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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  Buy this car!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By VR6shooter - February 5 - 10:00 am

  One has to really appreciate this car. Unbeatable build quality especially for the money. Perfect amounts of power (any more and you would need VWs 4-motion. Way to go VW!!!

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  Worst Car Ive Owned (and I had a Fiero) - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By budsjetta - February 5 - 10:00 am

  DO NOT BUY VW!! I have had 9 separate serious mechanical problems. Check Engine light, Mass Air Flow, Power Steering, Air Bag, Rear Windows do not function, Rear Brakes worn out at 30K (front brakes still good at 82K), etc. Interior Materials are cheap and break easily, CD Changer reads "CD ERROR" most of the time with new discs, Gas filler door will not close... More problems but only 700 characters to explain...

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  Driver Found - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ray66 - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I reserched long and hard at vehicles in this class. The Passat clearly out does the compitition. The safety features are unmatched as well. Ive put 10,500 miles on this vehicle since purchase and it seems to get better everyday. This is my first taste of German engineering and I like it!!

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  Fun and Safe to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dan Miranda - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Safety features are reassuring, the gas milage is great and the 4cyl turbo has all the kick you need.

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  Mileage problems - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tigrone - February 5 - 9:06 am

  Definitely an improved car from what they were in the past years. I am enjoying the rides.

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  What a great ride! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mrs. Stacey Branger - February 5 - 1:17 am

  This is a terrific SUV. Yes, its a gas hog, but the power, control, and creature comforts out weigh that particular negative. I bought this to haul my elderly handicap parents, and their scooters around town. We all love the smooth ride, AC, and Its turning capability. Its easy to climb in and out of, and we find that even though we do not plan on having more than three adults at a time, we are all happy with the space provided inside. Check timing belt, and tires. Expensive to replace.

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  Possible Headache with Nightmare - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Possible Nightmare - February 5 - 1:06 am

  The sideview mirros are smaller and you can misjudge your clearance to pass. The engine valve are louder ....have had 3 recalls. I took it back and the claim it was repaired.. it is louder. The drivers side door is warped! The front speakers in the door are crackling...no one told you could put change in the top tray.. which fell down behind the dash.. no telling what damage that will cause.. get this you cant slide them out.. after I pay this off ... I am going back to Nissan...

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  Awesome Car!! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sherrile39 - February 4 - 5:33 pm

  I was a former Jetta owner. The biggest mistake I have ever made was trading that Jetta in on a Ford Mustang GT. I have learned the biggest lesson of my life! Never again! Its unbelievable the torgue this little car has. You better hang on or shell get away from you. I love the tiptronic transmission. So whatever mood I am in I can adjust the shifter to what I need, making it very fun to drive. The sport suspension gives it a great handling ride. It offers everything I need, from the sunroof to the 17 inch wheels. Stylish car inside and out. I love this car. VW I am so glad to be back!

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  A genuinely great car! - 2004 Volkswagen Golf
  By colin1444 - February 4 - 8:26 am

  Got this for my first car. Ive wanted one for a very long time, and I bought it with 95,600 miles and a clean service history record. Not a problem since, just regular maintenance. Drives like a little sports car, and the trunk is huge for a car this size. I love how light and agile it is. It might be slow, but its more fun to drive slow cars fast than fast cars slow! I would definitely recommend this to anyone, especially since it comes in two- or four-door models. Without a doubt, one of the most well-made cars out there. NICE JOB VW!

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  VW Stinks - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By McKenzie - February 4 - 3:20 am

  Lemon Alert! This car is a great, fast, sexy model, but its mechanical reliability is horrible. VW has a serious problem with premature clutch blowouts at less than 50,000 miles. $2,000 later I have to sell the car because of a problem they say is my fault. As an experianced manual driver, this is more than an insult. This is a sham. VW of America is a racket! At 47,000 miles a clutch should not blow out! Every mechanic I spoke to has told me that even if I was a cluch rider, this should not have happened. This is not an isolated incident. Google "vw clutch failure" and you will get thousands of reports from VW owners for the same premature blowout. This is the last VW I will ever own...