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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  My first VW and its awesome! - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mnsparks13 - May 2 - 6:41 pm

  I just bought my 12 Jetta TDI recently, so its a bit too soon to comment on reliability although, I expect it to be reliable. I bought my car as a certified used car with only 26,000 miles on it. The first second I saw it, I fell in love with it. It is red and has a nice 2 tone interior. The seats are the leathertte seats. The dash design is very nice, not offensive or overly styled, just right. I have the navigation system and the Fender sound system, which I highly recommend. The Fender sound system is amazing! The car is pretty much loaded. I highly recommend this car. Dont believe the bad things some of the car magazines say about this car, this car is solid and awesome!

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  2009 VR-6 Great Deal - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By HoustonJR - May 1 - 12:46 pm

  Replacing 2002 Passat. Vehicle is much quicker and more fun to drive. Got a great deal on a VR-6 model, paid $29.2K in Houston, TX. Have put 1000 highway miles on it and its very comfortable. Averaged 28 mpg.

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  Purely Awesome - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Justin - April 30 - 4:20 pm

  I have had this car now for about a week and already have 1,600 miles on it! I could not be happier with the car, the gas mileage could be a little better, but that might have something to do with the way I drive the car.

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  No regrets - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bodyshopboy - April 30 - 2:06 pm

  Traded an 04 Acura TL for the Sport Wagon in search of better gas mileage and flexibility of a wagon. I think this is one of the best engines out there, plenty of power, good mileage (34 mpg on a commute where the TL got 19) It handles as well or better than the TL. Purchased it with Navi, SMG, Ipod and panoramic sunroof. The Navi is not a great value as it doesnt include other technology upgrades like advanced Bluetooth. It is, however well integrated and displays turn-by-turn in the instrument cluster. Bluetooth is OK, but I miss using voice commands to dial the phone (The TL was better in this regard) It is answer- answer using steering wheel buttons.

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  A Steal in 2016 - 2016 Volkswagen EOS
  By Becca Petrin - April 29 - 6:02 pm

  Everyone says this car isnt sporty, but I think it is. My wife has an Audi Q4 and that car wants to speed, its engine is always hungry for faster. The Eos is also hungry for speed. Not quite as hungry as the Audi, luckily, but its not for racing (and Id argue the Audi is too fast to the point of being dangerous.) I love the Eos. The hard top means I can actually leave a car seat in there in the city and not worry about it getting stolen. My Wrangler soft top was constantly robbed. The car will fit me, the wife, the baby, the dog, and a weekend getaways luggage with the top up, so we fill it up, go to the coast, unload, and were set for top down cruising. The Eos is fun to drive, comfortable, sporty, and I feel like I got way more features than the price tag suggests. I got it in black and it looks a little like the Batmobile with the top up. The interior finishes are gorgeous. The handling is tight and responsive. The sound system is great and with Spotify streaming to the speakers, perfect. The nav doesnt show traffic, I wish it were Google maps - but I just use my phone for navigating heavy traffic. This leaves my Wrangler in the dust in every way. Ease of dropping the top, handling, mileage, safety, trunk space, and comfort. The Audi is comparable but not a convertible! Ive driven their soft tops but I love the Eos hard top. Anyways, I think the discounted Eos is a steal and recommend driving one and if you like it, get it while you can!

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  Well worth it. - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Shakecakes - April 29 - 3:56 am

  The handling is still a little unresponsive, but VW definitely put some thought into this car. Fuel mileage is a little bad but coming from 20/27 Im good. There are little easter eggs in this car that a good run-through should show. Stereo system could be improved, as it sounds like Im listening through two old computer speakers, but who buys the base and expects premium sound? Radio reception and sound are much better than I expected. The back seat is big enough to fit maybe one person comfortably, but dont through two adults back there. Also you dont even notice the lack of arm rest if you decide to opt out of the iPod dock. But thats more a personal preference. All in all, get it.

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  We like it very much, but not typical VW - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By lenny97 - April 28 - 4:40 am

  We have the Routan for 10 days now and are very happy with it. Glad to have the 4.0l engine. We are from Europe and had a VW Eurovan TDI. Unfortunately this not in the US lineup. The Routan might be german tuned, but still gives a American ride feeling. It ist very comfortable and quiet.

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  Phenominal - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By mully237 - April 27 - 8:20 am

  The engine, handling, stereo, fun to drive factor, and fit and finish of my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 are all above par for this class. With a wide range of styles and options this car can fit into a lot of differet sized budgets. I love the manu-matic shift paddles on the steering wheel. The interior is sharp with black leather and brushed aluminum accents. The stereo pumps out quility sound and offers MP3 playability. The engine is beefy and is well complimented with a robust transmission and tight suspension. With the Acura TL and Audi A4 in my sights I found the Passat fit well in price and performance. Overall the 3.6L edges out the TL in style and saves some pennies on an A4 with comparable options. This car has everything you need.

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  Performance and Practicality - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chris - April 26 - 6:36 pm

  First of all, to be honest I never thought I would own a VW. I went and test drove an 07 Civic Si, but found it to be lacking in the torque department. I also considered the Scion tC but found it to be lacking the quality of the Toyotas that I have owned before. When I first test drove the GTI I was surprised by how smooth and refined the power was. It doesnt require you to downshift every time you need to pass since it makes so much torque and at such low rpm. There is NO lag that I can tell. The cabin is well organized, being driver oriented with most features that I wanted being standard. The car is also very quiet with a supple ride for a sports car, paired with a responsive steering system.

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  WOW I love this car!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kay S - April 26 - 1:03 am

  I just bought this car a week ago and I already know I will be keeping it till it kicks. I love driving it, it is so much fun! The handling is amazing, the shifting is smoother than anything I have ever driven. Take off is the best part. And I can fit all three of my kid seats in back! Thank you Volkswagen for making such a beautiful car