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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  so far so good....lovin my jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By matt - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. So far it has lived up to every expectation. Just be careful how loud you play your radio in Beach Haven, NJ!!!!!

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  Im in Love - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Johanna - August 27 - 7:56 pm

  I love almost everything about this car. I feel like Im in my parents Mercedes when Im in the car, except for its much better price tag. The performance is awesome, the torque in 2nd gear makes me all giddy. I thought about getting the leather package, but the plaid interior was just too gorgeous (although many people think otherwise, but who cares). I definitely am happy with my purchase. I cant wait to break it in so I can really see it perform!

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  Another New New Beetle - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By timeino - August 27 - 2:50 pm

  I sold my red 99 Beetle last summer. I was missing it terribly! Last month I bought a new 07, yellow this time. Im so happy to have a Beetle again. Its easy to park, fun to drive, cleans up nicely and compared to my pick-up truck and Jaguar, economical to keep the tank full. These are cute little cars. I enjoyed my last one and still see it around town. (Its much loved and still looks great.) I know that if the day comes that I must part with this one, it will also find the right person to love it. In the 99 I dont miss the old cup holders or cloth/fabric seats. The 07 has leather, better cup holders and a much needed arm rest. Old one was manual, this one is automatic, no opinion.

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  Bentley in Disguise - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Bobm1 - August 27 - 5:53 am

  My Volkswagen Phaeton V8 is by far the best car Ive ever owned or ridden in. This is not a car for status seekers. Its a car for people who want to drive the best large luxury car but dont want anyone else to know. The only down side to owning it is when you have to take it in for normal maintenance you dont get the same level of service you get from the other luxury dealerships. They try but truely dont understand their Phaeton clients.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Art - August 27 - 5:26 am

  Before I drove small BMWs but grew tired of their narrow interiors (I am 6.6 ft. tall). I was amazed by the GTIs spaciousness even on the back seats. And once driven I was hooked. Perfect steering, enormous power and the most fun to drive gear unit ever (DSG). Plus the GTI omits the shriekness of most other hot hatches.

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  Keep Looking - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By HereWeGo1 - August 26 - 7:46 pm

  This Routan seemed to be a perfect fit. Very stylish, comfortable to ride in and best of all its European, at least until you look a little closer. The truth of the matter is that this van is made in Canada at a Chrysler plant. This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. At about 700 miles the passenger side headlight began filling with moisture. The automatic doors do whatever they want, whenever they want. I woke up one morning to the side of our new van wide open getting soaked in the pouring rain. The power windows are very sporadic. Sometimes they work, most times they donÂ’t. Our rear bumper began pulling away from the body of the vehicle.

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  The best SUV Ive ever driven!! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ted - August 25 - 11:40 am

  This is hands down the best SUV I have ever driven. I considered 8 others and the Touareg is the best SUV for the money. Its not a "soccer mom" car. Its an SUV thats fun to drive, has lots of options and drives like a car. I recommend this vehicle if you like quality and performance.

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  if only... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Javy - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this certified car 2.5 years ago. I really like the quality, the milage and how it drives. Like any other car it needs to be mantained, maybe a little more than other makes. So if you are thinking on buying one, ask other owners where you can get good service in your area. And try to stay away from the dealer as much as you can if you want to get professional service and if you dont whant to spend your kids college fund.

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  2004 toureg minnesota - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jim bergtold - August 25 - 10:00 am

  i tested at least a half dozen suvs and the vw came out on top in every catagory.

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  VW Jetta 1.8 turbo - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve053 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Jetta primarily for my wife, but Ive been doing a lot of the driving and I love the way the car handles. Its fun to drive and I love the turbo and the gas mileage. Overall, were very satisfied so far with this car.