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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  CV Boots and Axles - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Miami, Florida - June 4 - 10:26 am

  Three years old with 22,000 total miles. Vehicle driven less than 3 miles to work and back 5x a week. Personal use only. Overall, happy with styling and performance, features. Highway mpg is 30 plus with air on. Original Continental tires had to be replaced at 19,000 miles. CV boots outer and inner and both front axles replaced at 21,900 miles by dealer with free parts but we paid labor of $195.00. After 4 new tires, balance and wheel alignment at 19,000 miles, vehicle continues to pull right. Dealer says its normal. Rear brakes needed and done when boots/axles replaced. Rotors cant be turned because VW does not manufacture with enough tolerance to permit it.

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  New Passast has Grown Up - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By magic1234 - June 4 - 4:00 am

  I just got the new Passast 3.6 and got rid of my Audi A4 with 160,000 miles on it. The Audi was a 4-cyl. quarttro and had lot of problems. So far I love the Passast. It reminds me of an Audi A6. The engine is strong and ride is ideal. I feel that the Passast has really grown up and can now compete with BMW and Audi.

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  Costly - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By John - June 3 - 11:53 am

  I purchased the car with 13,000 miles. In March 05 At the 50,000 guess what changed the water pump,temp gauge and did the timing belt. Very costly. April 08at 75,000 miles the check engine light came on. The dealership found 2 faulty spark plug wires and the coils were gone.October 08 at 80,000 miles another timing belt, the water pump wasnt working and had two leaks. November 18, 2008 the EPC light came on. The dealership found 3 codes that could of triggered the EPC. The dealership reset the codes cost $97.00. Now November 19, 2008 the EPC light came back on!. Since I had the car this list is totals about $2,500.00 My wife has a 02 passat same problems. Her EPC light at 85,000 miles.

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  my 2004 VW Touareg 3200cc - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By evelyn10 - June 3 - 8:42 am

  I bought this great car 6 month ago with 67000 miles and I am so happy, no problems, this is the best SUV I ever had, I made a check at VW to controll everything and I had nothing to pay, this is a real great and reliable car and sooo luxury inside

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  Cute Car - Fun to Drive - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AB54 - June 3 - 6:33 am

  I just signed the lease on my car last week. So far, it has been great. Its cute and fun to drive. It is my first new car, so I am enjoying the new car smell :) I traded in my Acura 3.2 CL Type S, so I do feel like I am missing a little bit of power. The Jetta seems a bit sluggish. Still, I am really excited about the car. Super sweet!

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  Not Impressed - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pashizzle - June 2 - 11:56 pm

  Really wanted to love this car. Ive been doing Honda and Nissan forever and wanted to experience some German engineering. Be careful what you wish for - its been in the dealer longer than Ive had it, literally, for drivetrain vibration issues, throttle lag and mysterious tranny behavior. I hope VW can make this car what I expected it to be, a German engineered high value performance sedan. I may have to go back to Honda...

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  2003 EuroVan GLS - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By BobT - June 2 - 9:36 pm

  This couldnt have bought a more versatile van. Its roomy and seats seven adults very comfortably.

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  Tires/Suspension - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By vman - June 2 - 4:40 pm

  Fun to drive and excellent winter driving vehicle. Problem: Tire cupping and road noise after 5-6000 miles. Have had tires replaced on two occasions, two alignments and at 32,000 miles VW now says they wont fully warranty the tire issue. Issues not fully resolved yet!!

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  Vehicle rear ended - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By SOLID BUILD - June 2 - 3:33 pm

  This VW gti 2010 is extremely fast, it really wants to say let me go! I am a safe driver with no accidents in thirty years. I was rear ended with no major damage, this car is amazing? The truck that hit me was damaged much more. If you were looking for the BMW 1 series handling and interior for half the price you found it. The smooth shifting with a manual is extremely easy, the interior is glove like with cloth? And every detail has been refined with the arm rest too comfortable, better locking motions than all previous models since I had previous generations. The standards in the base gti come with it all like touch radio, excellent radio connections for iphone and more.

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  Sweet Ride - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ethan - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought our wagon with about 24k on it, it now has 56k and weve had 32k problem free miles. We were looking to replace it just to get something newer but realized that was pretty unnecessary. Nothing except a newer Passat wagon has the same space with the same features. Its not a performance machine but does nicely on the freeway and twisty roads.