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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  German Engineering - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By TedH - February 2 - 7:13 pm

  A pleasure to drive. Powerful performance and precise responsive handling. Very safe automobile as proven by a 2000 Golf TDI that was totaled after I drove it home. Wife wanted a trunk, so it was a Passat. We love this car. 3rd VW in a row and payments remain same as the first thanks to the great resale value. I get about 32 mpg on the hwy and around 22-24 in town. Get one, youll love em! Only thing I dont like is the $75 Oil changes. Go VW!

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  Fun, Powerful, Addictive - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By dyma82 - February 2 - 12:50 pm

  I have own my Passat TDI for 10 months already and every day I like it more. This is a really fun car to drive. I have never enjoyed driving a car as I do with my Passat. It is powerful and fast. I also have a Toyota Tundra V8, and it feels anemic compared to the Passat TDI. It provides you with a lot of power at low RPMs. It feels like the car is very powerful in a nice effortless fashion since it doesnt need to shitf gears to accelerate. Now if it shifts...wow...get ready because it feels like a jet. Of course, fun and fual efficiency dont go together, but it is nice to know you have the choice to get 40 mpg if you want to.

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  Overall, A Good Little Car - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By punch_bug1020103 - February 1 - 2:06 pm

  At first glance, I thought this car was cute, but would not perform well. I then proceeded to test drive it. There I got my first taste of its "spunkiness". Its acceleration is a little slow, but it is adequate. The interior is very well designed, except for the cup holders locations. I think the indigo glowing gauges are cute. The room from the front seats is quite bigger than one might think. However the rear seats are cramped. Mechanically, this car is designed well. I personally love the transmission, and its gear ratios. I find that the ratios come in handy on hills when the car doesnt roll back for an automatic. Overall, I think that this car is great; it turns heads.

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  Love/hate relationship with this $-pit - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeanne - February 1 - 8:30 am

  I love everything aesthetically and performance-wise about this car. But I HATE the repair bills. Last year it cost me $4K in total repairs, and more this year. Ive always been good about oil changes and general maintenance, but man o man it got expensive after 100K miles. Tie rods, ball joints, brakes, O2 sensors (and there are a lot of them), catalytic converter. Engine light NEVER goes off. Now it wont pass inspection without $1800 more in repairs and Id rather spend money on a newer car than old, so Im saying good bye (and sadly, good riddance) to the first car I ever truly loved. Must say Im getting a decent trade in allowance from a VW dealer. No one else wants to touch it!

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  Love this Turbo Jetta 1.8 - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Keiffer - January 31 - 2:46 pm

  They shouldnt have stopped making this Jetta GLI. Those who got the last of the 2005 Jetta before the new one came out are a lucky bunch. I was very relunctant to buy a Jetta after owning an Audi, Infiniti, and Acura but after test driving the Jetta GLI Turbo, I was sold. Its performance matches the Audi A4 quattros which we still own. Its turbo engine makes it very quick taking off especially when you put it in the tiptronic (5 speed automatic) mode. My only complaint is the seats - although they are sporty and they make for a fun ride manuevering curves, I still miss the luxury of my leather seats. But thats just me - Im sure many are happy with the Recaro sport seats.

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  Got a Smoking Hot Deal!! - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By karinalynne - January 31 - 8:12 am

  I bought this car less than a month ago, the second day I drove it, it stalled out at an intersection and I had to have it towed back to the dealership (burnt a coil and blew a fuse). Within a week later, the same thing happened again and again. Finally had to take it to a mechanic, said all 5 coils and spark plugs needed to be replaced. A week after that, I decided to just trade it in for something more reliable. On the way to the dealership, it stalled, started smoking and then caught on fire. It is now totaled and it is the worst car I have ever purchased. Save your time, its a cute car, but its NOT worth it.

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  So far, very impressed - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By zct808 - January 31 - 2:25 am

  Ive owned cars that cost $20K more than this GTI. Yet none of them were more refined, fun to drive, or as well executed as this car. The moment I took a test drive I was sold. The fun factor, the way it handles, the performance, the amazing build quality, the steering wheel and pedals, and the incredible DSG gearbox that has to be driven to be believed (it changes gears in 1/10th of a sec and is faster AND more economical than the slightly lighter and cheaper stick shift). I think this is one of the best value cars out there, even the base model is generously equipped. Its the most fun car Ive owned in a very long time, really loving it so far.

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  We Bought Two and Both Cars blew the Turbo - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By bubbastarr - January 30 - 6:00 am

  The gas milage is great, the luxury is good. The tranmission can be unresponsive, expecially in the cold. We bought two for our company and both have blown the turbo. One at 30k and the other at 18k.

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  A year and 20,000 miles later. - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tom Cheesman - January 29 - 9:23 pm

  I still love driving this car. Handling and suspension are tight, no rattles or squeaks. Manual transmission is so much fun. Getting consistent 29-30 mpg with 80%/20% hwy/city. Going from San Diego to central California with four passengers, powered along @ 80 mph at times & car stayed planted and steady. Around 10k service, noticed slight tapping noise in engine. Dealer replaced valve camshaft at no cost. Total maintenance cost to this point is $0.00. Dealer provides free oil changes for life! While dropping daughters Escape off @ Ford for service, a car shopper asked about my Jetta. I ended up doing a VW sales pitch to him in the middle of Ford dealership. VW is doing it right, so far.

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  VW Hits a Grand Slam Home Run! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Shrivelhead - January 29 - 3:40 pm

  Wow! I own a Mercedes SL55AMG and an Escalade EXT but the CC Sport might just be my favorite car to drive. The car is without a doubt a head- turner. Then it is a head- scratcher. "Thats a Volkswagen - wow!" I get that a lot, and I mean a lot. Lets face it, the car looks like a Mercedes, drives great and costs about half what the Merc would ask. This car performs incredibly well and has smooth, yet powerful acceleration. I added some 20"s and wheels and voila!, I have a luxury sport car that I can drive every day. Dont walk - run - to test drive this car. Youll fall in love with it. I did and so do the 2 - 3 people who stop me in the parking lot on a daily basis!