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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  My Turbo - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RRB - December 1 - 2:00 am

  A few too many recalls for windows & electrical. But the service from the dealership has been great. When looking at this and other cars, I was looking for something fun to drive and I had to stay under a $50K budget. There were no other requirements. This was one of the most exciting to drive and it came in at less then half the budget. The gas mileage might not what youd expect, but I can handle 27 city, 31 hwy. Dont get this one with an automatic, what fun is that!

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  WOW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Justin - November 30 - 10:16 pm

  I just got this Jetta after owning an Audi A4. It handles better, the pickup is better, and so too is the fuel economy. With the new body style, you no longer feel like you are driving around in your little brothers car. This is an amazing car. The interior is plush and well thought out, and the exterior is sleek and refined. My only advice would be to be sure to spring for the 2.0T engine. While the other styles do offer ample power, the 2.0T really gives you excellent go power. I will never buy another Audi again, not because they arent wonderful too...but because the only thing missing from the VW is the five rings on the front...oh, and the larger pricetag.

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  Awesome! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By ShopCar - November 30 - 4:43 pm

  Well worth waiting for. We were inches away from buying a different SUV (compact) So glad we waited. If you have ever driven a GTI, or Jetta with the 2.0T, this SUV is just that but you sit up higher, and it is AWD. Seats are very comfy and supportive. Lots of room in the rear sets. The icing on the cake is the panoramic moonroof WOW!!!! and has an extra electric screen that will cover the open moonroof. Also handles bumps in the road very.

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  Dah Vdubyah!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By flyjetta - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Well.. I like my Jetta. I bought it in February of 2000. Since then its been very reliable. I had the maf go and it had to be replaced. I do aftermarket modifications so I was really nervous about things going wrong. The car has done well... the interior rattles alot. The window hasnt fallen but knock on wood.. yeah.. I know it has its problems.. but how else can you get heated seats, mirrors, washers, european feel and look, super adjustable seats, telescoping wheel and tons of safety features for around 20k? Nowhere.. every car has quirks.. check the safety ratings of a vdub.. and youll see you are safe riding in one..

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  I dont know if Id recommend this car! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaSacto - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Initially, I have to admit that I was more happy of owning my Jetta; afterall, it is a VR6/GLX! However, after driving it for just a year, or lets say 12,000 miles later its computer system strated to get weired on me. I did not appreciate having to bring it in for service three times to the shop within an extent of 4 months! Well, thats not all. The electronic windows started to malfunction both the passenger and driver side. Huhhh...Im fed up of this crap. Poor quality control is obvious. I hope that the German engineers who developed the Jetta had put more thought into quality check.

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  Athletic yet elegant car - Fun to drive - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Thanh - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 2002 Jetta GLI VR6 with 6M for a couple of weeks and love every moment I spend driving it. The engine pulls strongly without much efforts. The handling is also excellent. Love everything about it.

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  I love my TDI Jetta - 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
  By James Villanueva - November 29 - 6:28 pm

  Love the handling, very precise with mpgs!

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  2000 Volkswagen Beetle - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sandy - November 29 - 9:43 am

  I purchased this car for my daughter. Its the worst car weve ever had. Major problems. Interior parts come off in your hand. Go to web sites before purchasing a bug. I traded it for a Saturn!

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  Lots of "Wow" - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By USN - November 29 - 8:06 am

  7,000 miles. Tiptronic trans is great for heavy traffic and freeway ramps. All materials and assembly are 1st class. Test drive it at night: the lighting is "wow". It eats up the interstate-great chasis/ride/handling!

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  2008 Passat wagon 2.0T - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By passatpilot - November 29 - 4:46 am

  Focuses on differences with 2001-2005 model: Pluses: - Better handling, more handsome car overall -Great engine, quieter at high rpms -interior design, controls improved with few minuses mode" and wheel controls. -good overall size for a 4 people, cargo room on par with many SUVs -sophisticated 6sp auto with "sport mode Minuses: -Cheap "Golf/Jetta" platform has no sophisticated suspension from old A4,car bounces up and down with wider 16/18" tires -much louder at highway speed then the old model -driving position is less comfortable (higher chair position) -unrefined truck like idle engine sound -some cheaper interiors and controls -less fun to drive, lots of electronics -no manual brake