100 mph and the handling is comparable to an Audi A6 (same platform) or a BMW 5-Series, all at a fraction of the price. The 8-speaker sound system is very high-quality and the XM satellite radio option is also superb.

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  97 Jetta GT - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VwDude00 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new and I have enjoyed it very much. I have had no problems mechanically. Ive had problems with the quirky stock alarm system. The adhesive on the door trim tends to weaken after a few years other than that I am very pleased. It looks as good as the first day I drove it home.

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  Before you buy that Honda or Nissan... - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By RoyB34 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car for the money! Test-drive a VW, and then try the rest. You will find yourself under-whelmed by the JPN manufactures. The Golf is quick, handles like a dream, has awesome stopping power, a ton of safety features, and a high resale value. Not to mention its tall person friendly. If you’re over 6’1” you don’t need to buy the optional shoehorn to get in and out of the car. Before you buy another Honda or Toyota test-drive the Golf.

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  Glued To The Road - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Willard - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I originally wanted an Audi A6 but one drive in the Passat and a look at the lower price there was no way that I could consider anything else. This car out shines anything from the asian manufacturers, not even close. No wonder consumer reports rated it the number one car in America. You must drive this car and experience the glued to the road feeling.

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  GREAT IS THE ONLY WORD TO USE - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Sullymfmdoc - January 3 - 10:16 pm

  I have owned a load of SUVs and this one is the best. Fun to drive, safe, although not greatest at the pump, this car will impress you as well as thrill you. Drive it to believe.

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  i love my jetta! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By aubry - January 2 - 10:00 am

  this is my first car ive bought. It was prviously owned and taken care of very well. Its a vr6 model, wich is faster than a regular gl jetta series, but this vehichle is very reliable. Gas milage is impecable and i have had NO problems what so ever with this car. And it is so much fun to drive!