Volkswagen Car Shipping Rates for College Students and Beyond

When Leslie graduated from her undergraduate program at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and accepted a full scholarship for a doctoral study in engineering at Stanford University in California, she was excited. Her parents? Not so much. They were dreading the thought of their only daughter driving, alone, across the country in her Volkswagen Passat. 

When it comes to auto transport and college, parents will be pleased to know that they can find affordable college student car transport, thus ensuring that their child will have the convenience of their car without the hidden dangers of driving across the country on unfamiliar roadways. Call National Transport LLC today at 1.800.665.5022 to find out more about auto transport for college students or to address any general questions or concerns that you may have about the auto shipping process and what's involved. We're here to help!

History of Volkswagen

Volkswagen, also called the VW, is a a German car company that became one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, eventually scooping up Audi, Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT, Scania, and Skoda, all of them various car and truck manufacturers in Germany as well as around the world. The VW got its start in 1937, right around the time that World War II began, and it did so with the slogan is Das Auto, which in English is The Car. Volkswagen itself stands for the “people’s car.” 

Volkswagen began as a luxury car when the German Labour Front founded it, which was the Nazi party’s trade union at the time. Originally named Gessellschft zu Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagen mbH when Adolf Hitler sponsored the state program that made the original Volkswagen possible, this original was supposed to be affordable to all German Citizens who were part of the Third Reich. This affordability would come from a scheme to save 990 Rechsmark, the native currency of the time.  

The person responsible for the design of the original Volkswagen was Ferdinand Porsche, who did so in 1934 at a government owned factory. Porsche was the Mercedes 170 H designer and the namesake of the Porsche automobile. From this point on, Volkswagen was able to make it through the war intact, although after Hitler died, Major Ivan Hirst saved the company even though it was labeled as a military production factory and as such, should have been demolished. Nevertheless, Hirst persuaded the British government to order cars to be made, and from there the company skyrocketed into what we know it as today, the finest car maker in the world. 

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle, also known as the VW Bug, is probably the most well-known and infamous of all Volkswagen models worldwide and of all time. The Volkswagen Beetle began life in 1938 with the engine in the rear, where the truck should have been. Later, it was discontinued entirely in 2003 and the last one was manufactured in Puebla, Mexico 63 years after the original Beetle was produced. These earlier models featured rear wheel drive, and even had air conditioning of sorts – it was the longest selling Volkswagen of all time. 

The new version of the Beetle was introduced in 1998, and it was dubbed the New Beetle. This version features a complete redesign and ended up with the motor in the “proper place” under the front hood. While this version is not nearly as popular as the original was, it still sells quite well. Featuring front wheel drive on all four of its current models that include a two door, two door with sunroof, two door with Sunroof, navigation and sound system, and a Beetle Turbo – also a two door. All but the Turbo contain a 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower 5-cylinder engine and a five speed manual transmission, while the Turbo features a 2.0 liter 200 horsepower engine with a 6 speed manual transmission.

Volkswagen Passat CC

The Volkswagen Passat CC, originally manufactured in 2008, is an offshoot of the original Passat, which itself was originally manufactured in 1973. The CC is a four door cleaner version of the Passat that stands for Comfort Coupe. Released as a semi luxury car, the CC  is based on the original, but is slightly longer, lower to the ground and wider than its namesake. 

Starting at just over $28,000, some of the CC features that help this version of the Passat stand out include a chrome grill, Alloy wheels, and its engine, which is a sporty 2.0 liter, 200 horsepower 4-cylinder inline motor – the same as the GTI. 

The transmission is a six speed manual using a Direct Shift Gearbox twin clutch and offering 4motion all wheel drive and four wheel independent suspension. Also available is an optional 3.6-liter engine, which is an automatic transmission. The newest version of the CC also features Anti lock braking system, and it even comes with a three-year or 36,000 mile warranty.

Volkswagen EOS

Successor to the Golf Cabriolet, the Volkswagen EOS is a different sort of car available from Volkswagen. In fact, the EOS features a retractable hardtop convertible – the first one since the Rabbit’s convertible in its older years – and it seats four people. Named after the Greek Goddess of the Dawn from ancient mythology. The Volkswagen EOS was the first coupe produces since the Corrado was released in 1995. 

Starting at a base price of just under $34,000, the newest model of the Volkswagen EOS features three model variants, the Lux, the Komfort, and the Executive and all of these models use a front wheel drive system. All three models feature a 2.0-liter 200 horsepower turbocharged in line 4 cylinder engine. These motors feature an intercooler, and a six speed automatic transmission featuring DSG Tiptronic and of course, the Sport mode. Since its release the EOS has become one of the more popular cars sold by Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Golf

The original Volkswagen Golf, originally manufactured in 1974, is to date one of the best selling Volkswagens and in its 37 years has seen a few minor redesigns and a couple major redesigns, including a few offshoots as well. Originally marketed as a family car, the Golf is a front wheel drive in all its generations. The original was also slated for release as the Volkswagen’s Beetle bug car, and it sold as a hatchback style for most of its long life. 

Today’s Golf, the 2011 model, comes in four versions, a two door, four door and a two and four door with a convenience and sunroof, for a total of four available models. The Golf lines begins at just under $18,000 and it features a 2.5-liter 170 horsepower 5-cylinder engine with ESC, or Electronic Stability Control. The two-door transmission is a standard 5 speed manual, but the four door models feature a six speed manual instead. To date, the Golf has remained the third best selling VW car of all time word wide

Volkswagen GTI

The Volkswagen GTI is a sportier version of the Volkswagen Golf, and is also called the Rabbit GTI. One of the most well known American budget focused Volkswagen cars available, as of 2007 it had sold more than 25 million worldwide. What makes this car different and bestselling is its engine, braking system, suspension and stylized trim. 

Originally released in the U.S. in 1983, the GTI started with a 1.8 liter, 90 horsepower motor, and a later model featured a 2.0 FSI turbocharged motor that instead of 90 horsepower produces 197 horsepower. 

Today’s 2011 Volkswagen GTI comes in three model versions, a two door, four door and a two door that also has a convenience and Sunroof. Priced starting at just over $23,00, all three 2012 GTI models offer drivers a 2.0 liter 16 valve  TSI 4-cylinder, 200 horsepower motor and 207 foot/pounds of torque. Offering only a six speed manual transmission, the VW GTI is truly a sportier version of the Golf.  

Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagon

The Volkswagen Jetta sport wagon is almost the same exact car as the Jetta coupe, but in a station wagon version that offers a sport, turbocharged engine. Starting at just under $20,000 for the base model (no extras) the differences between the original Jetta and the Sportwagon are few. Some of these differences include the engine of the Sportwagon model, the space available, a panoramic sunroof, and stylizations in the front when it reached its sixth generation. 

The current model of the Sportwagon includes four model variants, the S, SE< SE with Sunroof and the TDI. All but the TDI feature a 2.5 liter, 170 horsepower 5-cylinder engine and the TDI features a 2.0 liter 140 horsepower 4 cylinder diesel engine. The Jetta Sportwagon S and TDI feature a five speed manual transmission while the SE and SE with sunroof feature a 6-speed manual in addition to a sport mode. With the extra space and similar motor, the Jetta Sportwagon is a bit nicer than the original, especially if you have to fit more people in it.

Volkswagen Jetta 

Originally released in 1979 by Volkswagen Group for the group known as Volkswagen Passenger Cars, the Volkswagen Jetta is probably one of the most popular of all Volkswagen cars today, with the exception of the VW Beetle. The Jetta is classified as a compact car perfectly fit for a family, and it has had numerous names over its production life including Sagitar, City Jetta, Bora, Atlantic, Vento, and others. 

The current Jetta, known as the Mark 5 is the fifth generation Jetta and it features a longer wheelbase, increased interior space by 91 cubic feet, and increased luggage compartment space to 16 cubic feet in addition to the addition of the independent rear suspension. This suspension is very similar to the Ford Focus suspension. 

The Jetta design in each of its iterations came from the Golf by adding a typical trunk space to the Golf design – another popular car by VW. The rest of the Jetta design features front-end stylings that are somewhat different from the Golf in addition to interior styling that is also different. The Jetta models offered include the station wagon, which has the typical four doors plus a back door, and the two and four door versions. To date, over 10 million Volkswagen Jettas have been sold worldwide, with about 3.3 million sold in the U.S.

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen decided that it needed a larger sedan, a family car that would fit more passengers and as such designed the Passat in 1973. Since then, it has seen six redesigns, one for each generation, meaning it is currently in its sixth generation. Another Volkswagen with multiple names, some of them include the Quantum, the Santana, Dasher, Corsar and Carat, among others. The Passat was originally supposed to replace the Volkswagen Beetle, and it as it features a modernized front wheel drive system and an engine that was cooled with water. 

Even though the current iteration of the Volkswagen Passat was launched January of 2011 featuring much larger body than its predecessors, a version made especially for sale in the U.S, the Passat retains the design of the 2010 version. Featuring changes to its headlights and the front grill in addition to a newly added system that detects driver fatigue, an emergency brake system and a much longer wheelbase. The Volkswagen Passat is quite popular in the States, in addition to the Chinese and Indian versions.

Volkswagen Routan

The Volkswagen Routan is the Volkswagen version of a sport utility vehicle, or a cross between an SUV and a minivan. Originally manufactured in 2008, it is one of the newer, more modern models of Volkswagens available. At the time it was released, the Routan featured suspension tuning that is lifted from the Dodge Caravan, styling from the same, and its minivan styling from the Chrysler minivans versions. 

The current Volkswagen Routan is available in four models, the S, SE, SE with RSE, and the SE with RSE and Navigation abilities and they are priced between just over $27,000 to just under $25,000. All four offer seating for seven, a choice of a 3.8 liter, 283 horsepower V-six cylinder engine, and a 4.0 liter 251 horsepower V-six motor. The UltraDrive versions feature a six speed automatic transmission with the ability to switch to manual transmission. To date, the Routan has sold over 12 million worldwide, and it  is currently the 13th best selling Volkswagen in the world.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Introduced in 2006 as a conceptual vehicle, the Tiguan was finally released for sale in 2007. Since them, more than 700,000 have been sold worldwide. The Tiguan is a four cylinder Volkswagen, and it is currently available in three different and distinct models while offering two body styles, the Trend and Fun, the Sport and Style and the Track and field. A fourth model is available in the Netherlands called the Comfort and Design, which is an over accessorized Trend and Fun model. They are all offered in the S, SE and SEL model variants with a starting price of just under $20,000. 

The current models of the Tiguan feature a six speed automatic transmission, while the SE and ESEL feature a sport mode manual. They all have a 2.0 liter 200 horsepower engine with 4-cylinder turbocharged power behind them. As of 2011, more than 700,000 Tiguans have been sold worldwide since September 2007 and it continues to be a best seller today.

Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg is a different sort of Volkswagen. In fact, the Touareg is a sport utility vehicle that Volkswagen has classified as a crossover sport utility vehicle. Named for the people of Taureg, the Touareg features a V-10 engine and holds a world record for the heaviest load ever towed by a vehicle that is classified as a passenger car and this one is.  In fact, to win that record, the Touareg was able to tow a 747 during the filming of a Volkswagen advertisement for television. 

The newest models of the Touareg include the V6 Sport, Sport with Navigation, V6 Lux and the V6 Executive. They start at just under $43,000 for its base, no extras model. The engines available include a 3.6 liter V6 that features an FSI direct injection in addition to 280 horsepower and 265 pounds/foot of torque. All four model versions feature the Tiptronic Dynamic Shift Program which everyone knows as the DSP, and they have an 8-speed automatic transmission with sport mode.