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 MISTAKE - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rikky Huskanovic - August 16 - 9:39 pm

  First got this car when it was around 80k miles, and it was super cute and super fun for a few days until I noticed that something was wrong half the time when you tried to accelerate. However, it lasted me a few months- all while check engine turned on, it didnt acknowledge gears, etc- until it left me on the side of the highway with the engine and everything inside fried. We got it "fixed" and looked at so many times until it literally just died. No one wanted to even look at it, and the one mechanic that was willing said that all hope was lost. No reliability, no durability, doesnt seem to run over 5000 miles. You will be throwing your money away if you buy it.

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  My New Passat - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Timone - August 16 - 6:53 pm

  I have had my new Passat for almost a month now and I love it. This is my second VW, and its so good to be back. Its a definite drivers car. It was not the fastest car I considered (G35x, A4, & 328XI) but this car was a lot more car for the money. The one that came closest was the smaller Audi A4 2.0T. If you can get over the lack of Quattro and lack of the 4 rings on the grill - buy a VW instead! Very German, handles great, roomier than the others, and the 2.0T engine is real tourquey and fun. Love the 6spd DSG transmission too. With the Sport mode, Id pick it over a manual transmission any day, when factoring in practicality.

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  Just dont... - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By UGH! - August 16 - 8:10 am

  I have had nothing but one problem after another since I bought this car and it only had 12,000K miles on it! Now after I have spent $2,000 plus a $1,500 warranty, I am going to take a huge loss on the trade too. This car stinks and now everyone knows it. Just save yourself the trouble.

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  So far, so good - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JSN - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Love my car. Had it over two years now, and no major problems beyond mass airflow sensor which was replaced under warranty. Looks new, fun to drive and I get many compliments on it. Still under 16K miles though and kept in a garage. Road noise is a bit on the loud side.

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  3 years 35,000 mi - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jessica - August 15 - 11:26 am

  This is a very fun car to drive - we bought prior to birth of 1st child and expected to have it for 10 yrs. Now expecting 2nd child we realize two car seats will not fit the very shallow back seat. I have not experienced many of the mechanical/interior issues as other posters.

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  Best Car I Have Owned - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By chris - August 14 - 11:03 pm

  This is by far the best car I have owned. Its safe, I get about 30-35 mpg on the highway, and the car is quick out of the box. I did have mine chipped by GIAC and I am now in love with this car. The gas mileage is the same and its a blast to drive. Also, I have yet to take it to the dealer for any warranty issues. VW has stepped up their quality big time from previous generations. This car brings me back to my first car which was a 1984 Rabbit GTI.

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  Why buy a GTI? - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Tim - August 13 - 7:36 pm

  I bought my Rabbit in June of 08 as a replacement for my 06 Nissan Frontier which was swallowing gas by the gallon and losing value faster than the Big 3 and couldnt be happier. My Rabbit is a great car! The 6 speed Triptonic Auto is more than I could have ever asked for. Very peppy car, will go when you want it to, at the expense of poor mileage however. I average 21 or so in the city and up to 28 on a freeway trip. Interior quality is second to none, love that German engineering.

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  "Beauty is the beginning of terror!" - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Chuck - August 13 - 4:30 pm

  I bought the most beautiful 2005 New Beetle convertible ever built. Midnight blue with beige interior. And thats the best thing I can say about the car. Nearly four years and 30,000 miles later and I can only tell you to avoid this product at all costs. If you must, lease it. Engine compartment fire, windows on the passenger side disentgrating on thir own, water pump, brakes, front struts, burned out headlights, check engine lights come on whenever they please, poor gas mileage on 93, convertible roof is moody, plastic and rubber parts fall off in the night to be found on the floor in the morning, interior peels on hot days, locks wont work on cold days, new radio, I can go on,

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  Diggin it, would buy again! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Roy Robey - August 13 - 12:10 pm

  The first trip in my Jetta GLI was from Chicago to LA. I averaged 29.4 mpg including pulling the grapevine both ways. This car has awesome acceleration. Its ride is slightly bumpy but it is a sport suspension. It corners like it already knows the way. The biggest complaint from my point of view is that my wife seems to take it to work whenever I am not paying attention! You gotta love it. The paddle shifters are easy to get used to and the shift times are out of this world. I love my VW!

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  Love our Passat - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Robert Clark - August 12 - 7:10 pm

  This is our third Passat having bought a new 1997 diesel and 2004 diesel. We love the diesels but gave up on VW ever getting the Passat diesel into North America. VW always seems to be three steps behind the marketing curve. We are quite pleased with our 2009, even though it isnt a diesel and we certainly miss that mileage. It handles beautifully but is noisier than our 2004 due to the low profile tires. We bought new tires and went one size up and the noise decreased. Our big gripe is that VW dropped Homelink from the Passat but not the Passat CC. Another braindead action by VW. Their response to my inquiry: "Our marketing plan for North America does not include the diesel or Homelink."