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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  Whats with the side chrome moldings - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Go2guy - April 23 - 4:30 pm

  Looked and drove the Highlander Limited, this Passat, and a Camry XLE. This Passat impressed us the most. I just bought the car and when I went to pick up the new car. It turns out both of the passenger side doors had badly damaged chrome strips. I refused to take the car until they were replaced. The manager said the problem with the chrome strips happens in about one in 20 Passat Wagons...he said the manufacture published a bulletin warning dealers about the problem. Im worried the car might have structural damage and the dealer is pulling my leg. Does anybody out there know anything about this problem? I pick up the car in two days. Sure would like to hear about the door issue.

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  Critical review - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By vwfan - April 21 - 10:00 am

  Have had trouble with the o2 sensor which is a recall item. It had to be replaced twice. The 40,000 mile check up cost around $500. The seats collect hair easily and are not easy to brush off. At cold temperatures, 0 degrees F Ive had trouble with the car not wanting to start, when this happens the airbag light and check engine light come on and have to be taken in to get reset.

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  So far so good - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hathcock90 - April 21 - 9:53 am

  Love my new TDI, I had had for 2 months now. Black on tan with every option. Nav, Kessy, Chrome. So far it has 5k miles and have had no issues great car. Compare quality and price. Free maintains is nice too. Had a issue with bluetooth dealer fixed in 5 minutes.

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  Ive Had Mine a Year, Time To Review... - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Eric - April 16 - 3:53 pm

  I bought this car even though I knew all about VWs terrible reputation for unreliable build quality, overpriced dealer service, and poor customer relations due to the 1.8T and its sludge issue. Why would anyone do that? I blame BBC America! Top Gears rave review and Jeremy Clarksons wistful reminiscences of his MKI Scirocco lured me into the dealership for a very fateful test drive. The GTI made my Scion TC feel like a Yugo; it was so much more responsive, faster, better brakes, agile, and afterward getting back into my faithful and dependable Toyota product was just depressing. The dealership screwed me on price and interest rate because I had to have the car right now and was a moron.

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  pass otty - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By matt hew - April 16 - 10:00 am

  luv the feel and performance, wish the styling were more defined

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  Rally style Dunbuggy - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Great Fast dunbuggy - April 14 - 10:00 am

  My Gti was the perfect car for me. I am a college student and I am more than likely always in a rush. The Gti has a great responsive clutch and the ability to grip the road better than most bmws along side with the performance the maintenance was extremely high than most its competitives but I rarely had to take it to the shop. I drove the car from California to Georgia with no problems or issues the ride was comfortable and enjoyableIve had it for two years and the quality was good compared to others of that same year. I had little problems with the electronics like the iPod connector and the windows.

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  Fun to drive costly to repair - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dissatisfied in SC - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a very fun car to drive with plenty of pep for a 1,9 diesel. Rear brakes go out first not the front as with other vehicles. The design and engineering is second to none for ergonomics and style but very poor quality of parts. The driverside window motor was replaced, the wiring harness is a common point of failure and the vent grills break easily. You will like the feel of this car but not the expense to own.

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  Looks great, built like crap - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By njpixie - April 14 - 12:50 am

  I have owned this car since March. I live in Florida, loved the design and the way it drove. Started having problems in the first week with the wheel bearings, then the conv. top made a rattling noise, now I have water coming in from the weather stripping around the top. Also, the paint quality on volkswagens isnt good. Chips occur during driving very easily. Not very satisfied. Will not buy another volkswagen ever!!

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  Great Car all the way around! - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VwChrisVr6 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  this is an exceptionaly well built car, built by Volkswagen. If there is such a car that gives you the power and the feeling of being a sport car, but yet has the gift of luxury this is the car you are looking for.

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  Great car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Maria - April 9 - 7:10 am

  Only had it a few weeks, but it is an awesome car. The only thing I would change is making the rear view window bigger to look out of. Love it, love the ride, the handling, the price!