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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  First and Last VW - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By North Coast - May 19 - 4:03 pm

  I love driving this car. It handles well and is the perfect size for me. But...I its been pretty high maintenance. So far the fuel injectors have been replaced while still under warranty (whew!). The front brakes have been replaced and the most recent and most expensive repair was for the drivers seat heater which burned out.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike Chad - May 19 - 10:00 am

  First, only 28 days after I take the car home, its radio/stereo/cd suddenly stop working, it wont even power up, will have to bring it back for repair. And with a 180Hp engine, I thought its acceleration would be much better; this baby cant even compete with my 2001 Civic LX (115hp); and the acceleration pedal is too close to the side wall, so if you have a fair size feet, you have to squeeze it in there.

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  1998 VWBeetle--Pass it up - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jonesy - May 19 - 10:00 am

  The 1998 VW Beetle is the worst car I ever had. My mechanic told me with all the repairs I have had, I could have bought a Jaquar. Maybe Ill buy a Jag for my next car. Might as well.

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  A car that is worth owning! - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chase - May 18 - 1:26 pm

  I owned an Audi TT 225 Q and I loved the car. However, after having owned a new GTI 2.0T, just like the Audi A3, I dont know why anyone would put forth the money for the Audi. The Audi, by comparison is cramped and expensive. When I purchased the TT, I didnt spring for the DSG transmission, but after having it in the VW, I never want another car without it. It shifts much faster than any manual I have ever owned. I loved the TT, but the new GTI is much more fun to drive and has a much lighter feel due to the electromechanical steering. This is an A3 for much less. It is definetely worth investigating. I agree with another reviewer here on this site, the stereo is cheap and not very good.

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  Adorable Car with Way Too Many Issues - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LS - May 16 - 2:03 pm

  Fell in love with this car and bought it new. Within the first three months, I think it was in the shop about 4 times. Since then, particularly during summer months, its in the shop on average about once every 6 weeks. Have had problems with the windows, the speakers, the battery (twice), the roof has broken countless times, the wiring on the tail lights, the airbag sensors, the blinker - and the door, which still isnt fixed. Also, the service at my dealership is terrible. They once replaced the wrong airbag so the sensor came back on a couple days later. I would ABSOLUTELY NOT RECOMMEND this car. They take no accountability and I will never purchase another VW, no matter how cute.

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  Great Car - Questionable Quality - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By WolfsburgBuyer - May 15 - 11:50 pm

  This car drives great, interior design is outstanding. Loved it until I discovered that the A/C was draining into the cabin floor. 3rd trip to the dealer might get it fixed. Had a couple of other fit/finish issues with the build quality.

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  Shockingly Terrible - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Maven1216 - May 15 - 6:33 pm

  Wow, where does one begin with a car as sub-par as this one? I have had this car for 4 1/2 years and only put 37,800 miles on it within that time AND STILL it is plagued with problems. From the electrical malfunctions, to the muffler falling off, to the interior coming apart, the transmission being completely worthless, the check engine light being perpetually on, serpentine belt being replaced, new tires, new battery, new air filters, CO2 something-or-other for my gas tank ... and on and on it goes. I am on a first name basis with my VW dealer (funny but also sad) because I am there literally, every month and I cant wait to dump this piece of junk that or drive it off a cliff.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By jayo - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Every aspect of this vehicle exceeded my expectations!

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  More than expected for the money - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By floridasutherner - May 15 - 10:00 am

  With all of the options that come with the Suv, I couldnt compare the price with all that I have on the Tourage verses with the BMW, Lexus & Volvo. Very Roomy in the front and backseat. Wish that it had a 3rd row option and better gas mileage, A in dash disk player would be nice as well! The interior and the drive of this SUV feels as if you had paid for a top dollar SUV and in fact, I didnt! Very eye catchy and I get alot of compliments!

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  problems - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By FUSTRATED - May 15 - 10:00 am

  this car has had the onstar computer replaced 4 times and still has the same problem VW blames onstar. VW is aware of a hard downshift problem for over 6 months all they tell the owner is they are waiting for the program from Germany. It dost take that long to build a car.