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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  Passat Highline 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Michael23 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I own a German spec Passat Highline. It has many features not avalable here in the USA. The 1.8T engine is great for tuning (chips, exaust, and intake) I have easly 220HP from a 4cyl petrol engine. This is a great car to drive and identical to its twin sister the Audi A4 1.8T. I recomend both cars to anyone. Im a loyal VAG customer and sometimes the dealerships here in the USA dont know there heads from there asses but those are the minor things compaired to such a great looking ride. Danke! Michael (Miami, FL/Munich Germany)

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  Great BANG for the buck - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By deepclue - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This car feels like a luxury sports sedan to the point of making it a bargain. I just cannot imagine why I would want to pay so much more for an Audi A4. Only problem I have found is some rattling on the dashboard, and some squeaks from the door insulation.

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  TDI Convert - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AGL - May 20 - 10:16 pm

  Call me a convert! I ditched my 07 Chevy Tahoe for some TDI fun. I waited several months for a TDI sport wagon and it was worth the wait. This car is a joy to drive and the mileage is fantastic. I drove a friends hybrid Camry, and a Prius, before testing the TDI. There is simply no comparison. Toyotas hybrids are great at what they do, but I couldnt imagine driving one on a daily basis. This is my first VW, and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the diesel option in the new Tiguan so my wife can have a little fun. Zipping around town in the Jetta is loads of fun, and I am looking forward to my first road trip.

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  VWs sleeper - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By The VW that could - May 19 - 6:56 pm

  If youre looking for performance, and BMW-like build quality that the Asian cars cant touch, look no further! This car gets up, in any weather, and youd be amazed at the things that will fit in the back of this thing! Performance, versatility, and a great look, the car cant be beat! The seats are amazing when cornering at the cars limit, but truth be told, theyre a bit restrictive for everyday use, in my opinion. You get it all: the good, the bad and the ugly!!

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  Brief Review - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chance - May 19 - 11:00 am

  Execellent car. Ive modded my car to my liking and it has not cost too much. Also, there are group of people who own VWs that you can meet with in your local area and learn more about your car and how to modify it.

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  Brief Review - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chance - May 19 - 9:53 am

  Execellent car. Ive modded my car to my liking and it has not cost too much. Also, there are group of people who own VWs that you can meet with in your local area and learn more about your car and how to modify it.

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  Luxury, Small, Sporty, Comfortable - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Happy Tiguan Owner - May 18 - 1:56 am

  I drove almost every SUV in this price range. VW did not have a competitive lease program until January 2010. Its not as quiet as an Equinox, but quieter than anything else I drove. The ride is sporty, with a tight suspension, very composed. The seats and arm rests are very comfortable. There is plenty of power. The Wolfsburg trim had everything I wanted. Very classy interior. It revs at a higher rpm on the highway than the Passat which has the same engine and trans. I guess thats why it gets worse mileage. Expect around 22 overall and 28 on a trip between fill ups. The 2.0 turbo diesel would be great in this suv. Make sure it has enough room for your cargo.

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  Impressive car on multiple fronts - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By kscommuter - May 18 - 12:20 am

  Purchased this car in December of 2011 and have put 49K miles on it. It gets over 40 to 41 mpg and I typically drive 79 mph on my 180 mile daily commute (all highway miles). It will get upper 40s mpg if we lower the average speed to 65 to 70 mph. The ride and handling are very good. The car is nicely equipped for a base model, with a very solid feel and generous cabin and trunk spaces. The diesel engine is very responsive in combination with the manual transmission. The 10,000 mile service intervals for the oil change and basic service are great. I opt to use the shop my husband works at for this basic car maintenance versus paying a VW dealership the overpriced fee of $400.00+.

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  Outstanding - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ihristov - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Everything you can expect from a German car. A bit spartan, but everything is though-out to the minuscule detail. I love it. A fun car to drive. I would recommend it for everyone that likes to drive a little sportish. Excellent handling. In 2 years and 30,000 miles have not had any problems.

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  2004 Touareg V8 - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By ikephil - May 17 - 10:00 am

  After ten days of driving, this vehicle is amazing. Combines sports car cornering and acceleration, luxury car goodies, and off-road brute force.