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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  the anti-midlife crisis mobile - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dandune - July 18 - 2:00 am

  had bugs throughout the 60s. 2 vans, 2 bugs, and a ghia. one got chopped into a baja. then i bought an american car. ...got screwed! then i started buying japanese, reliability was amazing, but got bored. wanted a beetle when they first came out, but didnt feel the waiting lists were worth it. Well, i finally got around to buying a turbo bug... ...wow handling, pep, comfort, all first rate i like the car, and i like the way it makes me feel when i drive it. no pretense, and i live in the land of pretense.

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  Smooth and understated - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Frank Denver - July 17 - 12:03 am

  Bought my W8 used after a failed Infiniti trannny from mountain driving in Colorado. After 52,000, it has been my best car to date (Lexus, Infiniti, Subaru). The W8 matched to the auto tranny is as smooth as you get. The handling is refined and very solid. With snow tires, Ive had no problems even in the mountains west of Denver. There have been no mechanical issues and my overall cost of ownership has been lower than expected. 22mpg mostly highway running between 80-85mph. I get tons of compliments on this cars BBS rims and the overall look.

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  Great German SUV - Go Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Robert - July 16 - 7:46 pm

  What a wonderful German engineered SUV! It is the best in its class, by far. I have had no problems with mine.

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  Stay away! - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By A.W. - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Too many problems to specify. This car has been in the shop more times than all the other cars I have owned combined. The electrical system has failed numerous times. The sunroof track has broken four times. The AC and vent system has malfunctioned since I bought the vehicle. Luckily I purchased a used car warranty with the purchase. I have most definitely gotten my moneys worth. I have heard from others who have also owned 1997 Passat wagons who have had as negative experiences as I. I am very VERY disappointed.

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  Passat Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By RRGDDS - July 16 - 10:00 am

  The car seems to ride and handle great. Love the lights on the dash at night. Seats are very comfortable.

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  Overall, great car! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LVMYJTA - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Im sorry others have had so much frustration with their Jettas. I had a bunch of things go wrong in the first 6 months, but they were all fixed under warranty, so I dont really mind. Nothing has broken twice and nothing has broken out of warranty (36,000 miles in the first year). This dealer and service department are top-notch. I drive an hour for service -- even for oil changes! They are as cheap as Jiffy-lube, and they know its a VW, not a "Volvo" like JL tried to tell me.

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  Fast , Fun & Safe - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Velvet Hammer - July 16 - 10:00 am

  After weighing all of my options, looking at competitors vehicles. I decided on the best car. The Jetta 1.8T w/ the Tip-Tronic and 17" wheels. The other cars were boring and all looked the same. This one stands out for performance and the "Fun Factor".

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  2002 Jetta GLS 2.0 Automatic - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jack Carter - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I am thrilled with my car. I had a 1995 Jetta III, and a 1997 Jetta GT. They were good cars, but dont compare to the 2002 Jetta. In fact, I brag so much about my car that two of the girls in my office are now driving Jettas,

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  ouch! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sorebutt - July 16 - 10:00 am

  I loved my new Jetta until I dove it for an hour. The seat is very uncomfortable! Am I the only one who finds this to be so? I sure hope it breaks in. Otherwise, I love the car.

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  Why are so many people complaining? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SkydiverMN - July 16 - 8:30 am

  I currently have 165k on my Jetta GLS 2.0L. Besides some recall issues (window motor module, and a catalytic converter) the cars been fine. Sure, there are wearable items that go, and I recently did a suspension replacement (tie rods, ball joints, lower control arms, struts, and rear shocks) that cost about $600 for parts. Otherwise, its a solid runner and is fun to drive. Would I but another? Sure. All cars eventually have most (if not all) of the issues that Ive run into.