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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  Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By passat - August 12 - 3:53 pm

  The 2006 Passat looks really good, weve gotten a lot of compliments on it. It really gets up and goes when you need it to. Its got a nice size trunk and rides really, its well (really comfortable). I think that its design is really good and would but it again!

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  The best minivan in the next few years - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Thegooddriver - August 11 - 9:46 pm

  I researched for months before buying a Minivan and when I decided to, the VW Routan came out. Months prior, I have test-driven other minivans, but most have issues with either road noise/breaks or rattling. Then, I test- drove the Routan; I was impressed for it is very smooth, very quiet and does not produce road noise. The VW suspensions also absorb rough and uneven surfaces very well. Ive been advised to go for the Japanese minivans, which are reliable. Well, they are, but Id rather deal with thinking how long the Routan will last than dealing with road noise and rattling that will surely distract me every time I drive. With VW and Chrysler combined, it must be something…

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  What A Pioneer - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve B. - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This car is phenomanal. Not only have I had none of the problems that other reviewers have had (Im soory that theyve had those problems by the way, they are missing out) but it is the most fun to drive car around. Nothing has acted up, nothing has failed, and nothing has been replaced. This car is a definate buy.

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  Excellent - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrea Lopez - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I was very skeptical about buying a new car. But i know that buying the jetta was one of the best decisions i have made. the jetta not only makes me feel in affordable nice car but a fun car too. I love the jetta it has given me what i wanted. Relaible, fun, comfortable, and sexy.

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  This car rocks! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 1.8TFan - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my car, It is fun to drive and peppy. Its got plenty of pick up which is pretty handy when getting on a freeway, or when you just want to drive around town. I would absolutely recommend this car to a friend, as a matter of fact my husband bought one shortly after I bought mine.

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  Zippy car! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By VWGryph24 - August 10 - 10:43 pm

  I give it an excellent rating! Man that Mark 5 Rabbit is such a zippy car. It may not be as powerful as its big brother, the GTI, but it has plenty of spunk. In Sport mode its even more zippy!

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  A 170 HP Economy Car - With 6 Airbags - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve Conslaw - August 10 - 5:06 pm

  If you are looking at a Passat - try the manual transmission. Big difference - no turbo lag - plenty of power - good mpg. We get 27-28 MPG with very few freeway miles. Note - thats as good as the Accord Hybrid for fewer $. The trip computer makes it easy to drive for MPG (like a PRIUS) if you want. If you get away from traffic 30+ MPG is possible. Still,the Turbo is always there if you want to kick it. Lots of room inside. The car has been reliable but a few things are a pain - suggested premium gas, though runs fine on midgrade. Weve had no sludge problem but VW says use synthetic oil = pricey. Wiper blades are hard to find. Warranty repair stress crack in windshield.

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  My GTi is a Hoot to drive!! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By ChiefSectionB - August 10 - 4:06 pm

  This German Rocket is the most fun Ive had in a car!! Autobahn package worth the price. Handles great. The exhaust note is sublime... no mods needed. Performance/price ratio is off the chart. First tank mixed town/country driving was 27.6 MPG, and 2nd tank interstate driving (75-80 MPH) was 28.8 MPG.

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  Buy it! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ian - August 9 - 8:43 pm

  The VW Touareg gives consumers a lot of bank for the buck. I had this SUV for two months. The engine is doing well even after 35,000 miles of the previous oweners lead foot. If you are buying one, go for the air suspension and navigation because youll regret not getting them within first week of ownership.

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  Great dub - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By petesgarden - August 9 - 6:26 am

  I upgraded from a 1999.5 MKIV Golf GLS to this 2008 2.5 2dr Rabbit. Awesome car. 16000 trouble free miles over my 1st year of ownership, great get up and go, great ride. Not as much storage space as before and the interior is not as refined as previous models, but still way nicer than the same priced JDM or US cars.