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:

• 

  Great looks - No reliability - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nathan - September 16 - 4:46 am

  Electronic problem with ABS system. Radiator sprung a leak. Electronic problems with air flow. Electronic problems with rear breaks. Master brake cylinder had an internal leak. Brake light switch is defective. Horse power and fuel efficiency are lower than spec. Power windows do not operate properly. Side mirror adjustment dial poorly made, for that matter there are cheap plastic parts throughout this car. Arm rest latch broke, ashtray for year passengers will not stay shut. Lower black grills in front of car fall out. Front bumber cover pops off. Black paint around dash board peels off. Cloth interior poorly made and glued down. The door locks have barbs on them that pinch skin!!

• 

  Quite A Car - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By charlie cooper - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Just got back from a 5,000 mile trip with parts of it through the Arizona desert. This car with the V8 will keep up with any traffic. None of the "gee I wish this trip was over." The car was so much fun to drive I wished we could keep going!!!!!

• 

  LOVE IT! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MHH - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I loved it from the first time I saw it and knew I had to have it. Its classy and has so many standard features. No others can compare. We got lots of snow this year and I am so impressed with its competency in all weather conditions. I have a very steep driveway and it walked right up, no problem.

• 

  Silver Ride - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By ohmiee120273 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This is just an awesome car to drive. Im a former Accord owner and I think my Passat is a much better car than the Accord was.

• 

  OWN 1 - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MARCUS HURT - September 16 - 2:00 am

  LOOKS GOOD EXCLENT WARRENTY LOVE THE IN SIDE LIKE THE BLUE DASH LIGHTS NOT TO SURE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SOME TIMES SHIFTS VERY ROUGH

• 

  Excellent - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Michael Messina - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, drives great, comfortable interior, quiet ride, and very safe. Couldnt be happier.

• 

  my jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By oscar2056 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Its an ok car i like it i wish it were cheeper to keep up and and didnt have as many problems

• 

  Fun Car. BUT, in shop every 3 months! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason-AZ - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The car is fun to drive. But, there are so many problems with the emission system the car has to be taken to the dealer about every 3 months to be fixed. Sometimes the car is out of comission for several days while parts are being ordered. This car is not reliable.

• 

  my new beeeeetle bug! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By stank - September 16 - 2:00 am

  candy apple red with after market wheels and porsche rims. its a very nice LOOKING car, very sporty, easy on the eyes you know... one of the things i love the most is night driving in it. get a little sleepy at night driving for long distances. two things strike me : one, the lights, absolutely ILLUMINATE the road. its wonderful. the other is, the actual build of the car. when playing music, it actually feels like the music surrounds you. its very easy to get things in and out of, as the seats dont just move forward, they actually LIFT UP and tilt forward. easy to hop friends and children in and out. maybe car seats some day too;)

• 

  Sassy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By nirefry - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I wouldnt trade my VW for anything. The only problem that Im having with my little topless bug is that other people are jealous that they dont have one, too.