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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  Fear and Loathing - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 1stSUV - December 5 - 11:40 pm

  I bought a 2005 Touareg without researching after my first test drive. Nine days later, in the shop, I was given a loaner, and 30 days later a new 2006 model! The 2006 is a big improvement, fun to drive, and very comfortable. Its gas milage is horrible, but shes pretty. I wont buy another, but as long as she runs Ill realy enjoy her.

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  Vdub SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By John Barna - December 5 - 4:20 pm

  The Volkswagen Touareg is one of the best vehicles on sale today!

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  Jetta Wolfsburg - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By arodriguez - December 5 - 2:23 pm

  Just Leased the Jetta Wolfsburg. So far and it has only been 2 weeks, this car has far exceeded my expectations. The MPG is awesome (28mpg) the car has great pick up when needed. The interior is very well built and looks and feels like it should be in a $30k vehicle. It has a few faults that I have noticed. The biggest is there is no room for anything. Center console is way too small and having the aux jack in there is not the most well thought out feature. The passenger and driver seat adjustments are a little difficult. Other than that fit and finish on this car is great.

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  Best Van on the road today - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Greensboro NC - December 5 - 2:46 am

  Purchased this van to replace our 93 MV with 193,000 miles. This Eurovan has been exceptionally reliable with 132,000 miles, everything works on this van virtually no problems. Only replaced tires and brake pads, 19 MPG on REG gas, By far the best van in the world bar none.Family of 5, son is 6 2" and fits with ease. Lots of space, comfortable, fast, handles like a VW known for, great visibility, sit up high, fit and finish still like new, cloth on seats show very little wear, AC is awesome, love overhead AC vents, Has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, wife loves it, kids love it, friends say it is cool and will ride in ours but not in minivans. I would buy again and again!

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  I Would Marry This Car If I Could - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By chik_ricer007 - December 4 - 11:26 pm

  I drive my 2006 GTI on the weekends through the mountains and can really take the turns. The pickup is awesome too.

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  Dont Fall Under The Cute Spell! - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By harvestmoon - December 4 - 8:40 pm

  Fell in love with the cars look and would be a happy camper if it werent for all of the little hiccups the car had. I owned this car for 6 months. In those 6 months the top stopped working, the door locks and the cd player malfunctioned, the inside started rattling and squeaking, and the gas gauge broke. This was a 2007 NBC! If you are thinking about buying this car, please keep looking. Maybe a mini? Believe me when I say HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! If you already own one...good luck!

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  VW is great to me! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By I LUV VW! - December 3 - 11:43 pm

  I bought it used but the previous owner only had a slight problem with the moonroof. Ive put tons of miles on it and very few problems. Something got in catalytic converter, and a radiator support thing snapped when I hit a 35 degree angle at 40 and bottomed out suspension. Great reliable car! Never fails to start (if you dont run down battery), very fun to drive, doesnt burn oil, sturdy trans! Great car!

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  First Mini-Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By love-the-routan - December 3 - 6:33 am

  This is my first mini-van and I am more than happy. The price was very fair compared to competitors and the ride is so smooth. Visually, I believe it is the best out there.

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  VW CC 2010 Sport -Auto - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By rodjpr - December 2 - 5:17 pm

  I purchased my 2010 CC Sport black exterior about 3 months ago with 25K miles and very good gas mileage.

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  Great buy! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fjl-v - December 1 - 7:43 pm

  Was lucky enough to buy a 2005 V6 with only 8000 miles, now up to 12000 miles. Free of any problems so far. I love to drive it; it is luxurious with a quiet ride, has an impeccable interior, great handling, feels solid and very safe, definitely underpowered with the v6, recommend driving in the S mode, transmission and shifting is great, heavy and poor acceleration especially when compared with my 2006 X3. The stereo system is disappointing at any volume above 21 (especially the bass). If economy is not your concern, buy the V8 or V10 diesel version.