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 suv - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By maxfactor - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This toureg is just what i have been looking for.Offroading,cruising,and still has that bgreat luxury feel.No wonder it won motor trend suv of the year!

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  Fun to drive, excellent fuel efficiency - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VTdi - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a car that is fun to drive. It handles well (some understeer) and is quite responsive. The ride could be a bit more firm, but it is comfortable. I have had no maintenance problems with the car as of 30,000 miles on the odometer - routine oil/filter changes and recommended maintenance at 5/10/20/30k miles. I have gotten as much as 55 mpg with several long trips, and I routinely get 45+ mpg going to/from work (20 mile commute). I can get 48-50 mpg if I lay off the throttle, but that is just no fun... This is a great car, and I am considering a Passat TDI for an additional family vehicle. Go with the TDI engine - good stuff!

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  Function and Fun w/ Class - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jordan - April 6 - 2:00 am

  The Volkwagen Passat is a fantasti car. It is overall relible and vey fun to drive. I got a manal transmission for additinal fun. It handles and speeds up like a dream. The only bad thing I can think to write is about the recliner in it, the Passat has a wheel, I perfer a lever.

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  Best Purchase - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Riley81 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I feel very safe on the road. Wonderful interior and exterior features with perks. I would recommend this car to everyone.

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  VW 2002 - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mistyautumn - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, however had a problem with both automatic windows...the clips had to be replaced.

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  VW Turbo GLS-Bad Resale Value - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rob Tarbell - April 6 - 2:00 am

  excellent power, but continual mechanical problems which will cause lots of trips to dealer for repairs. Sold vehicle due to continual problems & resale value was extremely low... Car was purchased for $23k and the best bid out of 9 wholsalers was $16. If you purchase this car, you had better plan on keeping it for 4 years or more to offset low resale.

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  The great compromise - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By sasso1977 - April 6 - 1:40 am

  Great vehicle, perfect blend of sport and utility, just over 2k miles it seems very well put together, transmission is wonderful, on "s" it really makes good use of all 200 horsepower. Very simple but elegant styling. Handles like a much sportier car.12 way driver power seat standard. Loads of standard features, auto hatch, auto one touch windows all 4, drl, heated side view mirrors, rear pull up window shades lol. Unheard of on an entry level car. Getting 22 mpg mixed driving but steady climbing, figure will get 25 mpg when broken in.

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  Love My Jetta - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By John Dugan - April 6 - 1:36 am

  Wonderful car. Almost 2,000 miles on it with no problems at all. The car handles and performs well and still delivers relatively good fuel mileage. I have been averaging 27 mph combined city/highway. The car is a great balance of handling, performance and comfort. I find myself looking forward to just getting in the car to drive it. It is great for zipping around in the city and it is also comfortable on the highway. I think Volkswagen really did a nice job with this car.

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  Passat review - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By randy - April 5 - 11:36 pm

  This the best and most fun car I have ever driven in my 20+ years of driving. It has lots of power and handles very well. A lot of room inside, able to seat 2 grown ups and a large child seat in the back very comfortablely. Over all just a fun car to drive. I highly recommend the Passat to anyone with a family and still wants to ride in style!

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  Timeless car... - 2011 Volkswagen GTI
  By adoniskev - April 5 - 7:47 pm

  Breathtaking... Now in all my years of owning cars this car replaces my all time favorite car my old 2003 Infiniti 4 door sedan. Taking this beauty from the lot for almost over a week I have yet to head to a gas station to fill up this bad boy. Gas mileage is amazing!!! Not as amazing as a Prius but I think they are being modest. Its a German car obviously and vw seems to be titled the poor mans Chanel, and thats okay why? Well besides not having a 500 payment for a BMW or Mercedes this car is far more eye catching than anything currently on the market. The other competitors well... They just are either too feminine or rugged for my taste in style. Timeless is what I named her.