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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  Ultimate Small Hatch GT - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By Boz - February 26 - 4:56 pm

  My respect for VWs new R32 grows with every drive. The sounds that emanate from the exhaust when pushed turns pedestrian heads. Yet the supreme comfort of the seats and adjustable wheel makes the perfect driving position available to anyone. The dual zone climate control quietly keeps the car comfortable and the systems auxiliary heater gives me warm air within a minute even at single digit temps. 4Motion works effortlessly in snow while the DSG automated manual impresses with its quick, smooth shifts. Handling is much sharper than the GTI when turning at speed as the engine tourque is split between all four wheels. This car definitely has the soul of a long distance autobahn cruiser.

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  VRsechs - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vrsechs - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car since January, and being a VW enthuiast, I am very pleased with the GLX. The engine has plenty of torque and horsepower, and with the addition of my chip, suspension, rims and tires, and exhaust, the performance has only been enhanced. I did have my turn signal cluster go out, which cost $150, and my coilpack went bad, buth this can easily be avoided with $5. Great car

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  Excellent Engine POOR Everything else - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wss6 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Drove this car with clean highway miles and easy on the clutch; Was fun to drive for first 6 months. Since purchase I have replaced 3 ignition modules, 2 wheel bearings, body molding, door locks, and a myriad of other mechanical and body components. When the dashboard lights failed and the check engine light came on for the 2nd time I got rid of the car. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE - DONT BUY THIS CAR. I will never buy another Volkswagon.

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  This car will surprise you! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By MBekefi - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This car will surprise you with its refined diesel engine, the power, the fuel economy, and so much more. If you think diesels are horrific, this car will change your mind.

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  Clutch Goes At 29000 miles? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Schwaggydog - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ok i have had my Jetta for 3 months now and i have had to pay 1500 to get my clutch and fly-Wheel replaced and I asked a friend that restores love bugs and he said that it has a hydrolic clutch that is damn neer impossible to beun out yet VW says it was all my faut.But last wed some trick rearended me and pushed my Jetta under a pickup truck totaling the jetta which i guess ended the saga of that car. The two things good about the car is the proformance and the car held its ground in the accident other than the fact that the air-bags didnt go off.

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  Great car, couple of issues - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Andy L - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable ride. Good mileage around 30mpg. Love the fresco green color. Two negatives about the car are: 1) delay in acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear, 2) poor visibility out the back window because of the head rests getting in the way.

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  quick, loaded with features, Fun! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jim Driver - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven my Jetta 1000 miles, and I am really having fun with every mile! The manual trans, excellent handling, braking, and turbo have made me feel like Im in a rally car- with interior comforts and luxury. Performance is VERY good. City fuel mileage is not great at about 25.7 right now.... I rate the build quality so far as excellent, except some stray door rattles, and everything works great. Amazing features, attention to detail- gently dimming lighting, trunk release, and the unique remote key. This is my 9th car, probably the best overall quality. LOVE the interior lighting - I could drive this car all night long!

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  EXCELLENT COMMUTER - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By imangymoose - February 25 - 12:39 pm

  This car is average 42 miles per gallon over 3000 miles of which 70% is highway and 30% is in town. No problems so far

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  great German car! - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By creed hyatt - February 24 - 4:43 pm

  I bought this car about a year ago, and have really enjoyed driving. Auto trans can shift hard occasionally, had some problems with the ABS & Check Engine lights coming on - but that could be because my mechanic couldnt figure it out - I never found any performance problems when these lights were on. Overall its a great car, very comfortable, plenty of power. My only complaint is the lousy gas mileage - I have never gotten the claimed MPG.

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  Beware of Problems - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jac Lavone - February 24 - 12:36 pm

  I have had two Volkswagen Touaregs and had nothing but headaches. VW doesnt want to deal with many of the ongoing issues and they eventually refunded my payments and took back the vehicles. The truck is beautiful until you have your FIRST problem. Then, run!