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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  my VW Toureg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jim Rph - November 25 - 3:50 am

  Heavy and secure car. Very comfortable ride. High quality workmanship inside and out. I like the european styling.The the interior is more ellegant then the Japanese cars. Hope to have it for a long time.

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  worst vw ive ever owned - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By landrover guy - November 25 - 1:50 am

  I purchased this passat new it was our second the first one a 2000 went 80k before we got rid of it, we had absolutely no real mentionable problems with that, that got us around 40 miles to the gallon. 2.0 motor this one has the turbo 2.0 it gets us between 12 and 26 on the freeway, its junk. The warranty has been extensively used I had the complete ac replaced all the door switches replaced the shifter replaced the rear safety interlock replaced have had at least ten engine codes two pcv valves replaced reflashed the ecm twice updates they said, one battery, one alternator. The stereo replaced rear safety latches on center console replaced rear deck lid lock replaced one and more.

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  Faithful and trust worthy - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I use my Passat wagon to tow a light boat trailer for my business. I had the tow hitch added aftermarket. This setup has worked beautifully over more than 230,000 miles. Ive had no mechanical problems, and with the trailer loaded with rowing shells, I get 24 mpg.

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  Amazing! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Curtman54 - November 23 - 2:20 pm

  I purchased (leased) my Toureg in 2004; we are a Volkswagen family. Youll note from my ratings that the car is a performer, fast, solid as a rock, beautifully designed interior and handles like a sports car. It is a beast in New Englands torrid winter weather. This is when the car is not at the dealership taking advantage of a very good warranty. I have been to the dealer so many times for so many things that I am totally disgusted and infuriated by Volkswagens lack of shame. The common reply to my frustrations is: "Well, its under warranty." I do not recommend this car. It is unfortunate because it could have really been my dream. Instead, it has been a constant nightmare.

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  my great touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By evelyn10 - November 23 - 5:53 am

  I really love this touareg, I bought it 6 month ago with 67000 miles and the car runs great, after cleaning the injectors it needs only 18-19mpg in the city and 20mpg at the highway, in 6 month I had no problem I only checked the car at volkswagen and it was free I payed nothing, this is really a excellent luxury SUV, the best I ever had, and my kids are happy with this car, it is the same base and motor like the Porsche Cayenne

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  04 R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Cricket - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Simple.... It is fun to drive.

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  .:R32 a blast to drive - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By BlueNJ.:R32 - November 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is simply everything I wanted in a sports car. It feels rock solid and just goes where you point it. The new independant rear suspension was a great move. Great acceleration in every geary. Gearbox is much better than any other VW I have owned. Race inspired seats fit like a glove and hold you right where you need to be. The exhaust note is pure sex to the ears. The interior is very plush and the exterior (WOW that blue is amazing) has great lines without being obnoxious. All of this with the added bonus of AWD... Perfect package to slap a supercharger on for an extra 80hp. WHOA!

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  Worth the Wait - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Texas T-Reg - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Ordered mine in Oct. 2003 and picked it up on 2-13-04. Have put over 3,000 miles including a trip to the mountains in New Mexico. It is exceptionally comfortable on long trips and handles better than my wifes BMW 325xiT all-wheel drive wagon. It is very stable at high speeds yet performed exceptionally well in the snow, ice, and mud of the mountains. The vehicle has been completely trouble-free from a maintenance standpoint. The V8 performed very well at 9,000plus elevations.

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  Great Job VW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Dave Gallego - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I got out of my ML lease 2 months early due to the fact that I salivated every time I saw the Touareg. Now that I have it, I cant wait to drive to work in the morning. Its an extraordinary vehicle.

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  headache - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brians - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Once things start to break, it is all over. Windows falling down are a constant problem. Door handles are peeling apart. Computer chip in front driver side door shorted, which causes the car not to realize the door is closed, and dings for the first 2 minutes of the ride. Mass airflow sensor, fuel pump relay have had several problems and replaced multiple times. Fan for A/C and heat broke. Windsheild washer fluid doesnt make it to the windsheild.