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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  Constant Brake Squeal - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By carb1776 - July 23 - 6:10 am

  I looked a many SUVs like the Tribeca, Sante Fe, CR-V and choose the VW because of the leg room and comfortable ride. With 4,900 miles I regret not buying a Honda, Toyota or Nissan. I have had a brake squeal every time the brakes are applied and the VW dealer says its normal and part of the brake design. Im embarrassed to drive anyone in my vehicle. $35,000+ is a lot of money to let a vehicle sit in the driveway. You wont find a vehicle with better comfort or handling but the trade-off is the brake squeal. Its annoying and I am filing a Lemon Law complaint if it cant be fixed. I wont buy another VW again.

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  Nice, Nice, Nice - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By mr - July 22 - 10:36 pm

  Outstanding value and quality! My wife had a 2013 Passat TDI which she sold back to VW. After looking around at other brands she decided she missed the Passat style, room and driving quality. A new red Passat was located at a Seattle dealership and after a few phone conversations the deal was made and at a great price. I flew down and drove the vehicle back up to AK (2300 mi). I thought Id miss the TDI grunt but the TSI is very impressive...good acceleration, smooth and mpg in the high 30s. I would recommend the Passat to anyone looking for a mid size car!

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  teenagers are out of it - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eric - July 22 - 11:06 am

  Before the Volkswagen Jetta had more fun and excitement for teenagers but now its like a family sedans so I am not too thrilled of the new arival of this sedan. Although I must say that its a really good fuel economy vehicle and its interior design is nice. The exterior design doesnt make me feel very excited. Overall the Jetta is an OK car and they should work now on bringing back the teenage theme back in the Jetta. It can be better I think quality-wise.

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  A Great All-around Sports Sedan - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason - July 21 - 5:56 pm

  Of all the cars I have ever owned, this is my favorite. I normally suffer from buyers regret - wondering whether I would have been happier with another car. I have never second guessed my decision to buy this car. The engine is fantastic - returning great gas mileage and managing to be responsive when given the gas. The handling is excellent. The interior is spacious, well thought-out and very upscale. The quality of the materials is top-notch. I have experienced no mechanical problems in seven months of ownership.

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  Love It - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gr8danz - July 21 - 12:20 am

  I have absolutely loved my experience with my Volkswagen Jetta TDI so far. It is fun to drive and handles very well. The fuel economy is wonderful. I do not have the engine broken in yet and I am already getting around 600+ miles to a tank. We are looking into getting a second one right now.

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  Love hate relationship - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ronald - July 20 - 11:12 pm

  The 2009 TDI sportwagon. I love about everything about this car except reliability and that is a show stopper. Virtually every system has had major overhauls except the engine. I guess I have grown spoiled driving about a dozen Toyotas over the years as they are reliable and run forever. Expect to pay the cost of the car for repairs during the first 120K for this model. The least reliable and most expensive to repair automobile I have owned. I will never purchase another VW.

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  Great Car - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By derekdewaal - July 20 - 7:03 pm

  For the money, this car is tough to beat. It is economical, mostly reliable, and fun to drive. This is the best car that I have owned. It is probably the best 2-door car availaible short of the BMW 3-Series. The cupholders stink, but this is outweighed by its utility, especaillay with the rear seats folded down. I wish I could keep it forever, but I know that as a 2-Door, it is somewhat inpractical. My dealer has been fabulous in maintaining my car and has added to the overall experience. With 53,000 miles, it still runs like new, with minimal maintenance, other than scheduled. If you are looking for a used GTI, look out for boy racers who beat on them, this is, unfortunately, common.

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  Good clean Bug fun - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By T.Eichelberger - July 20 - 3:30 pm

  Great style with ample performance gives the Convertable Turbo Bug from Volkswagen a summer experience that is to be enjoyed. It seems that the rigidity of the frame in all convertibles suffer with the removal of the top, and this car is no different. Volkswagen has done an adequate job in reducing body shake vibration and bounce over rough roads without the "handbasket hoop" on other chop top models, but it would be nice if they could go the added yard to bring it up into the M.B. & BMW levels. I still feel that its style is still fresh from its most recient retro makeover and like the fit and finish of the interior and exterior. I find the car a pleasure to own.

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  MY 20th AE - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By STATIC PSI - July 20 - 1:00 pm

  I enjoy the car very much i did do the ko4 upgrade witch did make it faster and more enjoyable.. I think the ko4 should have been stock like the audi 225Q, stock handles ok.. braking power is great with the stock bigger brakes. great seats and body style..

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  A pleasant suprise - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Timberwolf919 - July 20 - 6:23 am

  When I bought this car, I wasnt really enthusiastic about it. I had been trying for a MINI, and kinda got stuck with this (the dealers were shady). However, to my enjoyment, I have gotten quite comfortable with it since then. Adding rims and a few aftermarket things made this car very classy, and I enjoyed the ride. I did get a finicky blinker, though, and the starter made a funny noise, although it was mechanically sound. But at 132k miles, I am pleased to find that I havent had to do much to the car at all. I replaced the vacuum tubing and secondary air pump for about $700, but mechanics were fair: $45 for extensive diagnostics. Looking to do a few more things for a truly killer ride.