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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  NEW 05 TDI experience - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By greggor63 - July 19 - 10:03 pm

  After owning a 2000 Beetle GLX turbo for 5 years with gas prices rising I decided to make a switch. Deciding on the 2005.5 New Jetta TDI with package #2 all the options. I have really enjoyed the overall performance and not to mention the mileage. I get 38 in the city and 48 on the highway. Amazing what diesel technology can do. I would definately tell anyone interested to go diesel. Anyone who wants to can relpy with their VW experiences.

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  2016 jetta - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robert Corwin - July 19 - 10:53 am

  I had a 2013 golf, it just seemed more spority l gas mileage is great ĺove color blue.

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  Daughters 1st car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By ncsales23 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Found this 1 owner used car with 51,600 miles. Had to replace a few minor trim pieces ($200) and put new tires on it. What a fun car to drive with the tiptronic transmission and sunroof. Daughter couldnt be happier. Excellent condition both mechanically and appearance. Was able to get 100,000 warranty on powertrain and this should be a very dependable vehicle for the next 3-4 years.

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  great passat - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By griffton - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new before CU picked as their favorite. I shopped around an simply could not find a comparable car for the price. Its been love ever since. The only disappointments have been problems with the emissions warnings. Bat after 57,000 miles I still love the car and would recommend it fully. brian

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  Up in smoke - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By iajtapmas - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new from the dealership. After two and a half years during which i spent almost 2K in maintenance, the car went up in smoke last week as i was driving. For details look for my posting on http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotiv e/vw_smoke.html. New and used car buyers please be very careful before deciding to buy cars from VW

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  Poor Mans Audi A4 - and more! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By FrankTheCrank - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Who needs Quattro anyway. And for a $5,000 less, who would not be willing to live with the imperceptibly higher level of vibration. The car corners like a champ, it accelerates like a rocket, it comes to a stop quickly, and it cruises down the highway as smoothly as any pimp-mobile. The GLX package with the sport wheels has definite curb appeal - even valets and gas station attendants, jaded as they might be about everything automotive, comment on the car! The on-dash trip computer tells you everything you need to know, the cruise control doesnt require any training to operate, ample headspace give you the feel of a much larger car.

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  I WAS a diehard Volvo owner - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jrbatchelder - July 19 - 10:00 am

  After driving Volvo cars for 20 years my wife insisted I test drive a Passat. After a ten minute drive I was sold on the VW Passat GL 1.8T 5 speed manual trans car we immediately purchased. This car exudes quality, stability and has wonderful road "feel".

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  Look elsewhere - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve Martin - July 19 - 10:00 am

  My Passat has been in the shop for 20 days and they dont know whats wrong. This is the fourth time for the same thing. The battery goes dead every night. The first two times they said nothing was wrong, according to their computer. VW refuses to honor Utahs Lemon Law, claiming the vehicle must be fixed first, at which time the BBB and Consumer Protection Agency will no longer be interested in my dispute. To VWs credit, they have provided me a 4 cylinder Ford Focus while they service my car. My warranty entitles me up to $25 per day for a rental, which is enough for a Ford Focus or a moped.

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  Perfect - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By veroom - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Best car for the money.

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  Love My Turbo S - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bren - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The 6-speed manual and 180 hp make this so much fun to drive. I also get many looks and good comments about it. The cars "get up and go" is great. I love how this car is unique to all the other New Beetles. The two tone leather interior is awesome. Some may gripe about the back seat being too small. All I have to say is that this car is not a "family car", it is a car to have fun in! This car has made me nothing but happy since the day I bought it.