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:

• 

  A Few Kinks, but I Love It! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cindy - June 19 - 1:00 pm

  I traded my Jeep because of gas prices and love this Jetta. I had done earlier research on the Jetta back in late 90s and was not impressed but this year was a completley different car. I love the ride until you have to floor it, would be nice to have a little more pick up and go when needed. I have a driver side sterio speaker issue that I need to fix, the car does start up kinda loud but then it goes away and runs smoothly. The trunk space is GREAT and the numerous other german features are wonderful and I enjoy! I have hit 45-50 miles to the gallon driving wisely, or maybe I just got a good engine.

• 

  Thumper is a Great Drive!!! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By DrJohnston - June 19 - 7:00 am

  The Rabbit is a great car! It handles very well, but is still fairly compliant on the rough streets of cleveland. The automatic is great. I love the three settings (D,S,Tipi). The shifts are a little slow, but not bad for a slush box. Inside the car is great except for the lack of a center arm rest. The stereo sounds very crisp! Out of the comparable cars, Honda Fit, Scions, Civics, and such, I found this to be the best car on the market.

• 

  Pretty Nice Car - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JesseJ - June 19 - 12:50 am

  I purchased a 2007 VW Jetta 2.5L. I like the looks of the Jetta from the outside more than I do the inside. Overall, it is nice and fun to drive. It is a good vehicle for the money. I didnt look at any other car except for the Honda Civic, but didnt like its new body.

• 

  Love my Jetta GLI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By james w. - June 18 - 11:00 pm

  My 2003 Volkswagen Jettqa GLI is fun to drive, has lots of power, and looks and runs great.

• 

  Great automtive investment - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By QuantumSyncro - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This used car has been fantastic. It gets near 50 mpg and the ride is great. Sound build and rattle free even at this mileage. Would definitely recommend a used VW TDI to anyone who was considering a diesel. These late 90s TDIs are very reliable, even moreso then the 99.5s and priced very reasonably.

• 

  Fantastic car..when its not in the shop - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Still in Texas - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta new in the summer of 1997. The engine, transmission, brakes and handling have never let me down. I am absolutely amazed at how well the major components work and how poorly the other components function. Since, Ive owned it, Ive replaced the side molding (twice), the rear tail light, and an interior light. The A/C recirc button malfunctioned, the passenger side locks freeze every winter. Once the passenger side lock actually came out as I pulled the key out of it! Several other little problems as well. This can be a very enjoyable car to drive, just be prepared for all the little repairs that neeed to get done every 6 months..

• 

  Never Again - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tomperk19 - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I have a 99 Volkswagen Jetta GLS (new body style). It is so unreliable, thank god I have an extended warranty. Just had the transmission replaced, Gaskets replaced, since it had NO oil in it (no warning lights), a switch that releases the transmission from park position. The list goes on and on. Waiting for my window to fall out. Heard thats a big problem too.

• 

  1996 was better - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RegLap - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my second VW purchase. Nothing but problems with my 2001 VW. My previous purchase was a 1996 VW. Great mileage great handling great repair history...BUT my new 2001 VW UGH!!! ignition coil problems, oxygen sensor fail. map sensor fail, power window stuck open during rainstorm! SAME power window stuck open AGAIN after first repair.Soft brake pads needed replacement after only 19,000 miles .My car has spent more time back at dealer for repair than in my garage

• 

  Poor Performance for 310HP v-8 - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By KJ1128 - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Very poor performance off the line for a v-8, Seems to spend most of its energy shifting through the gears (six speed). Leave plenty of room before you pulling out in front of on going traffic!!! Or it can get scary. My Toyota V-6 will run circles around it. No way to open the hatch with a manual key. Hatch locks evertime you close it. If I want it locked, Id like to be the one to do it!! Lose the rear head rest - driver cant see over them. Funky key - should detach the FOB from the key.

• 

  Family Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By bwc - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Chose this over SUV. Fine and practicle for our family. Handles great and very fun to drive. Lots of extras.