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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  A Luxurious Rocket Ship Needs No Cachet - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By J - July 19 - 11:10 am

  Handling, comfort, and electronics are superlative. The discount more than off set the absence of brand recognition. This is a car that you can drive coast- to-coast, in any weather. It is so comfortable and offers so much control on highways or country roads, it makes travel pure pleasure. In short, if your ego can handle a brand with less status, this is one very fine automobile.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jon - July 19 - 6:10 am

  After owning this car for five years, 2000-2005 and putting on 130,000 miles, I have to say i miss the car for its performance (modified of course), and the amenities for the price ie heated leather seats sunroof etc. I dont miss the car for its known problems, mass air flow sensor, window regulator clips, coil packs, etc. Overall i believe if i had kept the car stock i wouldnt have that many problems with it, but that wouldnt have been fun! Keep the car bone stock and it shouldnt give you as much problems, but good luck avoiding its known problems!

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  I love my GTI - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTIjunkie - July 18 - 9:10 am

  This is the first VW I have ever owned and by far the greatest car I have ever had in my possession.The around town gas mileage has been about 26-28 mpg and 3 people are kind of cramped but the ride and handling make this vehicle shine. Long road trips have been a dream getting close to 460 miles on a full tank of premium gas. The dealer-only oil changes have been a little steep ($90 for the first and $170 for the second) but knowing that the car is handled correctly and will last me a long time has made it worth it. Knowing what I know now I would purchase this vehicle again and I love the looks I get from people watching me whiz by them.

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  Nifty GTI - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By GTI - July 18 - 7:40 am

  I find the GTI to be a thrilling drive and well built. The only thing that I think it lacks is style inside.

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  Beautiful - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By billyjack2 - July 17 - 4:05 pm

  This is a must see/drive vehicle. When you can average over 29 mpg in about 90/10 highway/city driving, its pretty sweet.

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  2005 Touareg V8 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rick - July 17 - 1:53 pm

  I bought my Volkswagen Touareg V8 brand new and I fell in love. It has great power, aceleration and excellent brakes. It handles as well on road as well as over water and on uneven pavement. I have not gone off road yet. I dislike the fact that oil changes are so expensive (synthetic) and any little part costs a fortune, ie. windhield wipers $50.00 a piece. Also, I do not like the fact that it gets only 14 miles per gallon in city. Yes, I was aware of this when bought it, but with gas prices and the fact that it uses only premium this is kinda ridiculous. Anyway for other than these little annoyances it runs well and I feel safe in it.

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  Black Magic R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Wingger - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Im really enjoying my car. Its fun to drive and attractive. The handling is great. The engine always feels strong. The car so far still has no rattles or squeaks; it feels very solid.

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  The finest - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By gulla - July 17 - 10:00 am

  The VW Touareg is the finest suv I have ever driven and I have had alot of luxury vehicles in my life.The Touareg gives you a feeling of safety and sureness you cannot experience in other luxury suv vehicles.Its power and nimbleness combine to give you a feeling like no other.I love my Touareg and plan on getting another one after this one.I would recommend it to anyone.The only thing I would improve is the gas mileage but for all the other great things this great machine does it is worth the trade-off.

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  You bought a what? Toureg? - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rsbandit - July 17 - 10:00 am

  No one knows about this SUV, yet the people who do understand know what it is to drive a true touring SUV. I am an urban cowboy who loves his comforts and the Toureg provides all you need and more. A bit slow on start up until you put the car in S. Then away you go. The engineering could not be better. Sound system excellent. I just cam out of a Lexas 300RX and this is better built SUV. The SUV even can give you the tire pressure along with other information. The V8 is very fast but gas costly. I just spent the weekend on a long trip and never had to stop because of discomfort. A pure pleasure. Enjoy!

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  A++++++++++ - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lilbikerchick - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I actually own a 2003 TDI but I had to rave about it. Volkwagon is so reliable and I can drive from college station tx to gulfport, ms get this...on one tank of gas! This car is a little small on the outside but it makes up for it everywhere else.