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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  I loved my car, but it was unreliable. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vdub4lyfe - November 14 - 2:42 am

  I got a jetta turbo. the timing belt blew, then the tranny went out. i sold it cheap and bought a bug. I loved the jetta. I would buy another one, but i fell in love with the bug. make sure you check the history with any foreign car. especially make sure the timing belt was changed before you bought it and that the oil has been changed regularly. And dont let the VW dealer lie to you and steal your money.

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  One fun (and fast) box on wheels! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By TSL - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive! If you prefer a cushy, no bumps, no effort type of drive, this car is not for you. If you love to drive a car for the shear enjoyment of driving, I think that you would be hard pressed to find a comparable car for the money. The handling is quick and precise, and the VR6 provides power whenever you need it. Some reviewers havent liked the Monsoon sound system, but I definitely do. The jury is still out for me in terms of how well it will hold up, and I havent been impressed by the service so far. I have to admit that I worried that it was assembled in Brazil, but so far, so good.

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  Grrr!! - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Grrrr - November 13 - 6:53 am

  I love my car, especially since its paid off. But in september an ignition coil went out., Then in march 2 more went within 2 weeks of each other. Now less than 4 weeks later another one has just gone out. The only thing saving me from driving this car off a cliff, besides the repairs being covered under warranty, is the fact there is only 1 ignition coil left to go out. And VW wont replace it until it fails. I just hope it doesnt happen late at nite or when im on my way to an interview. I just dont need this aggrevation, but since I dont have a job I cant go trade this in. Hopefully the 5th coil will go out soon and I can stop worrying...

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  Great vehicle, But - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By sasquatch7 - November 12 - 11:04 pm

  Our new 2012 is a great vehicle in many ways. The build quality, ride,handling, comfort and handling are one of the best. It also has many items that come standard that are options on other vehicles in this catagory. What it falls short in is the lack of available safety options that are available on similar level vehicles. No Blis system, adaptive cruise, surround cameras. All of which are available on the Touaregs European models. I read where VW execs. said USA buyers would not want to pay extra for these options.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dreno276 - November 11 - 5:36 am

  I purchased the GLI just over two weeks ago, and I have put over a thousand miles on it because I cant stop driving it. I love the way the car handles, performs, and looks. You get a real German sports car feeling with the GLI that just cant be matched for the price. The car seems to have endless power, and handles like its on rails. I bought the base model with the plaid cloth, and had the dealer install the iPod adapter, and feel that Im not missing a thing. I have owned many Hondas, and traded a 2005 Altima for the GLI, and there is just no comparison.

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  Wow!! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MannyT - November 10 - 9:43 pm

  I just purchased a VW 2008 Jetta S automatic. From the moment I test drove it I was sold. I test drove every other compact sedan just to make sure but the Jetta is head and shoulders above the competition. Not to mention that you get sooo much for your money. Many standard features on the VW are options on the other vehicles. This is a classy car with great performance and comfort. The boost in horsepower in the 2008 models is definitely nice to have. The trunk is huge! Great interior design and layout. I can go on and on. IF you havent test driven one yet... its a must!!

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  Definitely Fun to Drive and Looks GREAT! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Scott - November 9 - 5:26 am

  I love to drive my Passat. It truely has the "fun to drive" factor. I have the 2.0L turbo/auto. The automatic transmission is a 6-speed, you dont see that very often. You do not need a manual when the auto. will let you drive in either manual +/- up and down shifting or just plain automatic. If that is not enough, you have a choice of a 5-speed sport auto. mode or a 6-speed auto. mode. The only problem so far was the 6 disc in dash had to be replaced. They had to send to Germany for a new one. I still have yet to get my CDs mailed back. Im very pleased with the balance of sport and performance and the feel of luxury.

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  Good Car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Phil - November 8 - 5:26 am

  Bought the car new and have had very few problems. Replaced the glow plugs at 100,000, and fuel economy is not what it used to be ... but it still gets over 40 mpg. Great car on the highway or country driving. Feels like a sports car.

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  Great Value & Fun to Drive! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By S.Fong - November 6 - 10:23 pm

  I searched for a replacement car for quite awhile and having been out of the new car market for years, I was shocked to see how much technology has changed and how much I have been missing. The newly designed Volkswagen Jetta captured my interest and heart right away with its snazzy new style, front grille and tail lamps. But moreover, it was the interior comfort and quality that was noticeable compared to the competition. The car is a blast to drive, it has power and zips around to make it fun and enjoyable. I felt the overall value for the quality and integrity of the car made it an obvious choice for me. I realized I didnt have to bust the bank to get a great new car.

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  12,000 miles and going strong - 2011 Volkswagen Routan
  By fairest - November 6 - 10:26 am

  We purchased the 2011 Routan for our summer driving season. This van has been great for us. The navigation and ent. system are very easy to use. It is also nice to have the various electronic access points in the rear seats. We drove the van 12,000 this summer and cannot be disappointed.