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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  Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By passat - August 12 - 3:53 pm

  The 2006 Passat looks really good, weve gotten a lot of compliments on it. It really gets up and goes when you need it to. Its got a nice size trunk and rides really, its well (really comfortable). I think that its design is really good and would but it again!

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  The best minivan in the next few years - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Thegooddriver - August 11 - 9:46 pm

  I researched for months before buying a Minivan and when I decided to, the VW Routan came out. Months prior, I have test-driven other minivans, but most have issues with either road noise/breaks or rattling. Then, I test- drove the Routan; I was impressed for it is very smooth, very quiet and does not produce road noise. The VW suspensions also absorb rough and uneven surfaces very well. Ive been advised to go for the Japanese minivans, which are reliable. Well, they are, but Id rather deal with thinking how long the Routan will last than dealing with road noise and rattling that will surely distract me every time I drive. With VW and Chrysler combined, it must be somethingÂ…

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  Fun to drive German - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By psupdx - August 11 - 7:23 am

  Own this car for one month. It is truly fun to drive Passat compare to other imports. Love the look inside and out. It drives like 6 cylinder car, thanks to turbo. Consequently, it consumes gas like 6 cylinder. I average 22 to 23 mi/gallon on 60 freeway/40 local. My old 2000 Maxima was better than that! I had to check the car with a local dealership for rattling noise from driver side glove box and door panel. It was fixed once and came back. So its been at service twice for the same issue. Hope this problem wont come back.

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  Poor Quality and Terrible Service - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By mstu - August 11 - 2:00 am

  For all those who love their car, wait until the coil(s) fail 200 miles from home. VW will not provide free transportation. They will also not replace all the coils. You get back in your car and are still driving a car with faulty coils!!! I will not let my family drive this car further than walking distance from my house. Do yourself a favor and make a different choice. I also own a 2000 GLS Jetta that has the same type of problems and same terrible service.

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  What A Pioneer - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve B. - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This car is phenomanal. Not only have I had none of the problems that other reviewers have had (Im soory that theyve had those problems by the way, they are missing out) but it is the most fun to drive car around. Nothing has acted up, nothing has failed, and nothing has been replaced. This car is a definate buy.

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  New Beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By rosey - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Lots of little things go wrong with it.....power windows, hub caps fall off, signals dont work, leak in cooling system. Poor warrenty.

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  Never Again - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mstu - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Never have I been soooo disappointed with a car. 5 O2 sensors and 2 mass air flow under warrenty. Now the warrenty is gone and I am looking forward to service visits every six months on my dime. Car has burned 1qrt every 1000- 1500 miles since new. No offer of assistance from VW. Made the huge mistake of buying a 2002 Passat for our second car. Same type of problems and same lack of customer service. Should have stuck with my Ford Escorts. Much cheaper and never had any problems with the three I owned.

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  Excellent - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrea Lopez - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I was very skeptical about buying a new car. But i know that buying the jetta was one of the best decisions i have made. the jetta not only makes me feel in affordable nice car but a fun car too. I love the jetta it has given me what i wanted. Relaible, fun, comfortable, and sexy.

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  Hondas&Toyotas = More Reliable/Less fun - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By questioning purchase - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Car has been in for repairs 6 times since I bought it new 5 mos ago. There is a disconcerting rubbing/grinding in the steering. All steering parts were replaced and Im battling VW with lemon law violations because the problem still is not fixed (after 4 attempts). The national lemon law representatives for VW overlooked the problem and didnt give me the time of day. Also, the door is rattling loudly despite replacing the window guide, door panel, broken clips, and two other adjustments...VERY frustrating! Disappointing gas mileage. Ive been getting 18-19 mpg city; mid 20s highway w/ 5spd manual 2.0L (A/C NOT in use), flat surface driving.

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  This car rocks! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 1.8TFan - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my car, It is fun to drive and peppy. Its got plenty of pick up which is pretty handy when getting on a freeway, or when you just want to drive around town. I would absolutely recommend this car to a friend, as a matter of fact my husband bought one shortly after I bought mine.