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 really nice car. - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By hsm - October 19 - 8:53 pm

  This car is fun to drive, safe, and well built. Handles wonderfully on the highway or around town. Tiptronic is a unique and useful feature, especially in snow. Traded in an 03 GL and 04 GLS. Both nice cars. This vehicle is more comfortable and roomy. Interior takes some time to appreciate. Old style was simple and clean looking.

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  Phaeton W12 - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By macknatt - October 19 - 7:23 pm

  Arguably the best car made. Unfortunately the brand is too inhibitive for its success. People, who do their research and are not stuck on brand image, would have a very difficult time to buy anything else. Workmanship, and attention to detail is better than Lexus, or S- Class. The exterior is the only weak element, as it is rather plain. But in my case I am glad to go anywhere "in cognito". Otherwise, the road manners are second to none. The car is glued to the road, the ride is comfortable and there is always plenty of smooth power. The interior is quite as can be, and the wood and dash with the "indirect" climate system is fantastic. You can literally hear the pin drop at 80 mph.

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  TDI lives up to billing - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LovinTDI - October 19 - 5:53 pm

  We have owned our YDI Jetta for 2 months and have nothing but great things to say about it. The mileage has been 42 MPG average with about 60/40 highway/city driving. Neither my wife or I really try too hard with the mileage so I feel that those are good numbers. The car itself is very comfortable and has many creature comforts not seen in other "Fuel Misers". We went through Costco Auto Buying Program which was very stress free and we got dealer invoice which with the $1300 tax credit is less then a similarly equipped Prius and no batteries to worry about down the road. We are x3 VW owners and have had good lluck with the reliability so well see in a few years and 100000 mi.

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  Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By L. Bruce - October 18 - 5:36 pm

  I just bought my VW Beetle for my 120 mile round trip to work each day. It is already paying for itself. It provides great performance, fuel economy, and styling. The back seat is cramped but the front seats are very comfy. I got it with a 100,000 warranty, I will probably do that many miles in it in two years, and will then rate this vehicle again. So far, I love it! I plan to do 40,000 miles a year. This is the car for it.

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  This Car Rocks - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Peter Mastrangelo - October 18 - 2:33 pm

  Having owned a 2002 4Motion I decided to try the newly designed Passat when my lease expired. Also in the equation was the new Toyota Avalon and the Lincoln Zephyr. The Avalon is beautifully done but a bit too floaty and isolated for me. The Lincoln is nice but my preconceived notions about Lincoln as being stodgy got in the way. It is a nice car...but oh that new 3.6L Passat! The interior is the best Ive seen, BMW look out. The seats are comfotable and the handling is precise. The new electomechanical steering is a blast to feel since it is stiff at speed but the wheel turns easily at low speed. The mettallic black finish and ten spoke alloy wheels make it stand out in any crowd.

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  No Contest - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Wisconsin- - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We looked at Civics,Corollas,Protoges and then we found a car worth driving. We didnt feel like the Golf GLS was an economy car. Its interior is far superior, options are plentiful, and looks are stylish. The ride is great, handling is agile, the inside mimicks a Passat, and for about $14400 we got moonroof, premium stereo,ABS, alloy wheels, heated seats, 4.9% and a 2yr/24000.

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  VW New Passat GLS V6 - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By jbaril - October 18 - 2:00 am

  good car; far more interesting and attractive than Accord, Camry, Hyundai. Probably just as good as Audi A4, but less expensive.

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  GLX Wagen - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tubs - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Since bought as demo with 4k, front roters have been replaced, cupholder non-functional, power roof adjusted, then would not close completely, and the transmission is absolutely horrible, in that it upshifts too quickly when starting from a stop, then downshifts abruptly just to keep up a moderate acceleration. During this, the RPM jumps back and forth from 1500 to over 3k. Dealer has told me twice that the tranny is normal, but in over 500,000 miles and a lot of vehicles, I have never driven such a strange transmission. Next is to the VW rep, I guess, or lemon suit.

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  Sick ride - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 1919-eternal - October 17 - 8:10 pm

  I bought my Jetta in October, and I love it. Theres not one thing that I dislike on it. It handles great, and has pretty decent power for just being a 4 cylinder.

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  TDI Jetta, family, work equal fun - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gary - October 17 - 5:23 pm

  When my 91 Olds 98 decided to go to greener fields after 233,000 miles, it forced me to consider another vehicle. I drove the Honda Civic and attempted to drive a new Toyota Hybrid, none were available, thankfully. We have had the new TDI for 10 days now, I must say it has been a pleasure to drive. It drives well at high speeds. Around town the most difficult part of driving is keeping within the speed limit. Its styling is mostly European, it has excellent build quality, and a cool diesel sound (the Harley of cars?). Over my first 1,000 miles, I averaged 36.26 mpg. I only wish this car came in hatchback.