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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  Brand new Tiguan already in the shop - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By tiguanowner - August 29 - 2:13 am

  Already worried about my new Tiguan. After 800 miles of very gentle driving it started making a horrible metal clanking sound in the engine area. Dealing with 24-Hour VW Roadside assistance was also very disappointing. Thought 24 hour service meant that you get a tow within an hour of your call, but according to my experience it means you may not get a a tow for 24 hours. Took at least 3 phone calls over a 15 hour period to finally get a tow truck to my front door. Now car has to sit at the shop over the weekend because it got checked in too late on Thursday. Despite all of this I really love the car and hope the problem is minor. Will follow up with the diagnosis.

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  My badass vr6 Volkswagen Jetta - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ben - August 28 - 1:30 am

  I love my Jetta vr6 2.8 liter its fast Im going to be adding a turbo to it the only thing about it is that I do not like about the car was replacing parts that expensive hard to find for the vr6 otherwise the car is great to drive looks nice on the road with all the fences stuff that I put on it hard to find the right suspension system to lower my car now I gotta replace the clutch after 182000 miles on the car but the cars been great to me never had major problems so now is time to give her stage 1 racing clutch and a full air suspension ride behandle bility and replace my 17 inch low profile rims and tires for 18 inch low profile rims and tires my wife hates the car because I love my car more than I love her Thank You Volkswagen I wish you made another vr6 in the newer model with the sunroof I would buy it in a heartbeat but now I will not give up this car no matter what even for new one even if you gave it to me for free I still would not trade it in for seems to me every time I go by the dealership somebodys always offering money to buy my vr6 they said its hard to find and very rare in this condition special all the things Ive added to the car to make sure dress up beautiful and fast its hard to give up something that you built by hand

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  Unreliable at 100 miles - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By nytig29 - August 27 - 10:51 pm

  Brand new 2012 VW Tiguan S 4Motion from Open Road VW of Staten Island. I DO NOT recommend this dealer for sales or service. Buying experience was ok without any surprises so far but the AC stopped working 5 days later at 100 miles on vehicle. Brought in for service and these are their excuses: #1: machine to diagnose doesnt work, #2: need to order part and cannot tell you when it will come in, likely 3-4 weeks. #3: now got part but something else is wrong and cannot release car, cannot tell whats wrong yet, etc. They havent even given me an estimated time of completion, neglect to call back when they say would call back, they just dont care. I do not trust them with my car.

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  New TDI first day - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wranglerRS - August 27 - 6:13 am

  First day - and finding this Special edition TDI is a really great surprise. After 8 yrs. & 200,000 miles of great Audi A4 1.8T quattro driving, I get all the features and gas mileage with only giving up 4 wheel drive and xenon lights. Really happy with quiet ride, handling and performance computer on the dash. Of course gas mileage at 45-48 mpg on the first day on a 225 mi. trip is a real treat. Looking forward to another great experience with a German car for a really great price. Waiting for the A4 diesels in 2008 is still not firm and of course more $. Really pleased day one.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Jmac - August 26 - 9:50 pm

  Best interior for quality, comfort and looks of any BMW, Mercedes,even Audi. Performs well. Edmunds cites heavy weight impedes handling. My view is the extra heft makes for a quieter more comfortable ride. I like having the VW badge. It gives me a great car without the high profile prestige factor.

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  Love My Passat - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rick M - August 26 - 3:06 pm

  I bought it used, and its a great car to drive! Very comfortable for long road trips, and the trunk is massive! In the two years that Ive owned it, Ive replaced the rear brake rotors but no other big repairs. I hope to get 200,000 to 300,000 miles before I retire it!

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  Clean Lines Inside and Out - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Justin - August 26 - 1:10 pm

  I just bought my GTI two months ago. This is my first VW. The GTI is a pretty fun car to drive, it accelerates and shifts very smoothly. I love the design of the cars interior and the exterior. The lines are very clean and simple. It is a little too heavy and its handling is a bit iffy. Its not as fast as I thought it was going to be. It has a bad placement for the cup holder.

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  Psst. Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By davidhm - August 26 - 1:05 am

  I dont understand why so many Accords and Camrys continue to be sold when, for a little extra, a Passat can be had. Clearly the best value in a vehicle that we have owned and one of the best vehicles we have owned, period. And, that goes back a ways, folks.

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  TDI Beetle - best kept secret out there - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By AIXIZCYCLES - August 25 - 3:53 pm

  Having learned to drive on a 1962 bug, I have a certain affection for the Beetle. This new one does not disappoint and is uber fun to drive. Owing a new Suburban and also a HD bike, I use the Beetle for daily chores and business commuting. At 61" and 250lbs, I have plenty of room. I specifically wanted a turbo diesel, manual because a small car should be fun and involve the driver in the experience. Cant complain abut the 44mpg I am getting as well! I also have a grin on my face knowing that it does not meet current EPA requirements!!! Global warm this.

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  Not satisfied - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By unhappy - August 25 - 12:23 am

  We got the 2004 passat with a special lease called the drivers option. Weve had the car for 4 years and averaged about 11,000 miles a year. There is very little room for your personal things such as a wallet, sun glasses, water, cds etc. The car must have had 8 recalls (seat heaters, fuel leaks etc.). The car spent about 6 weeks in repair shops and everything was under warranty but our lease is up and well NEVER buy another Volkswagen as long as we live. Now that the lease is up Volkswagen sent out their inspector to go over the car and charge us as much as possible for any scratch or nick they can find. Ive leased a lot of vehicles but Ive never been nit- picked like this. Beware!