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:

• 

  2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Stick - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bernard Gibbes - February 4 - 2:53 pm

  I traded in a 2003 Audi A4 quattro with sports / premium / stick for this Jetta GLI. Amazingly, I dont miss my A4 at all. Its only been a week and its like a distant memory. The new GLI is a huge improvement over the previous model (just like all mark V Jettas). The engine is outstanding - this cars ability to accelerate is extremely impressive, particularly with the manual box. This is the best short-shifter I have used on a vehicle under $40,000. The clutch is smooth and light and the steering wheel is best in the world (under $100,000 at least). I love the sport cloth seats. They are not cold in the winter or sticky in the summer). VW used a high quality fabric, which is very durable. this car has a great MP3 stereo head unit and bi-xenons headlights, too.

• 

  BMW light - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Darin - February 4 - 10:05 am

  As much space, comfort, and technology as the BMW, Audi, and Mercedes in its class, but with a significantly reduced price. We prefer German engineering, but it doesnt feel like we moved out of a luxury car class.

• 

  An excellent car, but do your homework - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By calex905 - February 1 - 11:30 am

  This was the most reasonably priced car in this kind of fuel mileage range that did not feel like a toy. True the interior is not flashy, and I am a bit heavy for the standard seat bolsters, and it is not an independent rear suspension, but this little car is a kick to drive. I have 12,000 miles on and I have no complaints. I just got my first 50MPG trip this last weekend. In mixed driving I get 38 on the low side and can always depend on 44 to 45 MPG highway driving with cruise control on 65 or 70 from Fresno to Los Angeles and back. The DSG transmission does take a while to get used to but its a great car. Lots of torque and a huge backseat.

• 

  After 1.33 Years - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Happy Customer - January 30 - 4:06 am

  We still enjoy the driving experience. With over 15,000 miles, the only maintenance has been three oil changes. The ride is smooth and reasonably quiet. Stability and traction control keep the car where the driver wants it to be. Its average gas mileage is OK at ~26 mpg. The interior is very comfortable (we are small drivers at 56" tall) over long periods (drives from Ohio to Florida and Maine) of time on the road. The turbo engine is powerful enough for us with lots of acceleration from the turbo boost. Overall, this car is a a good value at $27,000 with all the technology, safety and performance equipment included. We would buy this car again.

• 

  Newly purchased Passat - 2016 Volkswagen Passat
  By shahab khan - January 28 - 6:19 pm

  Good car for daily commute. High cost of optional items. Large price variations between the dealers

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By E2Z - January 27 - 9:00 am

  We have had the Turbo S for two years and 43,000 miles. We took it back to the dealer once for a recall. Other than that it has been perfect! It is fun to drive, comfortable, economical, relatively fast (my wife also has a Corvette) and dependable. We use it to commute 160 highway miles a day.

• 

  Whoever car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By ferrari24 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  The passat is VW at its best. it offers a excellent ride quality, great quality/reliability and nimble handling. I suggest this car to anyone.

• 

  Update for 2intwenty - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By 2intwenty - January 26 - 5:40 am

  This review is an update from my initial review 2/1/07. I now have 14,000 miles on the car and still like it. I was concerned about engine noise at first, but this seemed to lessen with the break-in. I like the growl! A few issues: on a couple occasions Ive stalled after being in my heated office garage and then driving 5 mins in 40-50 degree temp. outside - stalled 2dif. times - exact same location each time. I have a rattle in the right vent. The drivers side window switches are peeling but dealer is replacing. My upper strut towers/bearing were replaced proactively by my dealer after I mentioned a slight steering noise - this fixed it.

• 

  Great value in the $25K range - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MikeG - January 25 - 4:50 pm

  Just bought the Jetta 2.0T with Option package 1. Great value all around for someone who wants a larger size compact with good to excellent performance, safety, and luxury features. The torque (acceleration) is great both from 0-60 and for passing on the freeway. The DSG transmission is seamless - you barely can tell when the gears shift - no turbo lag. I also appreciate the engine braking and overall quick throttle response. Interior features (dual climate controls, heated 12-way power leather seats, sunroof) are ergonomically excellent. Handling very good. Ride comfort good given handling (much better than Acura). More interior space than Audi A3, same engine, trani, chassis, $Ks less.

• 

  The engine wont quit - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NotherJettaOwner - January 25 - 1:23 am

  We bought this Jetta back in the beginning of 2001 with nearly 48k on it. This year, I took an outside sales job and Ive pushed it from about 137k to 160k and counting. Its days are numbered, as I havent done much upkeep outside of oil changes, but this sucker still doesnt burn a drop of oil. The coolant is starting to leak a little. Both windows on the driver side are off track and are held in place by pieces of wood propping them up. Radio reception is awful. Transmission will stick going uphill from time to time. We superglued the rubber molding to keep it in place and that has worked pretty well. Knock on wood, the car has never left me stranded.