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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  Not a fan - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JKling - June 2 - 7:23 pm

  This car has a few MAJOR flaws. The electrical system is junk. I have had the left rear power window go out several times. The wiring is poor. It is also expensive to have repaired. It drives well and gets reasonable gas milage. If I were to buy another (which I wont) I would get the basic version. Less things to have problems with.

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  Great Ride - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Duanne - June 2 - 3:00 pm

  Purchased the Tiguan in Aug, 2008 and now have 5000 miles. Two round trips to north of Atlanta, and no problems. No problem passing a vehicle or entering the Interstate, just put the pedal to the medal and this baby scoots. Many great compliments about its sporty good looks. Just fun to drive. My wife has no problem getting me to run errands!!! My heavy foot may be the cause of the not so great gas mileage Ive heard other reviewers reporting. Only about 25mpg average

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  VW beat em out - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By VW - June 2 - 2:10 pm

  Well after searching for 2 months and driving Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki, the VW Golf made it number one. It was the funnest to drive and had the best ride from my perspective. With traveling almost 90 miles a day, I was looking for Blue Tooth, Cruise and smooth ride. The Mazda was definitely very close and the Toyota was there too (too many recalls). The steering is pretty good. There is some road noise but you hardly feel the bumps. Also there is some hesitation however when in sport with the 6-spd tiptronic you hardly notice it. I drove the Jetta as well, but the ride from my perspective was better in the Golf. Great car. The 2 door was exceptional also.

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  Stay Away!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Liz - June 2 - 9:09 am

  WORST car to own! I have had it for 3 months and it has given me more problems than any other car i have ever owned! It is not worth your time and MONEY! omg. So many electrical problems and the inside is just falling apart! Dont let the cuteness fool you! Lesson learned here!!!!

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  Nice, but underpowered - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - June 2 - 12:46 am

  I bought this Jetta as a second vehicle, it is a 5-speed which I like, but the 2.0 engine is severly underpowered for this 3,000 lb. car. It takes a lot to get this car moving. Also, the first time it rained, I had a puddle in the back seat, apparantly they had installed the molding on the window incorectly. I would buy another Jetta, but i would have to opt for the 1.8T engine, or the VR6.

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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Terrence - June 1 - 8:43 pm

  I shopped for a small car that was comfortable and has good visibility in all directions, VW won. This car looks small from the outside, not so when you get in. With tilt and telescopic steering wheel and three way adjustable seats, comfort comes easily, making entry and exit a breeze. Tiptronic is fun, the heated seats are hot, 6-disc CD changer/Sirius is cool, 17" low profile tires give it a great look. Lots of head room too. I got triple-white and love it. I threw out the flower holder.

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  Agree with poster JLM from 10/01/2008 - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By MG - June 1 - 1:46 pm

  Same problem as poster JLM.Totally dissatisfied and would not buy it again. Car in dealer for at least 10 biz days for a problem that I believe VW know about all along. The DSG transmission is the culprit and appears in all VWs-not onlyt he EOS. Check the VWVortex website for similar stories. I wish that I had before I bought this mistake.

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  My Dream Car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Wendy - June 1 - 9:53 am

  I have wanted a Beetle for as long as I can remember. I have little die-cast Beetles all over my living room. I absolutely love my Beetle. It is very comfortable and good on gas.

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  Love this SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fsonline - June 1 - 8:43 am

  Its surprising to me to see in a recent magazine that the Touareg is rated as a "vehicle to avoid." I find the build quality, the ride, the power, and the comfort all to be way above par, even over Passats, and Lexus LS400s Ive owned. All issues that I have had with this truck were immediatley handled by the dealership and resolved as expected...and as part of the new model (at the time,) experience. Its a shame that VW, a company with great ideas, is becoming a notch above their "niche" despite the results, which are superb.

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  My Engine Just Blew - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By V6 2007 Treg - May 31 - 7:40 pm

  Car is at the dealer and waiting for a new engine. 4 months left on the lease and I cant wait to give it back.