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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  Fun in the Sun! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bino Bug - April 17 - 5:13 pm

  Weve had nothing but a fine experience with out VW Beetle. We orginally went shopping for a Mini Cooper, but we fell in love with the VW. The performance and features as well as price were comparable to the Mini, but the available service in the U.S. were the turning point in our decision to go VW and we our so glad we did!

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  Awesome and Fun - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Chaofee - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Great fun car to zip around town. Terrific VW stereo sounds with an easy to operate top! Car is solid for the price and drives like a German engineered car without the sticker shock!

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  Bugbug - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Greta - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, not enough power, dash too long.

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  Goodbye to Volkswagen! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VW........HATE IT! - April 17 - 10:00 am

  We are nearing the end of our 3 yr lease term on a 2000 Turbo New Beetle and I couldnt be happier! This is without question the most unreliable vehicle I have owned in the last 12 years (out of 8 vehicles). I have owned 2-Chryslers, 2-Jeeps, 2-BMWs, Pontiac and now this junker...what a mistake. Problems: too many O2 sensors to count; catalytic converter; dead car (only to start mysteriously within 1 hr); gas cap cable; emergency brake cable; coolant loss (where did THIS go?); etc, etc. 2-yrs and 24K miles on the warranty...should have been a message at time of purchase: VW KNEW THIS ONE WAS A STINKER! Buy American!

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  awesome - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kerryhale - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife...I want it back for myself. And i HATE cars..I drive a big pickup truck. Fit and finish are first in this cars class by a wide margin. Acceleration with the turbo engine is exhilarating (or at least exhilarating for a car under 23,000, that is). Everything about this car is nearly perfect. I am completely satisfied, more so than with any car we have ever owned. I would STRONGLY recommend this car to anyone, even someone who can afford 35,000- 40,000. You wont find more car for your money.

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  My 1st VW and my LAST - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By louloulane - April 17 - 1:26 am

  Beautiful eye catching car. Too bad its not reliable. I have had to have it towed 3 times in 3 months back to the dealership. We bought 2 VWs on the same day, an Eos & a CC. The Eos has been such an unpleasant experience it will be the last time a VW is owned in our family. 1st time and last time for a VW for us. Ignition, electrical,turbo problems.

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  42,000 Miles of Happiness - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Curtson - April 16 - 11:33 pm

  Ive had this car for 42,000 problem-free miles and have enjoyed all of them. It has a 5-speed manual transmission and 4-Motion which has been a great combination (no longer offered) for handling in all conditions. The drivers seat is the most comfortable car seat I have used. I never get sore on long trips. I find the seat in my wifes 2005 Camry to be far less comfortable. The gas mileage has been better than expected: 32 mpg @ 55-60mph, 30 mpg @ 65-70mph. The acceleration is way too much fun. My 18 year-old son doesnt care for the way it looks, but after driving it, said it is a hot car. I no longer let him drive it by himself. I want to drive this car for a long time.

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  Ive Been Pleased...So Far - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CCDangie - April 16 - 2:23 pm

  I purchased my 3-year old 02 Jetta Wagon with only 5,100 miles on it and in ten months I have put 20,000 miles on it and have had no problems. The car is very quick and agile (VR6) and fairly comfortable for my 63" frame. Ive had no issues with the car other than the wipers sit lower on the windshield than the defrost vents. This causes them to freeze up in the winter. Also, the transmission is extremely choppy and never seems to know what gear it wants. Plus, the gearing is too short so my gas mileage is only around 23, which is not so good. All in all, its a blast to drive and I plan on keeping it for quite a while.

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  My Car - the Two Ps - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gary T - April 16 - 8:31 am

  The two Ps are plastic and performance ! Yes - the car is fast and does very well on the highway. Its sporty but not flashy - but I love it anyways. The 2.5L motor gets up and goes thru traffic - all for a price which is gas milage... On the highway - from Las Vegas to Loma Linda, CA - less than half a tank (going an average of 80 mph). The car loves 80 and up !!! Handling is another WOW ! I have those sporty tires and rims - makes a big difference !

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  My Car - the Two Ps - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gary T - April 16 - 8:31 am

  The two Ps are plastic and performance ! Yes - the car is fast and does very well on the highway. Its sporty but not flashy - but I love it anyways. The 2.5L motor gets up and goes thru traffic - all for a price which is gas milage... On the highway - from Las Vegas to Loma Linda, CA - less than half a tank (going an average of 80 mph). The car loves 80 and up !!! Handling is another WOW ! I have those sporty tires and rims - makes a big difference !