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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  Poor Mans Audi A4 - and more! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By FrankTheCrank - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Who needs Quattro anyway. And for a $5,000 less, who would not be willing to live with the imperceptibly higher level of vibration. The car corners like a champ, it accelerates like a rocket, it comes to a stop quickly, and it cruises down the highway as smoothly as any pimp-mobile. The GLX package with the sport wheels has definite curb appeal - even valets and gas station attendants, jaded as they might be about everything automotive, comment on the car! The on-dash trip computer tells you everything you need to know, the cruise control doesnt require any training to operate, ample headspace give you the feel of a much larger car.

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  I WAS a diehard Volvo owner - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jrbatchelder - July 19 - 10:00 am

  After driving Volvo cars for 20 years my wife insisted I test drive a Passat. After a ten minute drive I was sold on the VW Passat GL 1.8T 5 speed manual trans car we immediately purchased. This car exudes quality, stability and has wonderful road "feel".

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  Perfect - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By veroom - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Best car for the money.

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  Love My Turbo S - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bren - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The 6-speed manual and 180 hp make this so much fun to drive. I also get many looks and good comments about it. The cars "get up and go" is great. I love how this car is unique to all the other New Beetles. The two tone leather interior is awesome. Some may gripe about the back seat being too small. All I have to say is that this car is not a "family car", it is a car to have fun in! This car has made me nothing but happy since the day I bought it.

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  Hot-hatch, Cheap Speed, All kinda fun - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By jwestie85 - July 18 - 2:06 pm

  Im only 27 yrs old, but have gone through cars like water because i suffer from, "Gotta have the next thing-itis", and yeah, its terminal. But anywho, this little car has got to be one of the best values for any one who REALLY loves to drive, and drive fast. This car fells uber strong 1st through 3rd gear, and the higher gears arent too shabby either. (In 3rd at 6500 RPM, youre doing 85mph) The gas mileage isnt great if you stay in it, but is capable of getting 26 mpg or so on interstate. The 6 spd manual is an absolute dream to drive, takes learning to drive it right, but when you and the car agree, its a beautiful thing. Summary: The Germans build drivers cars.

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  Have It All for Not Too Much - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By tblank - July 17 - 4:16 pm

  The Passat 3.6L sport package is a great all around car with 280 hp, 24.7mpg with over 6,800 miles so far, comfort, and handling. The sport seats are great, the sport package suspension handles a lot better, yet rides better than a BMW 325i with a sport package. I am getting +2.5 mpg better than the 03 Honda Accord 3L V6 that I traded in on the same commute, while driving a bigger car with notably more power. I have had no problems with it so far except for the ECU reflash for the throttle hesitation, which worked very well and took 40 minutes. If you have not driven a Passat 3.6, its a sweet deal (especially an 06 leftover pricing: $28,000) with big discounts are available (I got $5,700 off list).

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  Great Car - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By shaun - July 14 - 5:26 pm

  I have had my Rabbit for over a year now. No problems whatsoever, and it is a wonderful car to drive. One thing I did wish was better was gas mileage, although you get in performance what you lose in gas mileage, so it is a trade off I am happy with. Any of the other similar cars with better mileage cant hold a candle to the get up and go that my Rabbit has.

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  Good value for money - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Terry K - July 14 - 3:26 pm

  I love this car. Excellent build quality, comfortable, quiet, good MPG, and some really nice features.

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  Better than the Last... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Justin - July 14 - 12:43 am

  I used to own a 2001 Beertle. This one, a 2006 model, is much nicer all the way around. Plus it doesnt have the disappearing oil, where I would find myself a half a quart low after a couple of months.

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  New Bug - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By richard - July 13 - 10:06 pm

  A really fun vehicle to drive. Front seats are very comfortable with plenty of leg room-rear seats are not meant for adults.