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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  Fantastic - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWman - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car and my first vehicle. It is sporty enough to keep me happy but calm and luxurious to please passengers. The styling both interior and exterior is excellent- there arent many other cars in the world that look as classy as this.

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  Car Rocks!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kent Ages - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have read all the previous customer reviews, and I am just appalled that a car of this caliber can receive so much negative criticism. Maybe these people just are unhappy with their lives and nothing will ever be good enough for them. If this car is so horrible why dont you just go buy a $250K Ferrari or something. Bottom line, this car rocks!!! Anyone who says otherwise knows not what they do. Also another key ingredient for a pleasant experience for car ownership has to be the dealer in which it is purchased. I feel much better now. VW keep up the excellent work!!!

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  CAnt stop smiling - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By AlexWalex - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Moving from 98 Passat to 2001 and 1/2 Passat was a pleasure. More power, outstanding ergonomics, excellent handling.

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  A Pleased New Owner - GLS Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By JBR - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I was originally considering the Jetta GLS with the Lux/leather options. Then I drove the Passat and I had to go for it. The base model suits me just fine. I really LOVE this car. The 5 speed is fun to drive and the Monsoon sound is the best. It feels like a much more expensive car. The ride is rock solid. I had an Audi 200 (1990) before this and feel that I traded up to the Passat. The amenities are plentiful. I especially like the lights under the door panels which illuminate upon exit and entry. I obviously, highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Max - December 7 - 9:10 pm

  This car is great. It has every feature imaginable. For around 25 thousand, you can get an amazing car, around 10 times better than any Nissan. Safety is good. It has 8 airbags, which are depowered and they turn off if very light people are sitting in the front seats. Reinforced metal bars in the doors. Fast and you do not feel the gears changing. GREAATTT CAR!!!!

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  What a Dream.. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By JNGALT52 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I looked at the Volvo 60 and the Passet. No contest. I am in sales and am in my car all day long. The car is very comfortble and the 4 cyl. Turbo along with the 5 Speed Tip-Tronic Auto gets my car up to freeway speed in a flash. Fit and finish is excellent. I am very pleased with this car.

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  Great Little Car - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Lynn, Basking Ridge - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is car clearly the best one Ive ever owned (even better than my BMW). Its pickup is awesome for a four- cylinder car. The instrumentation is easy to read and the interior is VERY roomy. The Monsoon audio is acoustically pleasing. Great German handling and solid construction.

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  Forget the 2.0L motor - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By 8u6hfd - December 7 - 2:00 am

  The TDI motor is well worth the extra $1000 over the 2.0L motor. It has so much low-end torque, it makes it extremely driveable and fun. It has some features you cannot get for this price, such as Heated mirrors & Heated seats. The plastics has a nice soft touch feel to it, very pleasing to touch. Fuel economy? 54 mpg on the highway. It stretches to fuel bill well.

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  The Ultimate Hot Hatch - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By Tony - December 6 - 7:33 pm

  This car really has it all. Pick up (0-60 6 secs), amenities (touch screen radio is top shelf), practicality (hatchback & four doors), handling (XDS), and looks/style. And all this for an excellent price (between $25K- $28K, depending on your options). I really dig the new styling (front and rear are big improvements over the bulbous MkV). I still love the plaid seats and the red stitching gives the interior a very upscale feel. I love the bluetooth (very clear) and the iPod integration is near perfect. There have been a lot of reviews wanting more hp, but with this amount of pick up and midrange torque, I wouldnt care if it had 150, 200 or 250 hp...as long as it drives like this!!

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  Best Ever - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By bob shulman - December 6 - 2:20 pm

  My previous SUV was am Acura MDX, which I was totaly satisfied with. The Volkswagen drives so much better, feels better (its the euro feeling), same mileage, much more power, but everyday I enjoy the vehicle more and more, its not the Volkswagen our parents had years ago.