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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  Cant beat the GLI! True sports sedan! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PSIGLI - March 9 - 7:46 am

  This car has as much luxury as an Audi, much of the driveterrain is Audi, it has a big brake kit like the Audi TT, and the 1.8T motor and tranny are from the Audi A4. The real aluminum dash, recaro seats, and suspension are awesome. Get the GIAC chip it rocks this car, adds 30-40hp and its not dealer traceable. Turbo is smooth, gearing is awesome, this car is a true sleeper and underrated. For the luxury and build quality under the hood in the trunk everything this is a great bang for the buck, the only thing nicer maybe a BMW 3-Series or an Audi. This car drives and handles so smooth, around turns you want to feed the engine more. I get 26 mpg thanks to the really nice trip computer / screen usually found in more expensive cars.

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  4 Door Golf - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By danjv - March 9 - 5:24 am

  Ive owned this car for just a couple weeks, but I can already tell this is the great car I hoped it would be. It doesnt come with the most features, it doesnt get the best gas mileage, and it doesnt have the most back seat room. But if you want a car that makes you say "Ahhhhhh" every time you get in and cant spend $35k, get a Golf. Think of it like the iPhone of the car world: the best designed, most well executed, solid-feeling car you can buy for the money. Drive this, then drive something else - youll be frustrated. The engine is smooth and surprisingly powerful. The transmission is good, but regular mode is a bit economy minded - Sport mode is where I leave it most of the time.

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  6 Weeks and Very Happy - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Rob 110 - March 8 - 3:40 pm

  I bought my Tiguan after several months of looking at small SUVs. Each time I kept coming back to the Tiguan. I thought I would get a CRV, but the power isnt there and there are far too many on the road. I wanted to like the Acura RDX as an Acura TL owner. While I liked it, the gas mileage (poor) and cost (high) prevented the deal. The Ford Escape Hybrid just didnt have the fit and finish. The Tiguan was the best bet for me: good value, my bike fit inside, still somewhat uncommon on the road, nice looking, and just a great all around package. Six weeks into it and I still love it as much as the day I bought it.

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  200,000 with my 06 Jetta 2.5 manual! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dave - March 7 - 3:29 pm

  I bought my Jetta new when I was 24 with the intent to keep it a minimum of 10 years/200,000 miles. I almost bought a manual loaded Mazda 3, boy I am glad I didnt do that. It now has almost 201,000 miles on it and I have mixed feelings. The headlights burn out far too often, the rear brakes get locked up after getting new pads/rotors EVERY time because dealers and non dealer shops have no idea how the Germans designed the brake system in the 06-11 Jetta lol! New brake lines every time will solve the issue usually. Squeaks and rattles come and go randomly, the AM radio gets terrible reception (in Vegas anyway) and there is some road noise and engine noise, both of which I like actually. The inline 5 cylinder engine sounds great to me especially around 4-5,000rpm which I visit quite often. Gas mileage is a decent 24-26/mpg combined. I usually see about 30.5 on the freeway and right at 22-23 in city. The manual transmission allows this. Speaking of my manual, Ive only replaced the clutch one time at a dealer(never again as it cost way too much!). Normal fixes during my cars life include the water pump replaced once, fuel pump once, cooling fans once, radio system once due to wear on the dials, and a few other small things. If youre lucky enough to live in a city with a good VW non-dealer mechanic youll save lots of $$ as the dealer prices for ALL work is just ABSURD!!!! Overall I have loved my vehicle. Its not perfect but I plan to keep it at least 5 more years unless repairs cost me more than 1,500-2,000 a year as a new car payment would then become logical. My headliner is still attached, my car still tracks straight, its not a Mazda 3, and it still starts the first time every time. This is due to absolutely 100% strict maintenance being done, all oil changes, filter changes, lubes and tunes done at manufacturer recommended intervals. Its been a little pricey but well worth it. My interior is in like new condition except for some tears in the pleather seat that I got while moving (a pic frame stabbed my seat 😕) and my stearing wheel is super corroded for some reason. I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy my Jetta!

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  My Favorite Car - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Yurx Cherri - March 7 - 12:30 pm

  This car is amazing. German engineers managed to combine exceptional dynamics and speed with very frugal fuel consumption. You will be shocked if you compare the interior room parameters with BMW X3. They are almost the same. On the top of that you are basically buying Audi A3 (a bit shorter) for about $5,000 less.

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  Would NOT recommend - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hmntafiel - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. It has given me more problems in the 4 years I have had it then my Geo Prizm gave me in 8. My mom was tricked into leasing it. This experience has ruined my opinion of German vehicles overall. At 26000 the rear brakes went out, the key has been disprogrammed on its own 3 times, the lights on the air conditioning panel have gone out 4 times (!), the break lights have gone out twice, the 02 tubing had to be replaced (cost me $800), and not to mention the bumper has almost fallen off. Some yellow stuff is oozing out of the door, looks kinda like worms. DO NOT buy! Cant wait til I get rid of mine...

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  SUV for me - never - until this one - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By c5lover - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Not much to say - just drive one and youre hooked. Very smooth, very luxurious, very quiet. Love the styling, too.

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  My first and only VW - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SadOwner - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Twice in the shop (two months apart) for ignition coils to be replaced under warranty (once with a Ford Focus rental...yuck!) Most recently the driver side window slid into the door not to re-emerge. Also under warranty but I have to wait 10 days for the dealership to have the time. First the window was duct taped up, now propped by wooden shims. I should have two bumper stickers. "Bought new...as is!" and "What next!" Never will I buy a VW again!

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dksbatch - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I love our wagon and I test drove a lot of wagons before we bought this one. It is reliable, sporty and perfect for someone downsizing from an SUV (we had an Explorer) It is the safest car out there and you are not limited to a trunk. The back opens up and the back seats lay flat giving plenty of room.

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  Not what I expected from a German Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brantonfour - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had problems from the begining. The whole reason I bought the car was for the safety that it provided for me & my family. Safety doesnt count for much when it is in the shop all the time. Oil problems constantly,A/C compresor went out, windshield wiper had to be replaced(it quit working while I was on a 700 mile road trip with family, so had to sit on the road for 3hrs waiting on roadside service b/c of raining and could not see to drive)and there has been many, many more things. Service has been a pain to work with. I should have bought a Kia, at least it has 100,000 mile warranty.