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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  Might as well buy one - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By lschw - February 4 - 5:16 pm

  Got a 2006 GTI after my 2004 GTI was destroyed by lightning. I dont like the non-linear response of the turbo, but after two years and 16,000 miles I no longer care. This GTI is more powerful, faster, and much roomier than before. Gets 23mpg in town and the low 30s @ 75mph with cruise. In mkIV GTIs the ESP (traction control) would slam on the brakes at the worst possible time. No longer. VW has transformed ESP into cornering ecstasy. Take a corner too fast, it scrubs off perfectly. Step on the gas in high speed corners, some wheels accelerate and some brake, the car digs in, and away you go. Only a computer can calculate and respond fast enough to do that. Just amazing!

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  GTI - Fun, Fun, Fun - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By wthomasoh - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought the GTI because I was tired of driving around in large vehicles and it was the only car I found that fulfilled all of my requirements: Fun, zippy car to drive. Room for running kids to school. Room for tools in back. Practical for all year use. Under 25k. Good interior finish quality. I LOVE this car!

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  Love it! - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Miker - February 4 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd Eurovan....first was the camper, but didnt camp enough. This is much better for us, and really great to drive! Although the family thinks its a little boxy, they really love the interier and its comfort. Recently traveled with 5 other adults and all raved about the comfort and how quiet it is. We love it!

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  Fun To Drive! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By H.L - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I had my Passat for 2 years and still love it! It handles well and has lots of room in the backseat and trunk area. I am a design student and have the need to carry a great deal of projects. Not a problem with the seats folded down! The only two issues that I have with the car is that I had to replace a tire on the car to the tune of $450.00. Just one tire! Also, if I had it to do over again, I would have spent the extra $2K and purchased the V6. The 4 cylinder is not responsive unless youre at higher speeds and the turbo kicks in.

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  Drive one, youll be hooked! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By tina50 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this car on Oct 11, 2003 and I couldnt be happier. My husband and I literally looked and drove 20 different SUVs. It came down to the MDX or the Touareg. And based on price and standard options the Touareg won hands down! Definetly go drive one!

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  Fun drive - Mediocre reliability - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kmm - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car for my son back in May- 2003 and I must admit that it is very fast and a blast to drive. The car handles and performs well except for a bit of turbo lag. Interior is adequate. Having been spoiled by Japanese quality, I was dissapointed with unreliability of the car. Since buying it 5 months ago, it has been in the shop 5 times - 3 little things like a broken trunk lock and twice for dead batteries. The volkswagen dealers been very good throughout however, providing loaner cars, etc. Overall we like the car, but would suggest you consider the trips to the service dept.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Diesel Guy - February 4 - 9:06 am

  The Jetta TDI is a great car. It has good power and I have been getting 41 MPG to a high of 49 MPG with all highway driving. If more people would test drive these little diesels they would buy them.

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  Very Nice - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By pduggs - February 4 - 6:40 am

  I bought it new. First foreign car I have ever owned (grew up in Detroit) and it is by far the best car. Looks great. It is very quick and handles nice. No problems with car and it now has 48,000. I have been told by a mechanic friend the key to German cars is you must maintain them very well.

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  Its AWESOME - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LuvBug - February 3 - 10:50 pm

  This car has the same engine as the Audi A4 but performs way better than an A4 (I had driven an A4 for a while). It can go fast, and Its fun to drive. The overall handling is very good which I really didnt expect!

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  1999 Beetle- would buy again! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VW girl - February 3 - 3:56 pm

  have had this car for years, love it! just got totaled in a major hail storm, will buy it back and keep driving it! minor flaws: driver mirrors too high for shorter people (Im 54") impairs view when turning. cup holders are for change etc. or small bottles. was in moderate wreck few yrs back hit in rear 40 mph by SUV pushed into ford f250. beetle came out out great! I had very minor injuries! safe car! passing it on to my daughter today.