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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  Good, comfortable, fun car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By rarmor - July 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is alot of fun to drive. It handles very well while delivering a comfortable ride. The heated seats/mirrors are great now that winter has arrived. There is plenty of room and the interior is very well designed. I have only owned the car for 4 months but it feels very solid and well-built. The gas mileage is only average, however.

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  So nice, so fun, lokks so good - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chrisk84 - July 29 - 1:03 am

  This is THE BEST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. It is quick, comfortable, easily seats a family of five, and drives just as good as a Mercedes-Benz. My next car is certianly to be a VW. The warranty is excellent, my dealer has good follow up for services.

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  Best Buy!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By avidfan4 - July 28 - 6:33 pm

  My husband and I traded in a 1996 Honda Accord for this car and I cannot think of a single complaint. It has a very smooth ride, gets excellent gas millage, and ours has so many wonderful features. We havent had to any maintenance besides oil changes. Its braking system can handle the slippery winter roads like a pro. It handles extremely well, I would be completely comfortable racing this car in a NASCAR setting. VWs are worth the money you spend for them, I dont think I will be getting another car until my kids go to college...and I dont even have kids yet!

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  Fun to Drive! - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Igloo - July 28 - 3:56 pm

  I shopped around and drove everything. I compared the Mazda3, Chevy Cobalt SS, Honda Civic, Chrysler 300, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy...you name it. Finally, I tried the Rabbit. Its such a fun car to drive! The stereo is excellent. The handling is incredibly precise (you feel like you could drive around cones all day!), they offer you tons of features. It even has heated cloth seats and heated side mirrors! Plus it has A/C vents for the rear seats (very cool) and traction control! I am shocked that our new Rabbit (150hp) is even faster than out V6 Ford Escape (220hp V6). This is a huge improvement over the Golf. If youre considering a Mazda3 or a Civic, give this a try, you wont regret it!

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  Best car Ive owned - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By john Berthelot - July 28 - 12:50 am

  I was looking for a car for traveling back and forth to Florida and one that gets good fuel miliage. I have had a place for about the last four years in Delray FL which is 1,150 miles from my New Jersey home. I had a Mercedes 500 which by the way was a beautiful handling car. I watched SUVs back and forth and was considerating getting the Mercedes SUV. I researched the gas milage and price and decided not to buy it. Years ago I had a diesel VW pickup that I ran to death and got great gas milage. I looked up on the net the features and price of the new VWs and bought one.

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  Fine, Fine Automobile. - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Goodman - July 27 - 11:56 am

  I am startled by reports about the Audi A6 wagon being the superior machine to the Passat Wagon. In fact, the entire VW Passat wagon, except for the cast iron engine block and lovely design is not similar to, but actually identical in every respect to the Audi. The Audi service manager told me that. So take a tip and think of the Passat to save yourself thousands of dollars.

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  I love my VW - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Miko - July 26 - 12:50 pm

  I bought my car new in 2003. I have had no problems out of it thus far. I love the get up and go of the turbo. Even though it is turbo, the gas mileage does not suffer. I get at least 30 mpg. It is fun to drive and economical. It is also the third VW that I have owned. It is probably all that I will ever own.

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  Great Car! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike - July 26 - 5:33 am

  Ive had this car just a little over a month and its absolutely great! With just over 2, 000 Miles, Im averaging between 32 mpg and 34 mpg on the highway and about 29 mpg for mixed driving. At highway speeds it drives/rides almost as well as my wifes Mercedes e350 (although you hear a little More road noise). The car has plenty of power for passing and merging even at highway speeds. Everything seems very tight and well fitted. No interior rattles (at least yet). Stability and the feeling of the driver being in control are impressive. Very Nice car!

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  Great Car....but - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Scott - July 26 - 1:43 am

  I have only had this car in my garage for a few days - I too think the styling, performance (for a turbo 4 cyl.) and overall level of quality is great for a vehicle at this price level. I am very pleased so far and will update this review in a few months. However, for $32K+ the owners manual leaves a lot to be desired - whats written and what Ive got dont always seem to be the same. No information on the stereo/radio/sat/CD is provided and thats a bit of a frustration. Apparently theres no Blutooth cell system that uses the MFD or at least that my dealer was aware of. The panoramic sunroof is a waste of material. I still think this a great car even with a few shortcomings.

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  Touareg in Fort Worth - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By CowtownTouareg - July 25 - 12:00 pm

  My Touaregs gas mileage is OK, about 16 city and 20 highway. The V6 engine is smooth, quiet, and accellerates well, though it frequently upshifts. The leather interior quality is superb. Its quiet and comfortable. It has Package 4 including the upgraded stereo (fantastic) and navigation, which Im addicted to. Overall I think the Touareg is a great vehicle and I would buy one again. Its the best SUV Ive owned and feels very safe, which it is. My next Touareg may be a V8. Its frequently more than 100 degrees here in the summer and the A/C works extremely well and cools the car very quickly, and mine is black with tan leather. The rear view camera in the navigation system works great, even at night. It is a real lifesaver!