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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  GREAT CAR!!!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By gmoney - August 25 - 4:00 am

  I love my 06 Passat 2.0T fully loaded with the Nav. Before I bought this car I test drove a 330i, C230, G35, TSX, and Accord and this car took all the good things from each one and rolled them up into a very well built package. Some of the most important factors in making my decision revolved around fuel economy, speed/torque, and safety. My Passat has averaged between 26 mpg and is very quick (much faster than the TSX). I use the navigation everyday and I am very impressed with its ease of use, features, and vibrant screen. The amount of storage space is excellent and very well thought out. Give this car a test drive and I think you will find it very hard to not fall in love.

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  VWs Stealth Sports Car - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By JohnC - August 24 - 8:26 pm

  I purchased my GTI in January when I sold my 2000 Passat. This is a very fun car to drive, it gets great mileage, and I can fit my bike in the back. Im lucky to have a very good dealer to deal with when service is needed.

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  Love my 2006 Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By omahagirl - August 24 - 3:03 pm

  I am surprised that my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0Ts engine is so powerful. Ive experienced no drag at all. So far its been the best car purchase Ive ever made. Not only does it get great gas mileage and fit three teens comfortably in the backseat, all my kids friends love it! That is a major feat if your teen thinks your car is cool.

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  Just love it - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By YVONNE - August 24 - 10:26 am

  There are only a few things that I would change. First the power Windows button is too small. The cup holder is set to deep into the consol, which makes it hard to put a med. Size drink in there with the ashtray being directly above it. And sometimes I bump the control for the window wipers when I put in the key into the ignition

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  Great car - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By jchagtdi - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The car is beautiful inside and out. Its extremely comfortable and feels more expensive than it is. The leatherette upholstery will fool anyone into thinking that it is real leather. This car is made for long highway trips. The ride is very plush and quiet, and the seats fit my 61" frame very well. My last car was a 4 cyl Accord, and the fuel economy is not as good as I expected. I got 29-30 MPG on an all highway trip versus 36-38 MPG in the Accord. The trip computer also lies about the fuel economy. It shows 1-1 1/2 MPG higher than the true MPG. Too much engine noise enters the passenger compartment & the engine is more coarse in feel and sound than an Accord or Camry 4 cyl.

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  The Best Original Sports Hatchback! - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By UK73 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  More power than I expected, especially in the 3000-5000 RPM range. Build quality is very good for the price. Added a K&N air filter, a nice noticeable upgrade for less than $50.00, + tons of other aftermarket stuff available. Couldnt justify $10K more for the R32, the VR6 has plenty of torque and the handling is very solid, even without the AWD.

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  Surpasses all competition - 2004 Volkswagen Golf
  By Citricacidcycle - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, precise and accurate steering, sound and safe design (4 disc ABS brakes, stability program, airbags as fas as the eye can see) Flexible, you can haul around a ton of stuff, great mileage, more features standard than on any other vehicle (8 speaker sound system w/ radio AND cassette, cruise control, height adjustable seats, 3 full seatbelts and headrest in the back. Though only equipped with 90hp, the car is far from being a lame duck, you get away from a stoplight much easier than say a Chevy Malibu. The stiff suspension keeps it comfortable on long trips and prevents you from getting seasick over potholes.

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  Its Got Go. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By feedle - August 24 - 10:00 am

  What an amazing, fun little car. I have a TDI diesel, with the Tiptronic transmission, and this is hands down the most fun car Ive ever driven. Out of the gate mine has had a few minor hiccups (CD player stopped playing CDs on the fourth day, airbag system isnt working properly [diag. light]), but the dealerships Ive dealt with have been quick to repair and cooperative. And, the fuel economy is AMAZING! 400-500 miles on a tank of diesel is "normal" for this car, and with some conservative driving, Ive pushed it to nearly 600. A worthy successor to the "Beetle" name.

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  Best VW Ive driven - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Willie J - August 23 - 4:40 pm

  This is one great vehicle. It has great handling, excellent pick up and go, awesome power too! The ride is a little harsh for my taste, but the tires make the handling that much better. The fuel economy is great too for a car like this, about 25 mpg in mixed driving. Decent cargo in the back too, my golf clubs can fit back there! Rear seat room is good also for adults, as long as theyre not too tall. Comfortable seats, even though I dont understand why the lumbar support is the only power operation. Pretty good base stereo. There is a blind spot over the right shoulder that can be aggravating on the highways.

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  Love this SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By SJ - August 23 - 10:23 am

  My Touareg makes turns on a dime, hugs corners and feels stocky and solid on the road. I can go up and down the steep icey hill to my house with ease which was always a huge concern and the reason I was looking for an SUV. My Touareg has surpassed my expectations. I love driving it.