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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  Drivers wanted, They got one ! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bsutto04 - April 16 - 3:20 am

  First, I love this car, Its excellent in so many ways. I feel so safe and comfortable at all times, althought the seats are kinda tiny. Im 511, and feel a little squished, but the cars makes up for it in handling, performance, looks, head-turning capabilites and so many others. I have had a couple problems. The rear doors got jammed and wouldnt open. VW fixed that, and the heater takes FOREVER to heat up! Otherwise, I love it!

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  Worst car Ive ever had - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Candy - April 16 - 12:41 am

  My gas cap wont open, every time I go outside my trunk is open, when I try to close it, it pops back open and just beeps like I locked the car, and if you get your keys wet your SOL because they dont have key holes.

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  2008 for the commuter - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By longCommuter - April 13 - 1:50 pm

  I just picked up a year end 2008 Jetta 2.5L stick for $15,200. I was on the fence between a Honda Civic & a Camry for a comfortable, yet long commute (90mi ea way). Although I read mixed reviews on the Jettas gas mileage, and that may be why I didnt consider buying one. However, Ive been driving the car and getting good gas mileage, 29mpg mixed driving. I recommend this car if you want a well-engineered car thats responsive, handles like a much more expensive car and is fun to drive.

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  I THOUGHT it was the best small car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By What Happened? - April 13 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a used 1.8T six days ago from a respected VW dealer. I loved the ride quality, the safety rating, the performance and what I thought was excellent build quality and reliability. I was very wrong about the latter. Within three days of my purchase the sunroof started malfunctioning, the front suspension began to squeek, and within SIX DAYS, the engine malfunction light came on. AFTER SIX DAYS!?!

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  Great Car--better than the Hybrids - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alabama Jetta - April 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, better than the hybrids. Luxury at its best. Buy it if you can find one--it is a sellers market. It is a fun car to drive, great gas mileage, looks neat at night. Dont worry about the $70 oil change--you only have to do that every 10,000 miles. The sound system is great, seats are great. I love this car and think it is the best I have ever had. It is quieter than my Honda Civic. Buy this one, you wont be sorry! The best is the GAS MILEAGE and remember---diesel is cheaper than gas-- the Prius and Civic Hybrid cannot touch this car! BUY ONE!!! It shifts great! Easy and forgiving....

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robb K - April 13 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy driving my Jetta. Also, the sales associate who helped me with this purchase was great and should be commended!

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  My Lemon - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SmartyPantsGirl - April 13 - 10:00 am

  My new beetle convertible was in the shop over twenty times in a six month period! The top broke a total of sixteen times, the windows stopped rolling up and down, my transmission went out at 4,000 miles, my brakes failed me while on the freeway at 6,000 miles, it puffed out all kinds of white smoke... It was a mess- do yourself a favor and save your time and money, I filed the lemon the law and got all of my momey back.

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  Love this Car / Hate the Cost - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By m dahl - April 13 - 9:00 am

  This car was made for me! Everything about it fits someone under 5 feet tall. I love the turbo motor, but the electrical problems have been very costly. That makes me regret this purchase. A VW rep told me they had subcontractor supply problems from 2000-2002. I could not find any info along those lines before buying the car and I certainly wish I had!

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  Best Luxury Under 150K - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By brzmkla - April 13 - 7:26 am

  for about 1/3 less than its cousin, Bentley Continental GT, the Phaeton delivers an unbeatable mix of luxury, safety, and comfort that is unmatched in its category. A hand-built quality to its finish, 4 wheel drive, an ingenious indirect ventilation system, a decent gas mileage (about 18 mpg over the last year), make this car the best value in its class, beating hands down the S500, 745iL, and A8. Test drive it and youll be sold as well.

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  Good car...If You Have a Lot of Money to Waste - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kevin - April 13 - 7:00 am

  This car is fun to drive and all, but I dont know how much fun it can be if you see your bank balance going down so fast every time you go for a repair and you have to go for a repair just like you go for a hair cut. It may be its just happening to me, I dont know, but its very frustrating. Ive also owned a Japanese made car and it ran fine even until 100,000+ miles, without any issues until I sold it. The car is comfortable for long trips, luxurious, very fast and stuff....but all the money we have to spend on repairs just undermines the positivity. This is not a reliable car.