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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  so much fun - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By jtr750 - September 5 - 9:26 am

  Ive owned the vehicle for three weeks. Filled up for the first time at 525 miles at a little under 1/4 tank left and averaged 38mpg. I have a combination of in town and highway miles driven each day. Considering how I drive, I believe this is fantastic! I have owned a 2001 Dodge Diesel truck which I have kept due to reliability and the fact that it is paid for. I plan on keeping this vehicle for 10 years as well. I hope the reliability is as good as my truck. If so, they may be the last vehicles I own. Diesel is the way to go for reliability and fuel economy.

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By coachB2003 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  After the test drive I just had to have it.

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  Marvelous Machine - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By yorams - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dream!!!! Its a 1.8 Turbo with 5 speed Tiptronic tranny. The 1.8 Turbo feels like a V-6. The only options I got were leather seats and ESP (Electronic Stabilization Program)

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  10,000 Update - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By deusexmaxima - September 3 - 8:03 pm

  After 10K miles in 7 months (drove from Atlanta, where I bought it, to Los Angeles), Im happy to say that my TDI has exceeded my expectations. Reliability has been excellent, other than the TPMS warning light that was fixed with a software update. My best mileage has been 52.5 mpg, and the solidity has held up pretty well, even over rough LA freeways. Acceleration is as spirited as ever, and I still marvel at the sport seats every time I sit in them (Im almost 63", and achieving this kind of comfort in a small car is no easy feat). Does anyone (who doesnt have ten kids or weigh more than 400 lbs) really need more than this car offers? In my opinion, no.

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  Very happy - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By gtigirl - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with my Green Rave 2001 GTI 1.8T, it is the best car I have ever owned, everything is perfect with it - I still cant beleive the power and performance that it has. I recommend VWs to anyone I know..

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  Smart peoples SUV - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Laszlo - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have been buying VWs for about 10 years.Ilove them they are the best cars out there for the money. This car drives, handles and looks like a $40k car. (I spent 24k on mine,everything,but leather and automatic.)

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  The best adult hatchback in the group - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Mark - September 2 - 10:46 am

  I really wanted a smaller car, with decent gas mileage, good performance and a somewhat upscale feel without spending 40K. I also need a back seat for occasional passenger transportation. I looked at the civics, and just could not do it, its seems like a kids car to me, I also looked at The toyota corrola (better gas mileage, but the most boring vehicle) absolutely no fun to drive. After test driving the GTI, I was sold, it was perfect, sporty, but comfortable, easy power, not a brute, easy to maneuver in the city, quick acceleration for passing and the best interior of the cars I tested. Im 40 years old, and this car is a blast, but also very practical.

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  VW Rabbit as good as it gets! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By atomicbri - September 2 - 5:20 am

  Wow. I am really liking my new VW Rabbit. Its still a Golf in my head and I have to get used to the name. Otherwise this car is excellent! Already have taken it on a trip and it proves to be a great driver. Very quiet at highway speed with auto. Small so easy to parallel park in the city, but loads of cargo room. Fun to drive, handles well. And interior fit and finish is excellent.

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  Awesome Value - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By CJohnson - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I think that this is the best car that Ive owned, including other VWs, Mazdas, and Acuras. I dont know how you could do any better at any price. The styling, both interior and exterior is fabulous, and the fit and finish is beyond compare. LOVE the sunroof. The car feels very solid like it would last forever.

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  Fun To Drive!! - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By JND - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! But all I have to compare it to are big vehicles, Full Size Truck, Excursion and old Landcruiser. So of course I love the GAS MILEAGE! We have the Diesel. We live on a long dirt and gravel road with crazy mud and snow--was looking at a Subaru, but needed good gas mileage, this works! May buy mud and snow tires soon, but pleasantly surprised so far.