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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  Better that Cayenne, $20K less - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ptorl - August 4 - 2:00 am

  The Touareg with a Premium Plus Package (PPS) has a much nicer interior than the Porsche Cayenne. The air suspension allows for a very comfortable ride over frost heaved Midwest roads. A similarly priced Cayenne S was a very harsh ride (did not have air suspension)and did not have the luxury or features of the Touareg. Very pleased with the vehicle. Had to wait 2 months for delivery, as the factory made very few with Black exterior and Anthracite interior.

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  Think twice - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Cooper / Napa - August 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Touareg in Nov 03 after looking at and test driving pretty much every SUV on the market. We liked the safety features of the Touareg and all the extras that came with it. My electrical problems started about 1 month after we bought it. My "check tire pressure" light would come on constantly. Dealership had to replace something, I guess this is a common problem with Touaregs. My car is in the shop now for the 2nd time because it just wont start. I have had to have AAA come out and jump it and take it to the dealer where so far they cannot find the cause. Something is drainign battery dont know what it is.

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  Water Leaks Galore - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kit - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Jetta in the last 4 years due to severe water leaks on the inside of the car. The first was so severe that I had to lease a new Jetta. The same problem has happened twice now to the same car. The water has damaged the carpets and created an awful mold smell in the car. Volkswagen will not acknowledge that this is a problem. Never happens when the car is driven. Only when sitting in one spot overnight.

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  like it - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ro - August 4 - 2:00 am

  very good money invested

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  Great car! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By a.m.k. - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I test drove so many cars before the Passat and was immediately sold. I love everything about this car, and am so happy with my purchase. I love to drive this car and have found nothing negetive about it. I have and will strongly reccomed it to anyone I know shopping for a car.

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  Awesome CUV! Cant find a better match! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Dat - August 3 - 11:10 am

  Gotta write a review for this one. This car has a very nice firm ride, sporty look inside out. I love that big 13 cu. in. moonroof, gotta have it. It makes the car more open, airy, and relax while cruising. The 18 in. wheels are hot. Nice xenon headlights; it uses the same xenon lights as DRL (daytime running light). Quiet interior. Feel roomy inside with well designed spaces. It actually about 1 foot shorter in length than a 09 Honda Accord coupe, surprising!? Engine power is adequate; wish that it came with DSG transmission; and eventually TDI engine? Bluetooth is standard on 2010 models, but not 09! :( Dynaudio system w/ 600 watt upgraded for the 2010 models w/ 2 extra speakers.

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  My Passat experience - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sam in Agawam, MA - August 3 - 10:00 am

  There is not an aspect of this car I have not had problems with in six months of ownership. The original tires were awful (Goodyear) & the replacement Dunlops helped quite a bit. The wheel bearings, inner tie rod ends, ball joints, and transmission output bearings all needed to be replaced at only 50 thousand miles! The car is currently in the shop having the transmission removed on account of a worn gear that determines the speedometer reading. The engine knocks when hot, despite the new coil pack I installed on the car six months ago (the original was cracked.) I cant wait to trade this in.

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  3 months and still drooling.... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By swconlinefl - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Got to love the latest Passat! Luckily they have fixed most of the minor annoyances in the earlier runs (98- 01). The cup holders are great, finally. The boost in horsepower makes a great difference in traffic. My only beef is the autistic Monsoon Stereo that seems to have a mind all its own. Overall I love this car even more than the day I drove it off the lot. I test drove the new Camry and Altima which felt bland and cheap in comparison. Overall I love this car even more than the day I drove it off the lot. Happy driving...

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  Nether Buy Jetta - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kira - August 3 - 10:00 am

  My car was in service 17 times in 2 years. Couple times they kept the car for 4-5 days, because they do not have parts (?!) and need to consult factory engineers (?!). Engine malfunctions, oxygen sensors, water pump, multiple electrical problems, security system failure - all "excitements" of going to service almost every month + endless hours in a way trying to get some answers from Vw service. With very appealing interior, its very poor quality makes this car absolutely unreliable. Please, do not make your life miserable - do not buy Jetta.

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  hsssssssssss - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lovin the vdub - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. Upset that the 2001 has only 155 hp and the 2002 has 185, but these things can be fixed. Easy to work with and one of the best manual cars I have driven. I put about 20,000 miles on my car a year for work and I have never been uncomfortable for a second. Nothing like the feeling of driving in 6 inches of snow and not having to worry about the ABS or traction control not working. I was passing most of the all wheel drive vehicles.