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 Pleased - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CC - December 7 - 10:06 pm

  My first VW, the 2.0T Wolfsburg is comfortable and well crafted, I feel like Im driving something costing $10k more. A very solid car, the suspension and steering are excellent. The engine delivers a satisfying rush of acceleration when you want it. DSG transmissions Sport mode changes the car from a sedate cruiser to a growling animal - lots of smiles. Trunk is huge, with fold down seats can carry lots of cargo. So far 9K miles, no troubles. Very happy all around.

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  Cable Volkswagen at its best - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By NewVWownerJosh - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Dealership was awesome. Salesman was extremely nice, John was very knowledgeable. Did everything we ever needed. The SUV is amazing! we looked all over and this one just feels and drives the best.

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  AWESOME CAR!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jim Ryan - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is most likely the greatest vehicle Ive ever purchased. The last car I owned was a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, and the Toureg beats it without any doubt. The first time I saw this car, I thought it was the Porsche Cayanne. But after test- driving both, I decided that I liked the Toureg better. Porcsche should stick to making cars... I reccomend buying this car for anyone looking for a mid size SUV under $45,000. Volkswagon has done it again!

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  Check this out. - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mrjjp - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this wagon because I was sick of paying $300.00 for gasolone. I drive a lot to the Cape and round trip is a seven hour ordeal. The VW has made life easier. Excellent mileage at 45 on a gallon of fuel, ride and comfort is unbelieveable. Plenty of power at 90 HP :) Love to drive the car too.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tdi er - December 7 - 2:00 am

  It really drives and handles well. Getting 45 mpg is awesome and going 600+ miles between fill ups is nice. The wagon surprisingly hold a lot of stuff, with the front seats of the car being roomy. 10,000 miles between maintenace is a plus.

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  ONE GREAT CAR!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By terryscott621 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car a little over a year and love it. I commute 100 miles round trip everyday, have 38,000 on the odometer and my car is doing great. Couldnt wait to start modding my car with aftermarket parts. With my additions the car is even more enjoyable. Stiffer suspension, quicker acceleration, and some interior mods make this a fun car to drive. Have had no mechanical problems accept for factory recalls.

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  Third TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bert - December 7 - 12:00 am

  This is my third VW TDI. First one was traded at 7 years 210,000+ miles, second one at 7 years 200,000 miles. No major breaks or downtime. I am not too diligent on maintenance so these have held up well with basic oil changes at 15,000+ miles. Bought 2010 TDI wagon in July 2009. Great ride as usual. My wife wont give my car back.She left me with Windstar van which we will probably replace with TDI Touareg.Are we lucky not have maintenance problems? probably but very satisfied with VW reliability and mileage over 15 years.Great car to drive on long business trips. We now supply TDI wagons to our salesmen.We make up higher initial cost with better fuel mileage.I get 38 MPG mixed and over 40 hwy

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  Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By KJ Rutherford - December 6 - 11:30 pm

  The 2006 Volkswagen GTI is great to drive, quick off the mark, finally capable of keeping up with the Opel OPC, has a smooth ride, and great comfort. You have got to love German engineering.

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  Best Green Car For Your Money and Most Fun! Loving it! - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By kickingtires1 - December 6 - 4:18 pm

  This is absolutely the best car you can get for your money! Im a car nut having had a Car and Driver subscription since I was 15. Ive owned several high end cars such as Porsche BMW Lexus and Audi I took a new job with a commute averaging 100 miles per day. I researched green cars for months and nothing compares to this vehicle, especially with the manual transmission, which transforms it into a true sport sedan. The manual transmission is smooth, effortless and precise. Gives you immediate power without the delay of the awkward automated manual (test drove both and there is no comparison). Its a must if you like having a little fun behind the wheel. The interior quality is outstanding.

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  I love it! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By annie - December 6 - 1:40 am

  Lots of pick up, great for parking, not as fuel efficient as billed, more trunk space than you would think, tight quarters in back seat - really for two people, much more fun to run errands and grocery shop, easy top to operate, good sound system, terrific heating and defrost system, seat warmers work almost too well. When you put in cd rack - no room for any storage.