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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  Dont Buy the Navigation System - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By fherb - April 16 - 11:56 pm

  My 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 is what I expected except for the navigation system. The navagation system is inferior to others on the market. As an $1800.00 option it doesnt offer much. It provides very little road detail (like road names). In most areas roads dont even appear on the screen. I have a GARMIN IQue 3600 (a $600.00 portable unit) that can run circles around the VW unit for reliability and accuracy. If your going to spend an additional $1800.00 on your new VW get $1200.00 worth of accessories and spend the other $600.00 on a GARMIN IQue 3600. VW did replace the system. The new one is no better than the old. Dealer says "thats as good as they get." Also, my cars engine is noisy when started. It sounds like it needs oil.

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  Awesome Car - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Matts - April 16 - 9:26 pm

  We got this TDI last month it is a great car. It is put together well, the engine pulls hard. We havent broken the engine in all the way yet and weve been getting 35-41 mpg mixed. Everything on the dash is laid out nicely, easy to reach.

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  Still Smooth Sailing After 5+ Years - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jasonpdx - April 16 - 8:05 am

  My 2009 TDI SE has treated me very well for over five years and 70K, and I am still happy with it. The build quality on this generation is really, really good (unlike the dumbed down start to the next gen after): the interior is premium and the exterior is quietly upscale and distinctive in a good way. Having heard from some about VWs prior reliability problems when I bought it, I wondered whether Id be in for some unexpected bumps in upkeep. But this car has been 100% reliable, with no time in the shop except for the regular maintenance, a new set of tires, and (just recently at 70K) a new pair of rear brake pads. And I still get about 43 highway and low 30s city MPG-- above EPA.

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  50,000 mile review for 2010 TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By amyalternate - April 16 - 3:27 am

  Ive owned the TDI for 50,000 miles and I have had no problems. The car gets better than 42 mpgs as I drive between 55 and 60. I bought my car on July 30th, the last day of the government $1,200 tax rebate scheme, and the car was manufactured in May, so any early production bugs were probably all worked out. I want to keep the car for another 200,000 miles, let us see how that goes.

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  YEAHA! Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rae - April 15 - 10:00 am

  this car is awsome, i used to own a accord, but traded up to a jetta, it was well worth it

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  Jetta 1.9 diesel still Rocks! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ManateJim - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Jetta sedan and wagon versions with 1.9 diesel Turbo-Direct-Injection, yield 42 mpg in town with smooth 5 overdrive manual shift. Leather package, definate plus.

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  Best Small Car in the World - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By Peter Wechsler - April 14 - 11:23 am

  I am the #1 fan of VW/Audi vehicles and have owned both brands for years. They both make world class vehicles. VW has hit a home run with the R32. I just took possession of the car and the driving experience is incredible. It has all the safety option you need: ABS, AWD, 6 airbags, ESP, seat belt pretensioners, and the list goes on and on. The build and quality in unsurpassed. The AWD and the VR rated tires make this a great handling car. The interior is plush and well thought out. Although I would have like to see 300 hp, the 250 hp V6 engine is sufficient, unless you are racing the car. The car is rock solid throughout. i opted for the car without navigation.

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  2008 Passat Wagon - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By mulfomi2 - April 13 - 6:36 am

  Great car so far but its only been a week. My wife is the primary driver and loves it over her minivan. It is sportier than my 2001.5 Passat. Interior is nicely done. Kids love the sun shades.

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  Follow Up - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By mbehn - April 13 - 2:03 am

  Follow up to review last year. Car is not 2+ years old with 39K Miles. Runs beautifully, with one recall for a switch, one service for a loose A/C condensation hose - both free of charge. Still as tight and sweet as when purchased, and the Perellis are still in great shape. So far, so good!

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  VW Golf - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Hanan Sibirsky - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th VW and third Golf. They have always given goood service.