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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  I like this car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By joe p.e.g. - June 11 - 10:00 am

  This car has been great through the years. Its fast too. Lotta pep. Way the nicest car in its price range.

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  Makes you look real smart! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By VolvoOwner - June 11 - 10:00 am

  First drove one as a Volvo service loaner and liked the firm handling. Excellent engine response and good turbo kick. Found 1.8L had sufficient pick up. The cool styling sedan is definitely a head turner on the road and the metallic blue finish (better than the other 4 shades of grey/silver) is a real knock out. Simple, sleek looking alloy wheels. The front leather seats are comfortable and the steering wheel has a sporty but rich feels. Monsoon CD sounds great. A very smart German buy as opposed to wasting $ on a locally assembled 3 series, which is inferior in terms of ride, comfort and handling.

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  Passat Wagon what are you waiting for - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By glbose - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our Passat wagon for a year now. We drive about 25,000 miles in a year and we are very pleased with the performance, gas mileage and the fact that my wife feels very safe driving. Its exact tracking even at high speeds and crisp maneveurs and its solid feel (like driving a vault0 make the Passat an excellent choice for a family wagon. We have the 1.8T turbo 4 cylinder and never want for power to pass or to merge. The faster the engines revs the more power you feel. I am totally and completely satisfied.

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  Passat - A Good Vehicle - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Paul - June 10 - 3:20 pm

  This was my first sports sedan and after four years of owership, I consider the Passatto be a very good choice. The car performs well in all weather conditions in upstate NY and is fun to drive. Its reliability has been significantly better than the new GM vehicles I have purchased in the past. With more hp and the value of a VW (vs. BMW, Volvo, etc.), I would strongly consider buying another the next time I buy.

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  I Love This Car! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Janice Marie - June 10 - 9:16 am

  This is my second VW. At first I was hesitant to buy the Eos since I love and miss the look of the Cabrio (my first VW), but it was time for a new car so I bought it. I love it! Even though I cant put the top down yet (purchased in Dec.) it is still so fun to drive with the top up, especially since it also has a sunroof! The car is beautiful all around and runs like a dream. The only thing I would change is to not have to continuously hold the button down to open the top. A one-touch opening would have been nice. But let me tell you, when it opens, it looks-as my 5 year old niece describes- like the Bat mobile! It is a great car and I would recommend it to those who really love convertibles.

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  Its all that and a bag of chips ! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By msfiggy - June 10 - 2:00 am

  In addition to owning a 2003 Jetta GLI, I also own a 1996 Jetta GL (which is why I went back to VW). This car is fun to drive and exudes a performance class that stands all by itself.

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  My dream bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By topdownbug - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This is the most enjoyable car Ive ever owned in my almost 40 years of driving. It is so stylish and although I like many other cars - nothing says pure fun better than a bug and when you add the topdown to it - its the best!! I have a second car that I drive in the winter - so my BUG is truly a great toy for me!

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  Updated Review from previous one! - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By alexx52093 - June 9 - 9:42 pm

  I wrote a previous review on this car as well and would like to update it! My 11 Jetta SE w/ Conv/Sun now has 50k mi on it! It has gotten me through this brutal winter that hit the east coast w/out a single problem! Always starts, never fails, ever! I use it to commute 120 mi round trip to school every week, and I deliver pizzas with it on the weekends! I take good care of it, but it does get some hard use! Build quality isnt fantastic, and Ive had a few issues with some cheap panels breaking and I had a minor electrical issue w/ taillight. All fixed under warranty and not much of a hassle at all. All cars have quirks and issues of their own. But you cant beat this car for the price!

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  Passat - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rocky96 - June 8 - 2:20 pm

  This is a fun car to drive. The tiptronic transmission is awesome. The four wheel drive makes the handling of this car exceptional.

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  Passat V6 is wonderful - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jimmer - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car. Has met my expectations in every way. A performance sedan that is fun to drive - all for a reasonable price. I recently upgrade from the OE tires (Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus, 195 width) to Bridgestone Potenza RE950s (205 width) and the car handles better than ever.