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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  Back to its Roots - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By robd - January 26 - 9:46 pm

  This new GTI is everything the hot hatchback should be. Its quick off the line, has plenty of room and usability, is incredibly fun to drive, and gets pretty good gas mileage. I traded in my 02 Jetta for this car, and went from a true manual to the new DSG transmissoin, but couldnt be happier. The new transmission is what got me interested in this car, and I have to say it has all the benefits of both manual and auto trannies, and no drawbacks. The new styling is splendid, and the plaid interior makes you get in and say "I love this car"

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  Good, Solid Fun - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By xbeetle driver - January 26 - 9:43 am

  My 2001 New Beetle has proven to be reliable, stylish, and economical. I get a steady 26 mpg in my dail commute. It cruises easily above legal limits showing it was designed to run German autobahns. Great seats - no bun or back aches after a day of driving. Excellent German engineering at a rock bottom price.

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  Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vincent - January 25 - 6:06 pm

  Ive had my Jetta TDI for a year now and have to say that Ive been pleasantly surprised with it. Its gas mileage is great, as expected. I get around 42 mpg around town and just completed a 2,000 mile trek where I got nearly 52 mpg! It is surprisingly fun to drive (and quiet) for a diesel. I love it!

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  Rabbit - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Matcy - January 25 - 5:05 pm

  Awesome

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  2006 - GTI 2.0T - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jon - January 25 - 2:10 pm

  This is a really nice car. It has a strong motor, is really responsive, and is well built. It only lacks in one area, the stereo isnt anything special, its tinny and has no quality. Other than that this car is awesome.

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  APR Stage II GTI Makes all the differenc - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By wydopn - January 25 - 12:33 pm

  I have always been an Honda person. This is my first VW - and I loved it from first drive. The feel is very different from the SI and Speed3s that Ive owned. I just had the car flashed with APRs stage II and this car is now unreal! Im getting 26MPG around town and over 30 on the freeway plus I can blow past most muscle cars as long as I get a rolling start (otherwise I cant stay connected due to excessive torque).

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  06 VW Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J. Baker - January 25 - 3:40 am

  The Jetta is very fun car to drive. The turbo diesel engine has plenty of get-up-and-go power and plenty of passing power. The Jetta is very comfortable on the road and has a sports car feel to it. It comes with lots of options that standard that make the ride very comfortable. It has heated seats both passenger and driver. I haveo regrets about purchasing this car. It is a fine automobile.

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  Love it - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ohio - January 24 - 12:46 am

  I have owned my Jetta GLX for thirteen years. It is fun to drive, goes like a soldier through snow, and has minimal rust for its age. I had a head gasket problem which necessitated an engine replacement (or so my mechanic said), but that is the ONLY repair I have had other than scheduled maintenance. Interior is top quality, still looking fine today, the trunk space is great, and I have had no problems with exterior body trim. I am still running the original muffler, though the fore intake pipe on the first unit is broken and the car is a bit noisy. Thank goodness for cage straps which make it able to delay the replacement a bit longer. Overall, I am very satisfied.

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  Perfect car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 100% Satisfied - January 23 - 5:06 pm

  Im a proud owner of the 06 Jetta and from the moment I drove it off the car lot Ive been nothing but in love with it! I recently took in on a road trip and got GREAT gas mileage (30 mpg) it COMFORTABLY seated 3 adults & a baby whos in a car seat. I have nothing bad to say about this car at all! Its 100% amazing!!!

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  Love This Car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason - January 23 - 8:50 am

  I just bought this car and it has been in the shop a couple times but it has been for small things. I love it, the appearance is awesome and is very fun to drive. I love the VR6 model, if u buy a VW then u have to buy the VR6 or the Turbo version of this, any other model is junk. There are so many performance options to this car but yes parts are expensive. My headlights are fogging up and its 200 bucks a light and for a new key its another 200 so if i were gonna go through a dealership for these thats 600 bucks. But if u look on-line you can find lights dirt cheap. so people bashing this car look for parts on-line, you will save money.