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:

• 

  Still thinking about it. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Driver - May 14 - 11:06 am

  The Volkswagen Touareg V6 handles great. It is not affected by high wind and standing water like most cars. Its brakes are a bit grabby, but very effective. The transmission has some slop when starting off from a rolling stop. Its acceleration is very good but has some dead spots unless you use the sport mode or tectonic manual feature. Premium fuel is necessary to maintain performance. I would have bought the V8 except that the price difference was to great. The low range selection is effortless and what a power trip. I love that feature. The seats support 200 pounds without crushing. I have been experiencing some problems with forward vision during turns. The windshield posts get in the way. Im still waiting for all the electronics to stop working; its loaded with them.

• 

  I expected the Best! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Don - May 14 - 9:53 am

  I purchased my VW used. I drove a BMW Z4 Coupe prior and have owned a Turbo S Beetle and C5 Corvette. This Passat is what I expected...thats why I bought it. I considered three premium used sedans over the Passat. A Saab 93, Caddy CTS and Audi A4. This time it was about VALUE. Everybody is complaining about comfort. I have those sport seats in my Passat that come standers in the VW CC. So far Ive made three trips from LA to San Francisco and one LA to Las Vegas. Excellent mileage! Im very and looking at the CC next

• 

  You cant beat buying a Passat off of lease. - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By jimbogus - May 14 - 4:14 am

  I only buy vehicles that have three or more years of depreciation. I compare VWs to Toyota / Honda in reliability without the price. To purchase a late model competitor like a Camry or Accord youd not only have to shell out more money but you also get a vehicle with more mileage. Im very happy with the Passat as it drives with a more firm / sporty nature as compared to other vehicles in its class. Its like an inexpensive Audi A6 but without the price but also minus the luxury. The 2.5L motor is a quality engine with no turbo to worry about and a timing chain that never needs to be replaced. I get 26 MPG average and the vehicle wont need much maintenance over its lifespan plus its got enough HP with good gearing to pass on the highway with ease. All manufacturers have reliability issues here and there just inspect the car well or take it to an independent mechanic for evaluation before you buy. The best feature about the car is the very spacious passenger compartment and large trunk. Go with the 5 cylinder 2.5L and not the turbo diesel ... the TDI has allot more maintenance and quality issues so whatever you save in fuel cost is spent on keeping it on the road.

• 

  I love this car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mcorn - May 13 - 2:53 pm

  I already have 10,000 miles on the car. Absolutely no defects. I have about 70/30 highway/city split in miles. My average over the past 10,000 miles is 39.9 mpg. My best mpg was a trip up a mountain from 1000 ft to 5300 ft for 56 mpg round trip (44 mpg on the way up). The car keeps on getting better and better gas mileage. It is really fun to drive. I smile every time I fill up. It is remarkably faster than I would have expected, I can pass just about anyone. I love the handling. You definitely wont regret buying this car. It is for the guy who hates wimpy hybrids, but wants to save some gas.

• 

  looks can be deceiving... - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By wvmechanic88 - May 12 - 6:23 pm

  Bought this car with 100K mile on it. car looked good. ran fine. the little 1.8 turbo engine really runs good. great handling at high speeds. now for the cons... after about two months the ignition coil packs started going out one by one. have replaced some twice. then its the crank position sensor. then the exhaust. next was the windshield. no dings in it but is just cracked for no ryme or reason. when i first saw the car it was love at first sight but that didnt last long... expensive repairs that never stop.

• 

  Love this car! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brett G - May 12 - 10:36 am

• 

  Love this car! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brett G - May 12 - 10:36 am

• 

  Great Car!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By mattrees - May 12 - 10:00 am

  We have owned this car for a year and half and have only had one problem that was immediately replaced through recall. This car runs great and is a pleasure to drive. I especially like the interior layout and amount of room.

• 

  Fun to drive, but costly to maintain. - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Bensfo - May 12 - 10:00 am

  I would never think of getting any car other than GTI, but the reliability of this vehicle is a nightmare. Expect to spend at least 1000$ a year when your warranty is up. The last thing was emission system failure that costed me another 400 bucks. My wife drives a Lexus and I never spent a single dollar on that car despite its twice older than my GTI. Now I dont believe any more in "German engineering".

• 

  1st VW and pleasantly surprised! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By utahgti - May 12 - 10:00 am

  Lets see, where to begin. Well, firstly, i bought the car used with 4500 miles on it ( and its 2 years old ) "issues" were the rubber interior door drivers handle was peeling ( not warranteed ), the passenger seat release was broken ( warrantee ). I have owed subaru, pontiacx2, nissanx2 and finally this VW. Since owning the VW for just around 3 months, it is my most favorite vehicle of all of ones i have owned (*pleasantly surprised*) A friend, VW owner x3 now, said dont expect japanese reliability but german character ( handling / feel ) I will have to see how the reliability is after awhile.