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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  Just got my Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By piggy - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is really sporty and fun to drive. Lots of room in the trunk. Great sounding stereo. The car sold itself and I have had no complaints. Comfortable, functional, fun.

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  Where To Start With the Problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By rocky - February 29 - 5:46 pm

  I would have to disagree about the reliablity of the GTI. The first day I got it, the airbag light was on. They said it was the sensor in the seatbelt buckle. This was service trip #1. Then my GTI died on me three times due to the terminal connecting to the battery, trip #2. Then my car started to overheat on two seperate occasions. The dealer said it was a burnt fuse box that was above the battery that caused my fan to not kick in (good place to put a fuse huh). Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that the moonroof sqeaks and the turbo lags. If you are ever to listen to a stranger in your life, listen to me. DONT BUY THIS CAR! You will spend more time getting to know your mechanic than enjoing a turbo car.

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  Pathetic Piece of Junk - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tino - February 29 - 1:16 pm

  My Passat was dirty when delivered, with cookie crumbs and coffee stains. It had 700+ unexplained miles on it when it was delivered. It had a major leak in the exhaust system no later than 7 days after I drove it. The radio system often fails to turn off when leaving, you must manually shut system off. The car feels like someone kicks it when accelerating. Now, I have discovered that the MANUAL hand crank on the side of the car will no longer moves the seat up or down. What a piece of junk! Corporate customer service has feigned concern (soft voice, syrupy enunciation). I want action, not platitudes! Inspection reports show conflicting mileages. This car looks nice, but who needs a $27,000 lawn ornament?

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  makes me more mad every day - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jd - February 28 - 10:06 pm

  I bought my 2004 gli 1.8t in April of 2004. I test drove a R32 first, but the gli caught my eye. I drove it next and liked its performance and style. At around 2,000 miles a loud sound started coming from the rear somewhere, it almost sounds like brakes , but I wonder if its some kind of tension on metal. Anyway its anoying as it can be. Also, the gear shifter keeps poping off. I have taken the car to the dealership to get both of these problems fixed. They told me that they fixed the shifter but its still doing it. They told me that they couldnt figure out the noise in the rear and to bring it the car back some other time. Its got 16,000 on it now and is pissing me off more each day.

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  German tank safety with GTI performance - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Val - February 28 - 1:20 pm

  I was an Audi Q7 3.6 FSI owner. Even Audi was very elegant, the mileage was bad, averaging 16 mpg overall. I always wanted to buy the Touareg in first place, but only the TDI version, for its superior torque, fun to drive and stellar gas mileage. I bought the vehicle with almost all the possible options, air suspension, xenon, navigation, rear view camera, etc. The car is very safe and fun to drive, excellent acceleration and passing power for such heavy vehicle.

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  I love my car - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By erw - February 28 - 12:16 pm

  This is the funnest car to drive for the money. It is the best on the freeway. Girls love this car, I get compliments all the time. I had one problem with a rattle but the dealership fixed it. I love how I can drive it way fast and aggressive or slow and easy and get great gas mpg around 34-38 mpg if I drive good.

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  Oil Burner - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kookie - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for the looks and the 100,000 mile warranty(Engine).At 15,000 miles the temperature gauge went out,then the dealer wanted to replace the rear rotors for $400.What a joke, another dealer said the rotors were OK. This car burns oil since day one, 1 quart every 1,000 miles...V W says it,s OK.I am very disapointed with this car.I will never buy a V W again.Give me a Honda anyday.Now I know why V W recommends to change the oil every 10,000 miles...The oil is always new,since it burns so much oil, why even bother changing it?Just replace the oil filter.

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  My Herbie - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By psperl - February 28 - 8:23 am

  I turned in a 2002 Lexus LS 430 sedan for my Beatle. I wanted to make life simpler for myself upon retiring from professional life. The Lexus was a great auto,but I didnt need it anymore and dont miss it, as my Bug is such fun to drive.

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  Best Wagon on the Market - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By JolietJay - February 28 - 7:20 am

  We owned a 2006 Passat Sedan - great car, never had a single issue; fun to drive, good gas mileage, loaded with good features - an Audi at 60% the price. We needed more utility, so we decided to purchase a Passat Wagon. This car is great. Loads of space, fold flat rear seats, automatic real lift gate, heated seats, sunroof....great audio system. What can I say, the same great ride and handling, good performance of the sedan...with a ton of utility space. The kicker...we are averaging 28.6 mpg over the last 5k miles. This wagon is getting better gas mileage that our 2006 Sedan....same engine, same transmission....maybe were just driving it better, or maybe its just a great wagon.

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  A Keeper - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By BSL - February 28 - 2:20 am

  Has been reliable, quiet, comfortable, and fun to drive. I dont ask for more than that. My wife has the 1.8 four cylinder. The six is smoother on acceleration. Both cruise on the highway with great ease. Interior controls took some getting used too, but they feel quite comfortable now. Would like a little better visibility when backing up. The small features for the price are an added bonus. Ive enjoyed it on long trips especially. Set the cruise conrol (or youll be well over the speed limit without knowing it) and just enjoy the comfort of a car that takes the effort out of driving.