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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  Couldnt be happier! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Shaah - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Owned a Beetle...too small for me, husband, and 6 month old son. Traded and got the Jetta... LOVE IT!! Just enough room, my son and family love it!

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  Great Car, but Watch the Options - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Marshall - October 12 - 1:26 am

  I love my new EOS, but the dealer charged list for it. AND, be warned, VW will not let you order Navigation ($1,800) without also ordering Turbo ($2,000) and the Luxury or Sport Package ($3,490 / $3,690). Therefore, Navigation actually costs a minimum of $7,290! And if, for example, you dont want to be part of the animal trade, and prefer the "leatherette" upholstery to leather, you cant have Nav at all. Get lost! (iterally..).

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  Something you feel great to pay - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By happy buyer - October 11 - 11:16 pm

  I bougt this car as a gift to my wife. Before that we consider Toyota Echo, Collora, Scion, etc. Beetle costs several thousands more than comparison but it really worths the money. My wife is so delighted with her new car. Everything is perfect. Style is great, the function is responsive, plus a build-in mp3 player. Do not know of anything else to add to it.

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  Good car, with the right dealer..... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Auto Wholesaler - October 11 - 2:43 pm

  I have 95,000 miles on my 2001 Jetta TDI. I bought it with 13,000 miles on it about 3 years ago because I wanted a comfortable car with great mileage as I am in the auto wholesaling business. The TDI delivers on these primary points. Handling and performance are great, the TDI while short on HP delivers great torque and acceleration for most situations. I am averaging 42 mpg consistently with the automatic transmission in combined (mostly highway) driving. I buy and sell up to 50 used vehicles a month, mostly late model and of all the Jetta models the TDI is tops for resale in this regard.

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  2007 Touareg - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By spike - October 11 - 12:36 pm

  Were thrilled with Touareg. It drives like a car and is solid - nothing is loose anywhere. The doors and sunroof shut tightly and very it is quiet inside. That seems to be the VW trademark, lately. This truck is really well made. Its power delivery is smooth, but its a heavy car. So be patient. Ive had three Japanese cars - a Nissan, Infiniti, and a Lexus and four German cars - a BMW, Mercedes-Benz and VW. Personally, I find German cars to be more sturdy, functional and practical. Some might say Japanese cars are more refined, sophisticated...etc. The Touareg exemplifies all these qualities without losing its German character.

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  Dont Buy One! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ltsmeek - October 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Jetta because of the way it drove and the way it looks. I still love the way it drives and the way it looks, but its always in the shop. Ive had the car in the shop 8 times in the past year. First, the paint peeled on the front bumper. The window has fallen into the door twice, now (its currently taped up until the new part can be ordered). The engine light came on last week, and the O2 something or another had to be replaced. My cupholder has broken ($75 to be fixed), and now, my center console button has snapped off. Its a piece of junk that Im going to trade off ASAP.

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  Volkswagen POS - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vince S. - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Two months(6,000 miles)after I bought my Jetta, the dash lights burned out. I paid out of pocket($150) because it was not under warranty according to the service dept. At 45,000 miles my front passenger window broke ($315). At 50,000 miles, a spring popped out from under the seat and the relay switch for the turn signals has stopped working (not repaired yet). It is also hard to get a loaner. Like everyone else said, "get to know your mechanics @ the serv. dept."

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  If You Get a VW...This is the One! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By veebub_gal - October 10 - 9:23 am

  I had a New Beetle for six months before I traded it in on a Passat. It was the smartest thing I have done in a while! The Passat is a great car, it rides smooth and handles well( although not quite as well as the 06 Jetta) and is very roomy inside. My husband is a big guy who had an Explorer before this car and swore he would never get another sedan as they were difficult for him to get in and out of. Not so with this car. We both own one, and we both really enjoy its features and the fun we have driving them. I am very happy I made the switch in cars!

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  My Love Bug! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By funnymermaid - October 9 - 11:19 am

  Ive got around 80,000 miles on it. I bought it approx 5 yrs ago, when it had 50,000 miles, from my elderly Mom. Weve both took great care of it, kept it maintained. Ive had very few problems, just regular normal problems. Ive just now had to replace the AC compressor due to small leak, only $400! I still love, love, love my Bug!

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  Great car for the dollar. - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jason Elvidge - October 9 - 8:53 am

  I really like this car. It handles like a champ. After purchase I noticed a vibration during shifting. I took it back to the dealership and they uploaded a new flash memory for the computer. It has worked flawlessly since. Not real big on style, but if you are looking for German engineering that feels like a more expensive european model, yet unpretentious enough to not upset your boss and co- workers with envy and jealousy. If that is what you are looking for, you couldnt find a better car for the parking lot or your wallet.