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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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned or Driven - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Rocket Pilot - October 14 - 10:20 am

  This car is much, much better than I expected. It is very fun to drive. I love the turbo boost! It accelerates from 80 mph faster than from 20-40 mph. Driving at high speeds feels like 40 or 50 mph. This car is an autobahn burner. The handling is sublime. I love the balance, it sure does not feel like a front wheel car until the front tires do a burn out when the turbo kicks in at 40 mph! Wow! The transmission is fantastic: it shifts, its not a slush box. It is reasonably quiet. The Luxury Package gives it a beautiful and classy interior. It is much better than any BMW 3-Series Ive ever driven (I have not driven the latest M3), and more fun. It has better handling than the Audi A4. And nothing can compare to the top!

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  Beetles are Extremely Uncomfortable - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By baileym12 - October 14 - 12:13 am

  I bought my 1999 Volkswagen Beetle because I was looking for a car with good gas milage three months ago. I have to comute at least 60 miles one way to work. The seats are extremely uncomfratable, to the point where I have extreme back pain and I have to use a towel to support my lower back. The quality inside stinks, it is very poorly designed, has bad cup holders, and everything is plastic and falls off. The side mirrors are postioned very high so there is a big blind spot when you take left turns, which is very dangerous at night. The only thing that the Beetle has going for is its gas milage and reliablity. It says 32 mpg, but I can manage 34-36mpg. I havent had any problems mechanically, but the unbearable cabin design forced me to trade it in.

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  The Perfect Car - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By i9er9er - October 13 - 3:40 pm

  My Volkswagen Rabbit is awesome! I have had it for awhile now and I love it!

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  Great Car - Aweful Value - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By John - October 13 - 3:56 am

  I bought a 07 Touareg a little over a year ago. At first I was very happy. But after a year a lot started happening to it. Little things... But what topped it over, after 34k miles I now have to drop 1700 for 4 new breaks and rotters. Buyer beware... if you buy a touareg you will be dropping a ton of money in it to keep it up - do yourself a favor - go buy a Acura or a Toyota... Stay away from the Touareg and your wallet will appreciate it...

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  Touareg - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mary - October 12 - 10:40 pm

  Handles like a sports car with SUV room and feel.

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  Third One is a Charm too - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By txlazer - October 12 - 10:03 am

  This is my third VW and my 2nd Passat. My first Passat being a 2004 GLS 1.8 turbo. Last weekend I wrecked my 04 in a 60 mhp accident I walked away with only a small cut on my right wrist from a chain I was wearing, the car was totaled. The other car (a 4-Runner was a mess too) that being said I started looking around for another car to buy, with all the deals today IE: employee pricing and 0% interest I checked out almost every maker of cars in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. Nothing out there compares with a Passat unless you want to spend twice as much on a new BMW. The new 06 Passat seems to be a totally differant car then my 04 model. It drives much smoother, faster, it feels like a Mercedes-Benz. Try this car first!

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  Jetta Trek...What an amazing car. - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mardin - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 97 VW jetta from a private party. It is my first car. I have had it for just over a year now and have put about 5000 miles on it since purchase. This car runs great, very reliable and always fun to drive. Everywhere I go I turn heads, because the car is in such good shape and just a sight to see. I would reccomend a 5 speed VW jetta (esp Trek) to anyone looking for a dependable car with great handling, a smooth ride, and more power than you would espect from a normal 4 cyl. car.

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  THE Sport-hatch Standard Bearer - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By JRaegen - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought mine from a cousin who has worked for VW/Porsche/Audi for 15 years. He recommended the 1.8T vs. the VR6 due to weight and handling issues. I agree with him. 2nd gear is a blast with the torque screaming through. The suspension is stiff, and body-roll not bad for a "tall" coupe. I have two small children, and its no problem taking them on trips of 4 hours or under. Kudos also to the instruments and the blue back-lighting (although a boost gauge wouldnt hurt). You can take about 80-85% of the cars out there off the line, and it handles very well at speed. No vibrations, shakes or drifting.

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  check engine light... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By battalax - October 12 - 10:00 am

  did alot of research before buying the car, to see that I was getting my moneys worth..still love the car when the check engine light is not on...

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  Love my Jetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By knjvic - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jetta. I just wish the Wolfsburg came with leather. The only things I would change about my car would be the cup holders (had a full soda fly out on a turn ALL over the passenger side), more rear passenger room, and leather. Hated the Monsoon sound system it came with, changed it out. I am seriously considering buying a 2005 GLI Jetta when my lease is up in 2005, for the leather, but not sure how I will like it without the turbo.