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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  A lot for the money - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By alshi - May 17 - 3:58 am

  Drives well. Seats are very comfortable in front and back. Lots of headroom (a 6 footer will have several inches of headroom in the front seats). Good visibility. Lots of features for the price.

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  What fun! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By junior - May 16 - 11:30 pm

  I looked at many different cars, but found none to be more fun than the GTI. Its well built, well priced and is truly a joy to drive. The transmission is easily the best automatic that Ive ever driven and the F-1 style paddles make the manual mode fun. Its also as practical as a station wagen. In short, for the money, Im could find nothing better.

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  I love my car....but - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Phatmal - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used in 98 and loved driving it from the get go. She has a lot of spirit and really likes to be driven on the open road. Unfortunately, shes not been a cheap car to own. Most recently (last 12 months), Ive had to replace the sunroof cassette ($700), the door locks $400...they actually fell out of the car!), and the starter ($600) and had to have the vacuum system fixed ($100). Luckily I havent been stranded anywhere! Not only that but there are little things that break in the interior that are a pain. I love driving this car and am so attached to her but Im considering getting rid of her cause Im afraid of whats going to break next.

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  337 Review - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Adam337 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  9000 miles, not a single problem. This special edition is powerful, and extremely fun to drive. This is how all of those people who modify their cars wish their end result was half as nice as this. This car is well designed. It makes you feel as though you own/drive a more expensive car. The euro design is very refreshing, considering all of the poor taste -japanese cars out there now.

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  Love my Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Harmony - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Fun is the operative word. What a pleasure to drive. The interior is a little cramped, but it handles like a sports car and does have room for four. No rattles or funny noises, but have experienced small nuisances such as burnt out tail light and windshield wipers that need adjustment too often. Decent gas mileage, but it uses premium fuel. Bottom line, Id buy it again - love the car!

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  Fun and Efficient - 2013 Volkswagen Golf
  By nova_1 - May 14 - 8:19 am

  Test drove: Passat TDI, Accord, Camry Hybrid, Audi A3 TDI, Acura TL... Love Audi A3 TDI fun ride and look, but too expensive. Almost bought Golf TDI on the first test drive, but prefer to wait for 2015 Golf TDI/2014 Mazda 3. I test drove Passat TDI 2 weeks later, end up bought a 2013 Golf TDI with huge discount. No regret. After 25+yrs with Japanese mid-size sedans, very happy with my first German car. High fun factor, quick acceleration, great steering and road feel, quiet at cruising, good brakes. 36-38mpg suburb, 43-51mpg on highway. Larger/quieter/cheaper than A3 TDI, with high quality interior. Sport tires can be noisy on very coarse road. Later, have to go for a drive now.. :)

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  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By mattieo96 - May 14 - 2:43 am

  The 2004 Volkswagen R32 is a great car to drive and its built very well. You feel safe in it and you feel like it will be there for a while. I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  A VWr for Life - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By New Mommy - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I truly thought Id want a Volvo... but the VW changed my mind. After tons of research and test drives, it was a no-brainer. The wagon has lived up to its expectations and then some. It handles beautifully, has amazing pep, and the VW service cannot be beat.

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  Drvrs Wntd-bc thy lose the 1s they have - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By alwakeham - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Brake rotors are completely warped and need to be replaced after only 10,000 miles (according to VW, they were fine at the last major tuneup). Blown fuses that arent fixable by owner because VW makes it so the owner cant get to the fuses unless the entire front end is taken apart. Poor poor gas mileage!! Would rather drive an SUV is this is the mileage (15-18 mpg!!! - this sucks!). Been to three different VW dealers and have never come away completely happy

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  Nice Car, Turbo Problems - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Turbo99jetta - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, however, i have only had it a month and its been at the dealership longer than at my house. We have had turbo problems with it. They replaced the wastegate valve and yet again it went out. it seems like if u get into the car and start moving the turbo heats up and then it never comes back. Great car when its up and running I wish i wouldnt have a turbo problem. The dealership sucks, car is good