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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  Best Sports Sedan Value - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jeff Greenberg - October 10 - 6:46 am

  I have had this car for 3 years and 40,000 miles and it drives as good as the day I picked it up. I came from a Saab 9-3 and looked at buying a new one until I drove the GLI. I also considered the Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 328I and Infiniti G35. The GLI handled and performed as well or better and priced up to $10,000 less. If you are looking for a great handling, powerful sports sedan without having to say "Look at Me" this is the car for you. I dont look at this car as an overpriced Jetta but as a bargain BMW. I have been so happy with it that I bought the car after my lease ended. This car has incredible build quality and plenty of room in the cabin. You will not be sorry!

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  Passat Wagon - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rubas - October 10 - 4:36 am

  Purchased new in December 2007. Just got my 30000 check. The dealer changes the oil every 5000 miles no usage between changes, no brake problems, in fact the only problem so far was the radio had to be replaced. Completely satisfied with the car except for needing premium fuel. On trips I get 32-33 mpg.

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  Needed help... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By ezra - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Now that this well built but bland wagon has been retired, (17" Yokos) lowered (Eibach) and tuned (BMC, Wittenhauer) it is a well made, comfortable, practical and fun sports wagon.

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  Quality a problem - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By belliott77 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my GTI new just over a year ago and was extremely happy with it for about 3 months and then I started getting rattles in the dash that the dealer has been unable to get fix, their attitude is, what did you expect... and now I am getting more rattles in the door panels. The quality just isnt what it should be. This is my 5th VW, but unfortunately it will be my last.

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  A disappointment - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MylastVW - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my third VW and when I drove it from the dealers lot, I was very pleased. Since then there has been the problem with wear and ride of my Good year Eagles (dealer replaced), the springs popping out of my from seats, the MAF sensor ($400 for the part), the constantly blown driver side break light, the dead alternator (36,000 mi, $850 to replace), and finally the front window lift failures (acknowledged as a defect by VW after many years). And need I say the long wait times for a maintenance appointment at the dealer.

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  great car! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jabeal - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive - fantastic handling. No problems.

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  perfect car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By guney - October 10 - 2:00 am

  its great car for its price

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  shh...she thinks im a corvette.... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kiddlekat - October 10 - 2:00 am

  my convertible is black with tan interior,named Ringo cause its a beetle. i am really impressed with vw they have made a small car but with large car details (side airbags)the convertible is very roomy even the back (i have twin 13yrolds) is good not for long trips but for the beach and back its great.

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  Wouldnt buy it - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By miamicustoemr - October 10 - 1:33 am

  Car is too heavy, get ready for changing brakes and tires every 20K miles even with my wife driving it. Worse warranty in the industry. poor pick up performance due also to the weight. Horrible customer service, road side assistance sent my car to another dealer across town and it was sitting in the parking lot, no one knew about the car even after being assure by the customer service department that they had received the car. If you must buy this car I suggest at least never buy from south motors in Miami.

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  Im an Idiot - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By quest - October 9 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this car brand new, two weeks later when washing it I discovered what looked like the back window had been broken and replaced. Long story short, it had been broken during transport and nobody knew...? The best they would do is give me free maintenance for two years as compensation. Then while fixing the window, they broke a strut in the trunk. They just fixed that and now my heater is broken, no air and no heat. My speakers seem cracked, they found nothing. The car revved high and the light came on, they again found nothing. I have under 6,000 miles on this car. Im "farfromgroovin" right now!