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 Real Bargain - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By larmen - September 30 - 2:36 pm

  The 2007 Passat 2.0T is a very nice car. I had a Saab 9-5 and this has better build quality. It is just as much fun to drive and costs many thousands less. The car is at its best cruising at 80-85 mph. Its safe, secure and smooth at that speed. On a 900 mile trip, I got 32 mpg with the a/c going continuously. The leatherette seats are an acceptable alternative. I wish the drivers seat had full power but the power lumbar is a nice feature. Getting such niceties as a telescopic steering wheel, stability control, tire pressure monitor, sunroof, Tiptronic transmission, full instrumentation, a nicely appointed trunk, and one touch windows on all four doors makes this a real bargain.

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  I love it - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By N/A - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it has great features, performance, and comfort, and because its from Volkswagen, you know its reliable. I couldnt be happier

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  best car ever - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By robby mcie - September 30 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle has all you want in a german sports car at a very good price

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  Beaty and a Beast - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lokietek - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Awesome looks and great interior. The most comfortable ride ever and its a VW.

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  Great car! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By luka - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, nothing to complain so far!

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  The Best Car Around - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ali - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I think it is a great car all around and very fun to drive. Cops never look at it because it is a beetle.

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  SPORT WAGON WITH MPG - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By A J FICCARDI - September 30 - 2:00 am

  the 1.8 turbo packs a delightful punch while returning 31 miles per gallon. The car handles wonderfully. The best additional feature is the huge cargo area. The interior materials are completely top notch as well. Every time i drive it, I enjoy it more. Everything on the car works better than expected.

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  Awesome Ride!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tdoors69 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I was originally going to buy my Jetta with a mind to use it as a commuter vehicle. With that in mind, I was looking at the TDI as a powerplant. When I went to test drive at Frema Motors in Goldsboro, I fell in love with the VR6. Wow!!! What a ride!!! With a 6-speed manual transmission and 200 ponies under the hood......well lets just say it was an unbelievable experience. The ride was road hugging with the sports suspension, with plenty of acceleration for needed get up and go!!! Simply stated, it was the best experience overall I have ever had on a test drive! Two thumbs up for the GLI VR6 Jetta!!!!!!!!!

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  Lucky me, I got the last 2001!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Kevin Ryan - September 29 - 6:06 pm

  I just got the GTI and I am THRILLED. I traded in my 1999 Dodge Intrepid for it. This is faster than my 200hp intrepid, and handles like a little porsche. I put about 400 miles on it since I got it Friday. Its monday as I write this.

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  JSW 2.5L S - A great deal on a solid car. - 2013 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By interactive3 - September 29 - 2:27 pm

  I prefer a manual transmission so I had to get the base S model. (No sunroof, No chrome around the side windows) Previous car: Audi A4 Avant Quattro 1.8T. I had to give up AWD and auto climate control :( The Sportwagen build quality is not quite a clean, there is some sub par assembly of a few interior pieces. After 1 week Im very happy with the car. Brakes, engine, transmission and clutch/shifting are all strong points. The construction feels solid. Handling good. Suspension good. 4th and 5th gear are tall, lowering the RPMs. The 5 cylinder engine is smooth and up to the task. FYI - It feels like the car has a large flywheel. The engine is slow to rev and decelerate.