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 Bad Deal - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ron - May 13 - 5:36 am

  I loved my VW Beetle, right up until the roof started leaking and ruined the leather seats and headliner. VW says its not thier fault the drain line plugged up. Unfortunately there is no way to know when it is plugged up, nor can I service it. I asked the dealer he said he had a dozen VWs sitting out back with the same problem. I asked him how the ones out front "FOR SALE" are kept from leaking. He said, sinple "We just dont drive them and never open the windows." Volkswagen of America has claimed again and again that this is not their fault. I definitely will never buy another VW.

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  Shame on You VW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Dave - May 10 - 12:20 am

  We have had many problems with our Touareg. We did not even make it home from the dealer before we had to turn around to have things fixed! The tire PSI computer is junk and it is the source of many dealership visits, the drivers seat had to be rewired, the rear seatbelt recall is a joke, it requires the dealer to install silver metal plates on the rear belts that are visible, that rattle around when driving and scratch the plastic interior. This is not something that I expect to have on a $50,000+ VW! The tires need to be replaced at 28,000 miles on a truck that my wife drives to and from work? I would never recommend this car to anybody and would strongly recommend that they look at a different vehicle. Shame on you VW

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  To many defaults! VW is garbage! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By deesingh84 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I foolishly bought this vehicle in 06. The sporty black on black look sold me instantly. 30 days after purchasing the jetta the water pump, electrical & sunroof messed up! Ive prob invested over $4k since & counting? Vw is very expensive to fix & just for a side mirror to be replaced at vw was $954! My recall for the sunroof wasnt even accepted! This car has been a nightmare! The sunroof leaks, the waterpump went bad, there is no leg room for back seat passangers & for Goodness sake why is the cup holders above the radio? I cant see the station nor put in a cd without removing the drinks & water from my cups leak over the radio & into my cash tray. Finding rims to fit is challanging also

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  Kind Of Stinks - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MS760 - May 1 - 3:23 am

  I bought this car used about a couple weeks ago. Im starting to notice a few things. Firstly the horrible crayola smell! Its such a strong nasty odor that gives me headaches when i drive. Found out i need to remove sound deadening material under carpet to eliminate the smell. Its shifting is jerky. A belt in the motor squeaks loud so i replaced it but continues to make noise, was told its something more pricier to fix. Steering wheel is hard to turn. Car struggles when going up hills, transmission gets loud. Shocks squeak loud. Purchased car because it was the most decent one available at car dealership. Regret buying this car. Will definitely stick to hondas after paying off this car.

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  Dont waiste your time!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brianpoo - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Its always in the shop.

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  Dont want my wife driving this one.. - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sellingmyvw - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this 02 Wagon about 6 months ago and have put about 16000 miles on her since then. Not really what I had expected. The temperature light comes on all the time. The doors froze shut in the winter and the 20 mpg on the highway is killing me. I went to fold down the back seats today and the bottom part of the back seats hits the front seats. Ya have to be pretty small to drive and have the seats down at the same time. Overall...not a very good car.

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  Bad Bug - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By pwlowe61 - April 24 - 3:46 pm

  I guess the review will not help individuals who have already bought the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. The car was a snap orange and have a good overall appearence. This car sat in the shop 19 of the first 24 months of ownership. I couldnt keep the electronics,transmission, turbo and anything else working. The last 2 years and $2300.00 of maintenance cost finally sealed its fate. 1100 for Timing belt change,450 for door latch which shut the car down in the middle of a 4 lane highway. 600 for alternator and whatever else it needed. I would run away from this car and I will never own a VW again. They look good, but are expensive to maintain.

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  DONT BUY A JETTA!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AMANDA - April 20 - 10:00 am

  MY CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE!!! CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND VOLKSWAGONS CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS, THEY ARE WILLING TO NOTHING, I PUT OVER $1500 IN PARTS INTO IT IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS SO IT WOULD STOP STALLING...NICE, HUH?

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  Not worth the money. - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Johnson1 - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Pros : Overall driving performance ok. Accerlation, cornering, cruising speed, stopping all ok. Cons : Overall reliability below par. Wind noise loud, glove compartment arm broke, front passenger power window broke, drivers side window leaking (rain) when closed completely, beverage holder broke. There are better cars out there for the same or less price. I would never buy a Volkswagen again

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  dont buy one new or used - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sadly VWed - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My first lemon. Trim peeled off the back and front door. In 8 months never fixed by dealer. 2 power window openers failed. Must pound on dash to get lights for heat to work. Wont start in the rain. Needs new computer at $500 which should be a recall. Cylinders constantly misfiring. Replaced most of electric system, the wires, coils, etc. Keys to doors break. Bushings in front end degrade. Dealers arrogant expensive and incompetent. Heat sheild is rattling. All of this in the first 50,000 miles. I am selling mine for $9000. Im going to buy a five year old Camry and take the loss.