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 Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By STEVE C - July 30 - 4:13 pm

  My Jetta GLI is the best car Ive ever owned! Its super fast, comfort, luxury, and style all rolled up into one. The turbo is awesome and overall it has quite a ride! Keep up the good work VW!

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  Sporty cruiser for the family - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By groovyvwroutan - July 30 - 3:33 pm

  We have owned our SEL for 2 years. Totally satisfied with this spirted and practical vehicle. VW no cost service is excellent and makes the experience of owning a Routan easy. We have had zero out of pocket except gas. We will go back in a few years and get another VW. Leather is nice.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Danburry - July 29 - 8:50 pm

  I bought this car new. I have loved every minute of it. The stereo is great! Overall It is a great car. So fun to drive in twisty roads. 6 speed manual makes all the difference.

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  Completely Unacceptable, My last VW - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By unhappy - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Since I leased this car Ive had the a/c compressor replaced (6 mo. after getting the car), 2 cd players replaced, steering column replaced (which Ive read is locking up and causing cars to SHUT OFF while driving, so BE CAREFUL if youre between 55-65k) spark plugs, catalytic converter,and either the fuel injector(s) or coils will be replaced at 55k, once I on my own figure out which is actually faulty. I would 100% not recommend this car to anyone. I was so excited to be getting a passat but after all of this, I will NEVER AGAIN purchase, lease or go anywhere near a vw. My crappy 1996 Hyundai Sonata was more reliable.

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  New 2006 Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By John B - July 29 - 3:56 am

  I bought this car to replace a 1999 Pathfinder. I bought it for the gas mileage and so far I am getting 30-32 City and 40-42 highway. I am very satisfied with almost all aspects of this car except the air conditioning. My wife has a 1999 Beetle and it cools far faster than the Jetta. I have only 2,600 miles and have taken it back to the dealer for the A/C. I was told there is no problem with the A/C, but it takes between 3 and 7 minutes for very cool air to come out. I find I have to put it on recirculate to get it cooled faster.

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  This car wins on most every score - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By bobmitch - July 29 - 2:58 am

  Fun to drive with plenty of get up and go. Surprisingly spacious interior, both back and front. Im 5-10, 210, so I need space. This car is really comfortable. Economy: Ive checked the mileage now on 4 tanks of gas, driving mostly flat areas on freeways and city streets -- 50+ MPG, 56 on last tank. I watch my mileage, love the mileage indicator. I got the fully decked out Sportswagen with the big sunroof and navigation. Ive never used a sunroof before, but I love this one. We use it all the time, almost like having a convertible. This is no doubt my favorite car, having sold my Ford Expedition EL. The last car that I loved this much was my 1973 MGB Roadster.

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  Just get one! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JSWARTS - July 28 - 7:26 pm

  What a awesome car. After having a company van & having to give it up, I decided I wanted a car. My wifes car is a great Jeep grand Cherokee. This little car surprises us everyday. What a awesome car. I cant say it enough! Just go get one. I had a 84 gti... The best VW ever made... First VW in 20+ years

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  Very frustrated!! Dont buy - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By fjklajdfkdl - July 28 - 10:00 am

  7 trips to the repair shop, with 9 problems and it only has 26,000 miles. 3 window problems, 3 dead batteries, oxygen sensor, air flow meter, rock shield on underside of car rips off when you go over speed bumps even at a slow speed. Drivers side mirror blocks your view of other vehicles, especially at 4 way stops. I love driving the vehicle, but just too many problems.

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  SUV/minivan alternative - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Texas Greg - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my wifes car but I wish it were mine. I love driving it on weekends. I bought this car because I think its the safest car for the money. It has side airbags and head curtains standard plus ABS and traction control. It scored very well in crash tests (best in class). We (4 of us) drove this car from Dallas to Toronto and it performed flawlessly. Very smooth and comfortable. I drove 8 hours per day but did not feel tired at the end of the day. I was amazed at what we packed into the back of this wagon AND still could use the privacy screen.

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  Little annoyances of the Wolfsburg... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lr - July 28 - 10:00 am

  1.8T and sport suspension is great. Fun to drive, but not much more. The car gets serviced every other month for annoying problems. The passenger and driver windows have been fixed twice, sun roof broke, in hot weather sticky gue leaks out of doors, interior lights dont work right, passenger door doesnt close right, I could go on...