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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  This car is the best - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettamon - October 30 - 10:00 am

  This car has been completely incredible. Ive driven cars from every major maker, including the most premium luxery car companies, and even BMW and Mercedes dont produce cars which match this cars overall quality, in terms of hadnling, interior and exterior aesthetics, and safety. And this car costs roughly half what its competition from those companies cost. Incredible.

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  overall an excellent car - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By leuparaleu - October 27 - 8:26 pm

  I love my little car; but a few things still have to be improved. The seaters and the stearing wheel have a limited adjustment. The radio loose some time the reception and the arm rest is a too inefficient. The outside mirror adjustment is inconvenient to use

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  Keeping this one! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By LovePassats - October 27 - 6:16 pm

  I have had my Passat for almost two years and I have virtually NO complaints. This is my second Passat, I had my first one for about a year and then I realized that I shouldnt have passed up the heated leather seats and 4-Motion. I love both features - my passengers expecially love the heated passenger seat! The car perfoms extremly well in the snow. I feel very safe, comfortable and confident driving it on roads that have 6 - 8 inches of snow and have never been plowed! The car just does not slide! In my opinion there is not another car on the road that looks as sharp as the PASSAT! The car rides beautifully, handles great, and gets good gas millage. The 4-cylinder engines pick up is impressive.

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  All I can say - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By jmroberts1 - October 25 - 10:34 am

  After owning this car for two years with absolutely no problems I am happy! I am a very satisfied with my 2010 GTI 2 door. Pretty much a base model with the dsg transmission. 35000 miles later and I am now a VW convert, I bought this as an emotional buy knowing VWs hit or miss reliability. The fit and finish is second to none and I have still not heard any unexplained rattles. Mileage has been outstanding, 32.1 overall with about 85 % being highway miles. I can get about 37 to 39 MPGs highway when I do 60 consistently and high 20s around town. Fun to drive factor is great, power is always on tap with minimal turbo lag. It handles well for fwd. Highly recommend!!!!!

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  whyshouldi - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By somethinorother - October 24 - 10:00 am

  its a superb suv`

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  2004 Passat is indeed a fun to drive - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By rmm3313 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  The GLS has great standard features as well as nice extras. I have not owned the vehicle for that long I may be jumping the gun a bit but this is the third week I have it and it is amazing. The roomyness of the car is a great plus and the air conditioning is great,Its HOT in Florida!! not to mention the sound system and sunroof. Shop around for better prices. The cars safety features are a huge plus for the family and as far as insurance is concerned. The feel of its drive is captivating because of the turbo 1.8 engine that is nothing to laugh at. IF you ever forget its power it will instantly remind you. The fact that the 1.8T is a ULEV is a plus.

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  MY DREAM COME TRUE - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By MICHO - October 24 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE DREAM CAR!

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  Awesome Car!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KerriJetta - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This was a graduation present from my parents, and I couldnt have asked for a better car. The pick up is great, awesome interior. Its a sporty car, but still practical. This car is a definite head turner and worth every penny.

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  Excellent car - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Missy - October 24 - 9:16 am

  I bought this car a few weeks ago,and love it. It is so fast, the take off speed is impressive. I love the package 1 upgrade, it had everything I wanted. I love this car, me and my mom both have one now.

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  Great car in the city - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eveland - October 23 - 9:56 pm

  This is a great car if you drive mostly in town. Its not a comfortable car for long trips though. The suspension is tight and there is a lot of road and air noise. I prefer to drive my older car when I do any interstate driving. If you drive mostly in town you wont run into this problem and its a very fun car to drive. For the money, its a great deal.