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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  Sweet 16 again - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Czar - June 26 - 7:26 am

  My wife purchased a 2008 SE convertible for use at our beach house. She loves this car to death. Fun, quick and easy to park. Can fit 4 when needed. Top down fun in the sun.

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  Should I buy a VW? - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By pmichaelis - June 26 - 6:30 am

  I traded a pickup for the V6 Touareg and have been happy with the choice. Its equipped with premium pkg, Xenons, tow hitch, parking aids. So far mileage has been acceptable, 15 mpg local and 19+ on Garden State Parkway. Having read of workmanship problems with early release models, I was wary of purchasing. Currently, it has been trouble free and a very acceptable mode of transport. One of the reasons for my purchase was its towing capacity, 7000+ lbs. Everyone who has ridden with me has liked the ride, quality and handling. Acceleration is adequate for a V6 engine and braking is superb. My automotive points of reference, we also own a 2004 BMW 330Ci and a 1997 Porsche 993C2S.

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  The Good and bad - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ihatebadrivers - June 26 - 3:53 am

  I bought this car used from a local dealership. I have found the gas mileage to be great but the transmission has a mind of its own at lower speed and sometimes while slowing down to a stop it clunks into a lower gear. Its disturbing and annoying (almost scares me) when it does this. Sometimes when I put it in gear (mostly in reverse it hesitates and then goes in gear suddenly. I have to make sure I always have me foot firmly pressed so it doesnt lurch forward or backwards suddenly. I dont know if this is normal for all Jettas this year or not but it makes me think that I could have transmission problems down the road?! It does have plenty of pickup when I put it in "sport mode"

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  Fast and Great Fuel Economy - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Dash9 - June 25 - 8:53 pm

  Fast and Fun to drive. Tiguan handles like a sports car. Turbo charged acceleration is great.Tiptronic transmission is fun to play with. Fuel economy on the first tank for city driving was 23mpg,looking forward to a road trip soon. Lots of cargo room with rear seats folded down. Ride is very comfortable and quiet.visibility is excellent, much better than anything I have test driven. Easily fits in my garage and tight parking spaces. Performance, Styling, features and fuel economy are what won me over.

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  Its showing signs of age - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Joan Crawford - June 25 - 6:19 pm

  This was my first car, Ive had it for two years. I paid $9k, turns out the car is only worth about $2k. The car runs very well, very stable and smooth and is great on the highway and city, very good gas mileage, it lasts for a long time, the tank lasts maybe 300 miles and only costs $25 to fill up! It goes pretty fast to me and stops very fast too. It makes a good winter car too! Great defrosters and with new all season tires it has never gotten stuck in the snow! The heated seats get super hot too! The only time its had issues in the snow was when the tires were more than 4 years old. Right now though, its having some minor issues. It still starts right up and runs everyday, however right now the trunk will not rise open, the interior plastic on the doors are cracking, the glovebox handle and center console handle have broken off, the dash lights for the heat will not turn on, the front headlights are loose and theres a bunch of annoying electrical things like it sounds like the blinker is on but isnt, the car doesnt make any noise if you leave the keys in, the windows sometimes dont move automatically and theres this oil leak under the car no one can fix . I really take good care of this car, I am not rough on it, but I feel like now I have to drive my other cars because it Seems like more and more things are breaking on it, its minor things but still. It is a good car though, reliable, zippy and runs (which is the most important thing!). But if you check safety ratings, this is not the safest car and defiantly not a good first car due to blind spots and the safety ratings and also volkswagen isnt known for being a very good brand. But my specific car has been very good but I wouldnt recommend spending what I spent on this car or getting any other volkswagen car.

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  LOVE IT - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Geoff - June 25 - 1:53 pm

  I have a 2010 without badging and I get more stares, looks and questions about this car...there are none on the road. I went from a 08 VW Jetta Wolfsburgh which was fun and sporty but this is sexy and luxurious and drives like a charm and smooth!

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  Great car! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kaylene - June 25 - 12:13 pm

  I love this car. I drove a stick shift, and it was the best car i have ever owned. I would recommend this if you love going fast. GREAT CAR!

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  GB 2007 Jetta - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GB - June 25 - 7:06 am

  This car is surprisingly quick for a base engine with automatic. The six speed trans is very smooth and is programmed perfectly. Handling is excellent and performance in snow is very good. The interior is very good, but Im not sure I like the placement of the cruise control lever. Love the heated seats and chilled glove box. Sunroof is very well designed with little wind noise even at highway speeds. So far there have been no problems with any part of the car.

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  Awesome SUV - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg
  By HMB - June 25 - 5:20 am

  Its more than what I expected in an SUV. Ive owned GM all of my life, 4 to be fact, and I will never return to GM ever. This vehicle has so much power hidden under its hood. I purchased with the 19" Wheels in December and never worried about getting stuck in the snow, in fact it seemed that I had total command of the road driving in 6" of slush and never once loss control. I looked at the Arcadia, Q7, Cheyenne and CX90 and my VW has them beat hands down in Price, Performance and Fuel Economy. 28 to 34 MPG on the highway, but only 12 in the city. After 12,000 miles in just under 6 months the gas Ive saved while on the road has made a Huge impression on my GM Buddies.

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  First Year for Touareg - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mary Lou King - June 24 - 9:16 pm

  For such a bulky vehicle (I have to fold in mirrors to get in garage), I am very cramped with the drivers seat all the way back (64"/230 lbs). It is hard to see left or right rear by turning in the drivers seat. The owners manual does NOT describe how to set the dash clock. I had to go to two dealerships (7 sales persons and three mechanics before the clock could be set). I e-mailed VW about the clock and NEVER received an answer. This truck gets very poor gas mileage (about 13 mpg) for a 6-cylinder. there is no immediate response from the gas pedal when starting out. Access to the engine appears restricted due to the intake manifold (?) covering top of engine. Ill find out for sure when its time to take a wrench to it.