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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  Great Car for the price - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Mark - July 9 - 6:20 am

  What a great car for the price. It’s great on gas millage, considering its size. I also give VW a lot of credit for the design. The ride is quiet, and comfortable. It feels like a firm car and yet it’s very responsive to the road. 2.0 Turbo delivers great gas mileage and ample power when needed. Interior is nicely designed with controls adequately placed at drivers reach. It’s roomy for the driver and passenger with a lot of extra trunk space. The passenger seats might be a tight fit for someone 6 feet tall. Overall great job to the designers of this fun, yet sleek looking VW CC.

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  A Very Capable & Comfortable SUV - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jabteb - July 8 - 6:35 pm

  This is a very capable and comfortable SUV. TDI provides loads for power for effortless acceleration and cruising. On the road, it has great manners with precision steering and a nice road feel. In the snow and gunk 4 Motion provides super secruity. The 8 speed transmission is extremely smooth and when coupled with the TDI accelerates quickly to expressway cruising speeds. The ride is smooth and quiet with little cabin noise. Leather seating is fits the body like a glove. I only have 1500 miles on it but mileage is around 26 MPG real world with about 2/3 highway and 1/3 town. Ive already seen the advertised 29 MPG on the highway and it isnt even broke in yet.

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  50mpg and still fun to drive!!! - 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jimmercyclist - July 8 - 4:57 pm

  My new 2015 Jetta TDI SEL is amazing. Ever since my daughter bought a 2010 Jetta TDI a couple years ago, Ive wanted a TDI. The new TDI engine gets even better mpg than her 2010. Im averaging 46mpg for the first 1500miles. Thats 700miles between fill-ups! More amazing, is the car is still spirited. Ive driven a Prius hybrid, and they are ugly and boring to drive. The exterior and interior upgrades from 2014 are right on point. Very stylish and attractive. With the 2011 Jetta redesign (MK6), they signifcantly reduced the quality of the car (rear drum brakes, solid rear axle, less soft touch interior surfaces). The 2015 model has restored all theses thing, plus more. Best bang for the buck.

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  Quality Over Quantity - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Jason - July 8 - 2:36 am

  Smaller dimensions and my driving experience put the Tiguan in a class of its own. I enjoyed test driving the CX-5 and CR-V and while the Tiguan was not necessarily more athletic, the driving experience and interior felt a class above. This generation of the Tiguan is Volkswagen before the cost-cutting - not a volume seller, but it fills a niche for those wanting a premium feel without the Audi markup, much like the Jetta used to be stepping stone to the A4 or 3-series. Cargo space is comparable to a hatch, smaller than other compact CUVs, but just as versatile as both. As a side-note, I would pick the Jetta over both if VW would just improve the interior quality. The Golf is a great car and is the smart choice for fuel efficiency, but the looks never grew on me so the Tiguan was a good alternative. Contrary to most reviews, the interior was actually larger and more airy than I expected. With both the front and back seats adjusted all the way back, there was plenty of legroom but it comes at the expense of less cargo space in the rear. Fuel economy is not a strong point, especially since I do mostly city driving, but the performance in my eyes is worth the trade off. Once the turbo kicks in its hard not to smile and it feels very stable at high speeds or during bad weather. The steering is a little light at lower speeds but has great feel at higher speeds. The stereo on the SE (something often overlooked in reviews but important to me) is as good, or better, than top of the line systems in other brands. In my opinion, the upgraded Fender system is unnecessary. The good aside, I have to agree the driving position takes getting used to. The view is commanding, but the steering wheel and dash feel too high, and the armrests too low (I am 60). I personally like the firm seats. I would not, and did not pay MSRP for the Tiguan SE, especially since an all-new version will be available later this year. Reliability is unknown for me at this point, but in over 100k miles with my last Jetta 2.5 I had to do nothing but replace a battery. Hoping for the same experience here.

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  good stuff - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By aaron8986 - July 7 - 10:00 am

  great car. Stealthy sleeper look but unheralded performance. Great interior, great ergonomics. One of the reasons i like german cars so much. Turbo...who could argue with it?

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  Dependable Winter Car with handles. - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By TDotten - July 7 - 6:40 am

  I have only owned the car for about 8 months, but I absolutely love it. I bought the car from a guy who was meticulous in his maintenance and it has been extremely reliable. The guy also upgraded the suspension with Kuni springs and Eibach struts (plus UHP tires), so it handles ridiculously well. It is more fun to drive than any car I have ever owned and its a station wagon! We also have a 100 Lb lab/Great dane, and he fits well in the back due to the largest trunk in its class. I couldnt be happier with the car and it is an absolute pleasure to drive.

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  Pleasantly Surprised! - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Riteon - July 5 - 7:00 pm

  I religiously research cars so I cross shopped the Audi Q5, VW CC, etc. and was sold on the CC. I never considered to research the Tiguan because I just thought it was too small. I was there to get the CC when I saw this White Gold SEL fully loaded. Took it for a spin and was sold. Bought it right there. Had it for a few days now and still finding things I love about it. I put the car in reverse and was surprised to see the backup camera. I didnt even know it was there till after I bought it. The ride is so smooth and responsive. The interior on the SEL is outstanding. Its nicer than the Audi Q5. I highly recommend this car.

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  Commuting Bliss - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By rbvw@hotmail.com - July 4 - 2:00 am

  After driving a Nissan Altima for 78,000 miles I wanted to find a car that would make my 3-hour commute more enjoyable. I tested Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and even a Vibe. all left me a little disappointed with their performance. After driving the Golf I was hooked. The car is faster and handles better than any of the other 4- cyl models I tested. The build quality is awesome and feels solid compared to the tin can feeling of the Japanese autos. I purchased a GLS w/ winter and Monsoon and have never been happier with a car. Before you buy that Honda… Try a VW.

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  Awsome - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kelme711 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt tell the difference between a BMW 3 series and the jetta, bought it for the and now i am stealing it from her.

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  Fit to Finish - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Zech - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for quite some time now 2 years and the car continues to give me that same feeling I had the first day I brought it home. German quality shines through wish interior fit and finish. The engine is stout with its great power. I have not encountered problems that others have posted, but I have always taken care of my cars. The window has not "fallen in", but the did perform the recall on the window free of charge. This is my forth VW in the last 35 years and I will continue to be a VW man!