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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  Review - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By beatriz roldan - November 5 - 3:30 pm

  Safe car, fun to drive, beautiful to look at, lousy on gas, strong response when needed, beautiful interior design

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  Polished, fun and safe ride--a true gem! - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By ct1010 - November 4 - 5:56 pm

  I was looking for a 4WD car that would be fun to drive, look good and be safe for myself and baby. I tested several cars and researched just about every vehicle under 40K. The Tiguan has a very clean and elegant look--not overdone at all--and a polished exterior as well. It drives great, handles ice and snow beautifully, and has an excellent safety profile. While a bit pricier than your usual compact SUVs (Im talking to you, Honda, Toyota & Subaru), the Tiguan is in a class by itself. If you enjoy having a car that is attractive, fun, safe and not the same ho-hum, check out the Tiguan.

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  Love My Passat! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mich63 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Unfortunately, I must sell my Passat to get a mini-van because of twin toddlers and I need the space.I have been driving my Passat for 4.5 years and love it!The performance is like driving a sports car. Hugs the road,accelerates fast(I have a 5 speed), and is very fun to drive. The leather package is very comfortable and feel very safe in this car. Stereo sound system is great!The car is very quiet when.The only problem that I have with this car is the electric sunroof. When I close the sunroof, it bounces back open.Ive had this fixed before and problem is back again. Also the 6 cd changer is broken and needs to get fixed as well.

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  Door/Window Rattles? Look Here! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steigs - November 3 - 10:00 am

  For those of you with Window/ and Door rattles. The solution is to lubricate the door seals on the car itself.Even if you think this cannot possibly be the source of your rattles try this anyway. The best stuff to use for this is a product called Gumipledge(Sp?) It is sold by BMW dealers for about $8. They have the same issue with there cars. Lube up all the door seals and any rubber on the doors themselves. Be sure to get some on the top rubber door seal that runs along the top of the car. In addition spray white lithium grease in your door locks and hinges I guarantee this will work for many of you and your car will be rattle free. Good Luck!!!

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  Truly Under-Appreciated - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By BWestinDC - November 3 - 3:00 am

  I leased my 08 Passat as an upgrade from a 5-cyl Jetta, opting for the 4- cyl Lux after test-driving the 8-cyl Phaeton for good measure. The acceleration on the 4-cyl is amazing - better than the 8-banger. And fuel economy is often up to 30+mph on my DC commute (recently rated worse than LA). VW doesnt get enough credit or positive publicity for the genius engineering theyve done to produce such a car. Ride quality is tremendous. Interior finishes outpace Lexus. Cargo capacity is amazing. All-in-all, I confidently recommend this car to anyone currently shopping. Its performance will knock your socks off.

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  Love that Turbo! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dadrad - November 2 - 12:33 am

  I switched to Volkswagen after driving Hondas and was a little nervous about reliability. Ater 2 years and 25,000 miles, no problems whatsoever! I love the turbo power and styling of the car. Much more fun to drive than a Honda!

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  I love this car - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettalover14 - November 1 - 9:20 am

  This is my first VW and I have to admit Ive always dreamed of owning one. I went into the dealership to buy a rabbit but saw the deal on the Jettas and fell in love with this car. Her name is Annie. Yep, I named her. I love everything about this car. Its functional, holds insane amounts of my stuff (I moved three times this spring in it), the gas mileage is just awesome, I have everything I want. Cup holders, easy to reach radio and CD controls, a beautiful blue glow at night, bright headlights, I cant say enough about the steering. This car is just fun to drive!

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  Fun Car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Joe - November 1 - 2:46 am

  Dealer delivered on all promises. Car came with zero delivery defects. Handles great, fun to drive, looks good, and gets great gas milage. Its a blast to drive and I look forward to going places in it. With the reliablity rating from Consumer Reports, I was a little worried, but it seems as if all the "bugs" are out of the New Beetle with the 2005 model, and so far its 100%. Get one, youll love it, especially the convertible!

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  HappyTrails - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Dick Scott - November 1 - 12:23 am

  This car has made my parting with my 17 year old SAAB 9000 Turbo 5M a lot easier than expected. The looks, sport ride, electronics, etc., etc., are outstanding. Its so quiet I have to watch my speed!! The 4 banger with the 6M is a great match. The thought that has gone into the interior lay out is impressive. I am quickly bonding with my "baby blue".

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  Sprinter with an Achilles wheel (tire?) - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Stranded in IL - October 31 - 10:06 pm

  I would have been happier with a GTI VR6 – and $8000 in my pocket! My third VW, the R32 seduced me with its exhaust rumble, and impressive fit and finish. The Koenig seats are comfortable but awkward to get into and difficult to fold. Considering the 400 hp Vette gets better mileage, Im disappointed. Worst of all, Ive already ruined two $200 tires by hitting minor highway imperfections! The dimwit who eliminated the spare tire should be fired – or better yet, shot! After spending an extra $1000 for A/S performance tires (and a spare that takes up trunk space), Im still not happy. Looking for potholes gets old. Anybody want a slightly used R32?