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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  Finally Happy - 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NewMoonDaughter - July 8 - 1:30 am

  I started collecting cars when I was five. Parents thought I was strange as a girl who loved cars. Most of my collection consisted of Beetles. My mom had two growing up in the early 1980s. Ive wanted one all my life. Traded in a 2007 Honda Civic with no regrets! While the Civic was a great car, its simply BORING. The Beetle, her name is Phoebe, is totally for me. I cant wait to drive. It handles well in the rain, I fit a carseat with no problems in the back and my 19 month old has no problems getting out because of the way the seat lifts forward. The red dashboard lights are great and the trunk space is fine. I fit $250 worth of groceries plus an umbrella stroller with no issues.

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  Youll Love This Car!!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Surfbrd67 - July 7 - 8:00 am

  I sold my 97 BMW 740 (I got tired of the $1,000 repair bills!) and just purchased the new 06 Passat with the Luxury Pkg. #2. Its got plenty of power and great mileage to boot (22/35). I picked the Passat over the Audi A4 and Infiniti G35 because of the extra room in the back seat, many standard features as well as the good lease deal VW was offering. I didnt think I would like to drive a VW after owning a 7-Series BMW but I was plesantly surprised. The websites compare this car to the Camry and Accord but I think it is more in the class of the BMW 3-Series, Volvo S40, Saab 9-3, and Infiniti G35. Im convinced that you cannot find a better car for the money from anyone!

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  I Love To Drive My V-Dub - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KJ - July 7 - 2:56 am

  Have you ever owned a car that you cant wait to drive it again? This is the car! This is truly a drivers car. The fit and finish is first rate. Where do I start? Its the premium sound system with Sirius satellite and 6 disc MP3 player and the leather heated seats and the attractive interior night lighting and the power sunroof and the automatic climate controls and the automatic headlights and the rain sensing windshield wipers and the spacious trunk. This is a loaded vehicle. This is what a luxury car is supposed to be.

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  Plays above its class - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Scott K - July 6 - 6:07 pm

  The 2018 Tiguan is criticized for poor engine power and fuel economy, but after driving it for some time there are some important related notes. Our true MPG has been well above the highway rating of 27. It consistently achieves over 30 mpg, and we dont baby it at all. Also the engines not fully broken in yet so should even improve a little over time. If the AWD was engaged, I assume the 27 would be realistic. As for the low power complaint, there is a small amount of turbo lag so put your foot into it for quicker response and use the sport shift mode around town. It really makes a difference. Manual shift also works well. We came from a 2015 Ford Edge which is considered a larger higher end SUV and the Tiguan is very comparable in terms of interior space and sophistication. The exterior appeal is more subtle but it has some nice details and a classic SUV overall appearance. Since it compares well to the next size and price level of SUVs, its actually $4-5K cheaper than similarly equipped bigger sport utes.

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  Dream Machine - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Alan - July 6 - 11:10 am

  What a Car! Style, Quality, Performance at a good price. Consumer Reports Top Pick. Compared to BMW, Audi, Volvo convertibles (Eos has more options for less money). 0-60 mpg, 7.9 seconds. Good safety & reliability ratings. Spoke to several EOS owners and ALL say they love their car. Pick up is quick, maneuvers great on bends, very little wind noise even with top down. Trunk space small but ample room for groceries. Back seat definitely not for those with small children in car seats. No question that you will get stares if you put the top down at a red light. Not something I normally would do but I just couldnt resist. The guy in the BMW convertible behind me almost cried. Have Fun.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Aurelian - July 5 - 11:16 pm

  The 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI is an excellent family car. It gets very good gas mileage with its diesel engine. It has all of the possible airbags (side, front, and side curtain), an elegant exterior design, and top quality interior materials.

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  97 TDI - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By richardb - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car except for recent stalling problem. Have been to dealer several times but they cannot find the problem.

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  CROSS USA/CANADA TEST DRIVE - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By SUVW - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Through the good graces of my friend, who owns the local VW dealer (free plug: Montesi VW, North Haven, CT), I was able to pick up my new Touareg at the port and proceed to take a cross country adventure with my kids for almost the entire summer. We gave the Touareg a good test, driving 10,600 miles over six weeks, about 200 of those off-road. All I can say is that when I find a woman I like as much as this car, Ill consider a relationship. Thoroughly fun on road and off-smooth at speeds of 100mph, and the Nav system is fantastic. I ran into a Cayenne owner who was dismayed that he didnt wait for the Touareg. Need I say more?

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  Best car I have ever owned!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kharley - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I get excelent gas mileage average around 45 miles to the gallon. The only thing is that an oil change cost 60 dollars because you use more oil along with a different kind of oil in the disel version. I would not trade my car for anything it is fun to drive very cute and money efficent. I highly recommed it to anyone who is on the road often. I put 6500 miles on it in 3 months and got it straight off of the truck. Its great!!!!

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  TDI SportWagen is Amazing - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bam - July 5 - 9:46 am

  I now had my 2009 TDI Wagon a full year now and have 15k on it, so I thought I would share my experience. The car has been flawless and has had no service issues at all. Mileage has been great at mid 40s on the hwy and mid 30s in the city. If you are going 65mph cruising it will get over 50mpg. My usual tank avg. is 38-40mpg with 2/3 hwy miles. The car is fun to drive especially with the 6spd. manual. Started right up in 30 below zero overnight weather last winter, no problems at all.