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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  Hot Rod Wagen - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettajunkey - November 16 - 10:00 am

  We purchased a VW Jetta Wagon with the VR6 and Sport suspension. It has seen a lot of miles and we havnt had a single problem. The workmanship is outstanding and the performance is amazing. This little grocery getter wont stop for groceries. It just blows on by. Its a blast to drive and always wants to be driven. The only complaint I have is that its hard to drive slow. If they can change the location of the cupholder, I could cruise all day. This is really a Passat, except $8,000 dollars cheaper. This is my first VW and I am really looking forward to the V-12 powered Toureg. No more Hondas/Toyotas for me...Im hooked

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  My second Beetle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By DallasDriver - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Im now on my second New Beetle. Ive never had any problems with the car beyond a few minor complaints like the placement of the cup holders or the fact that the texture on the interior door handles tends to wear off. Both of mine have been the GLX trim. Plently of power and a lot of fun to drive. Ive heard of people having mechanical issues with New Beetles but I have to wonder if perhaps some of it isnt abuse.

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  Well Made, Fun to Drive, Reliable - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mike2u - November 16 - 10:00 am

  2000 w/45k miles,2.0 motor,cloth interior,silver.Love it.Seats very comfortable.Steering&handling great.Feeling of quality.Love the curved window line.Has enough power,but just enough.Plenty of headroom.Only had minor problems. Switches for the window&the parking brake broke,the AC went out,&there was a minor electrical problem.All fixed under warranty quickly.The car comes with service&bumper to bumper coverage for 50,000 miles.I wouldnt worry about reliability.Think of how many old Volkswagens you see on the road.Even if you have some problems, what other car has this much style to offer.Ill take a few problems over driving an econo- box anyday.

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  If you know how to work on car, this is for you - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By saneesh8 - November 16 - 9:24 am

  Initially by spending all the money on repairs at stealership, i thought it is bad car. But once i started doing by my own with help from www.passatworld.com, not expensive. Or get information from the above website and find a trusted cheap mechanic. If you follow the simple rules like 40W full synthetic oil every 5k, change ATF at every 60K (Castrol import ATF is fine - from AZ) clean combi valve once in 2 yr, will run longer than a Toyota or Honda. Once you cross 100k, gaskets, hoses, Fuel filter and Timing belt (at 80K). Overall reliable car, decent MPG and most importantly safe. Premium fuel is bad side and dont need to use OEM expensive parts. My car close to 100k going strong..

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  Ten Ten Ten Ten Ten. - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By irobert1989 - November 16 - 9:06 am

  I have had this cutie for a week and compared to every car I test drove in its price range you get the most bang for your buck on this one. with heated front seats, ABS, and traction control as standard equipment the rabbit comes out head of its class every time.

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  Not really worth it. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bj789 - November 16 - 6:22 am

  I owned my Jetta for almost 3 years. It was initially fun, but as I put miles on the car the check engine light became a familiar occurrence. Took it to independent mechanics to save a little on repairs but it seemed like Id leave just to have another issue crop up. Started taking it to the local dealer so of course I paid through the nose for repairs (like all German cars). While not quite as expensive as my Mercedes to maintain, it still felt weird paying a premium for maintenance on a non-luxury badge. There were the enjoyable times with the car, it was loaded with great features and it was quiet and quick. But in the end, the bad outweighed the good.

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  2007 Rabbit Coupe - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By S. A. Sherman - November 15 - 8:26 pm

  Near luxury quality interior and build. Fun to drive. Good city car. No problems to date. Fine economical transport.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By stevo - November 15 - 5:20 am

  The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL is a fun car that is good on gas. It has an excellent interior design and provides lots of features for the price. It has tons of saftey features for the family at no extra cost.

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  Affordable fun - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By av - November 15 - 3:26 am

  I just bought this car yesterday, so this is really first impression review. I was looking to purchase "performance" car during last month and so. Checked few options such as BMW 328/330, G35, Civic hatchback.... finally I was standing to buy G35, but then VW CC arrived and I responsible buyer I went to check cheaper option ~36k of G35 vs. ~31k of VW CC. What I found is that although front wheel drive CC sticks to the road just like a shaving gum on my window. Even bad quality of Californian roads hasnt changed feeling of amazing sport style driving. The sounds weak 200hp engine actually deliver superior momentum of 200+ available since 1700rpm. So feeling is almost like 360hp G35.

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  Head of the class - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Doberman - November 14 - 1:23 pm

  1. Shifts were imperceptive and smooth (needed to mute stereo to listen to engine). 6-speed tiptronic transmission was more responsive than 5-speed. Didn’t do much sport mode since I like to move between tip and auto mode side to side. Downshifts came pretty quickly. 2. Handling and steering adjectives: smooth, crisp, precise, responsive, flat, agile, tenacious, communicative, and confident. This car was fun to hustle. Best “cut and thrust” sedan I’ve ever driven. 3. Sensation of thrust not acceleration. Point the 2.0T down a ramp, hit the gas and you literally rocket forward until you take your foot off the gas. 85 mph passed by before I had merged. Felt similar to beginning of take off roll in a jetliner.