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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  Fun to drive, but MANY quirks - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jfromphilly - September 17 - 4:09 pm

  My Jetta got totaled a few weeks back. She was a great car in many ways, (fast, fun to drive, gas efficient) & I got 130,000 miles out of her. However, I decided not to get another Jetta. Here are a few of the reasons: -Anytime theres a repair (and there will be many) you will pay $1000, minimum. -REEKS of crayons. (inevitably the first comment anyone makes setting foot inside the car) -Strange clicking noise coming from the turn signal -Lights turn on and wont turn off again (had to have the mechanic take them apart to get them off) -The electrical outlet/cig lighter stopped working a month in & after multiple repair attempts I had to just give up on it

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  Piece of Garbage - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By David Perruzza - September 14 - 2:36 pm

  Dont let the great ride and fancy features fool you, if you get a 2004 it is a lemon. The Thing was in the shop more then I drove it. Lots of interior issues with falling apart, apparently there are 27 recalls and when I went to trade it in I lost about 12,000 in 6 months. No dealer would even take it, I had to bring it to carmax.

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  Comfort (Yes): Dependable (No) - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Yvette - September 10 - 6:56 am

  I love the feel and ride of the Passat. The ride is comfortable, smooth and quiet. It would be a great car if it were dependable and VW would stand behind the "Warranty". If VW could match the dependibility with the style and comfort of the Passat VW would be unmatched.

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  no longer a vw lifer - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By nyc owner - September 8 - 9:40 am

  Had VWs since I was 16 and loved them all. Grew up, made some money, and went upscale. I loved this car a lot when I bought it. Its no tin can, its a solid car (reminded me of a Mercedes) with a smooth ride. So why did they cheap out on the interior with all the plastic? Then there was the overall durability. Seems that the car cant handle its own weight, and the NYC streets killed the tires and axles. Also, the engine strained to get the behemoth moving, and I learned fast that it did not stop on a dime like a Jetta. Then, the problems. Annoying rattle in dash that VW refused to fix after 3rd attempt, Then the cars 4 faulty ignition coils, ea caused separate trips to dealer

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  It’s not the German VW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sam - September 7 - 7:33 pm

  Bought this 2.5 Jetta new over 32kCND in Canada in 2006. First class maintenance with VW dealer and paint looks like new. Most of the drive on Hwy and no drive on manual mode. The fact is the transmission slips at gear 3, 4 and then 2 at 192k km (120kmiles). It’ll cost too much to rebuild or replace the transmission (VW quoted over $6kCND +tax replace). I expected to run this VW 250-300k km but only 190k km. So, it’s almost no value now. It is a good looking small VW. Pro: Looks like very well made car even after 10 years. Con: Loudly drive, too much bumping on Hwy. Overall: cost, small, vibration

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  VW Eurovan is a Lemon - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Jonathan Hochman - September 4 - 8:43 am

  I have had this vehicle back to the dealer multiple times to repair "brake failure" warnings. They are unable to repair. VW told me that they cant help me. I will NEVER buy another VW.

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  very poor insides - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By unsatisfiedcustomer - August 27 - 10:00 am

  you have 2 very poor dealersip repair shop in denver and do not keep there word.the one on colfax also does not tell the truth . does not carry about the customer. there is more!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Good Looking Junk Car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jane - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I regret purchasing this car. It has been in for ignition coild replacements with less that 5,000 miles on the car. BAsed on information from 6 VW owners with the same problem I learned that if it happened once it will happen again. Volkswagon customer service denies any problems even though they have a backorder on the parts. A BIG DISAPOINTMENT - UNRELIABLE

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  looks good, but doesnt hold up - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By annoyed in MA - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I test drove my brothers 2001 VW golf and loved it and decided to get a 2002 gls golf. Within the first year of having it i have had a lot of minor probs: all 4 doors completely freeze shut if there is freezing rain/snow, making me climb through the trunk and do power kicks to open them (and i am no weakling either), i had a faulty air intake boot clamp causing my car to completly stop running at rush hour on a highway exit ramp, an ABS recall, and lots of extra noises.

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  VW New Beatle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gilandis - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have has several problems with the vehicle. The most recurring problem has been with the windows switches. They have been replaced three times; two under warranty and once at my expense. The battery needed replacement after 3 years.