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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  Smartest Decision Ever - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By brenda - March 28 - 5:46 pm

  This is my first VW and all I can say is "wow." Ive always been a a fan of Nissan and Honda but am I ever glad I decided to check out this car. I bought mine in Feb. 06 and have put 8,000 trouble free miles on it. Everything is perfection with this car with the exception of the drivers seat which lacks comfort under the thighs, but Im a short driver so for someone of average height it probably wont be an issue. This car is a real looker and people are always asking "what kind of car is that?" When I tell them its a vw they cant believe it.

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  2007 Rabbit 2.5 - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By kendall - March 28 - 4:46 pm

  I have owned my Rabbit for one month now. Ive put just over 1,100 miles on it and have loved every minute of it. The car is responsive and fun to drive. Im really happy with my Rabbit. I just wish it got better gas mileage. I drive 30 miles one way to work every day. So far I have been getting around 25 MPG average.

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  Love at First Sight - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By falkender - March 26 - 1:06 am

  Traded in an almost new Camry for my luxury model CC. Just had to have one. Have absolutely no regrets. Fun to drive, beautiful and easy on the gas.

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  190k and still hauling! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By mrspeedster - March 25 - 3:00 pm

  I do not know why so many people have had bad luck with this car. bought it at just under 100k miles, put on about 85k in the past 4 years (i drive alot of cross country for my work). Made sure to do a carfax and got it checked by my mech before i signed anything. In my case, the car was religiously taken in for maintenance every 4k miles to a VW dealer (one owner). Seems that the previous owner took care of the major "quwerks" the car had (water pump, cv, alt, vacuum hoses, fuel pump) since i bought it: tires (x1), brakes (x1), oil change (x5), injector service (x1), o2 sens (x1) the only thing annoying is that the dash just started showing 50% brightness, and heated seat went out, eh.

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  Comments on the Rabbit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By blas - March 25 - 2:16 pm

  The VW Rabbit is a fun little car. For the price that you pay and the options you get, it is amazing. The downside I found is that the manual gets fewer MPG then the automatic (must be because they want you to spend the extra $1075 for the auto) but the manual is a lot more fun. The ride is very bumpy but I have come to expect that from smaller cars. Other then that I highly recommend to any one this car. The price is right and the options (for base models) beat out any other car of the same size.

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  Frustrated with computer related prob - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By cmn168 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my brand new 2003 Passat on 6/28/03. Towed to dealership on 7/6/03 with 113 miles, due to computer prob. Picked up the repaired car on 7/9/03. Towed to the dealship again on 7/26/03 with 581 miles for similar computer prob. and the car is still in the shop, as of 8/1/03.

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  Jetta Wolfy Sweet - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JDel - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Well, if you plan on buying a Jetta 1.8T I would highly recommend it with all honesty. Ive put 36000 miles on my Wolfsburg and have never had a problem or felt that I was not in control of the vehicle especially on curves and with highway "pass the bad driver" moments which occur 73% of the time these days. Driving the Jetta is truly an exciting and fun experience everyday and still feels like it did the first day of purchase. Quiet, quick, and comfortable would be an appropriate description. I would be hard pressed not to buy another VW in the future.

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  First and LAST VW - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sara - March 25 - 2:13 am

  Love the car but mine was a lemon. Features are great, love the German design. Never own one without at bumper to bumper warranty

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  Bills jetta - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bill - March 24 - 10:06 pm

  This is my second TDI Jetta, I also had a 2001 and my wife purchased a 2003. We have been very satisfied with the car, its performance and reliability. I had 60,000 miles on my other car when I sold it to a friend. This is a great car. If I were to improve it I would make the rear seat leg space larger and I would quiet the interior so you would not get as much road noise.

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  Good car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hellogoodbye - March 24 - 11:46 am

  I own a 2001 jetta and it is very great I love my car and would recommend it to everyone if youre careful and actually take care of your car the inside would deteriorate. If youre also careful the engine shouldnt break nothing should really go wrong unless its something you did or the previous owner did. Also it should come with a cd player or at least mine did. its great reliable and the best car to have