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 - dont own without a warranty - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sam70 - July 12 - 8:10 am

  The car is great while under warranty. At about 80k the cars starts to need maintenance and is expensive to repair. If you have this car buy an extended warranty

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  07 Passat - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wisconsin Driver - July 12 - 5:33 am

  So far we have had this car for about 4 months. My wife absolutely loves her car, she feels it is easy to drive and the most comfortable we have ever owned. I like the sporty feel (when she lets me drive it), and it never lacks for power. If you are looking for a new family car check out the new Passat, you will not be disappointed.

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  Blue Tiguan SEL 4 Motion - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Tom Shelestak - July 11 - 7:13 pm

  Outside and in suv is very nice. Couple of things I need to get use to. Needs better engine. Loved my former TDI Jettas power on the low end. Shift changing starting out is sometimes wacky when accelerating slowly. Trying to find the right gear?? Stop start engine at red light is different for me.Test drove Rogue, Cx-5, Honda, and both Subaru Suvs. This suv seems more refined less cluttered inside and simpler. I am older and heavier. Lotta room, seats comfortable.. adjustable back seat. Easy in and out of car. Very quiet and softish ride. Great steering and brakes. Less than 500 miles. Not exciting to drive but very competent. Multiple driving scenarios. I choose ECO. Havent played too much yet with them. Fits my driving style. 6 yr -72000 mile warranty!! Bought suv. All in all I love this vehicle a lot.

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  Relatively Good Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Beth - July 11 - 12:00 pm

  The car ran great until 20,000 miles, then for no apparent reason, the back axle bent. Nightmares followed.

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  dont but a volkswagan! - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By migo - July 11 - 10:00 am

  i bought a jetta about two years ago from a private owner. i had a diagnostic done and it passed with flying colors. shortly after i bought it, it needed a alternator and belt, so i took it in to get fixed. $1,000 later, i went to service my car....$900. then my transmission went out for no apparent reason...$4800!! the car is a nice car if you have money to pay for repairs and service. i learned my lesson after spending $6500 in repairs in a little less than two years; the hard way.

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  Word - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bmac - July 11 - 10:00 am

  haha a great car

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  Happiness = Golf TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By TDI_BUFF - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up my new TDI yesterday in Las Vegas and drove home to Salt Lake City with a smile plastered on my face the whole way. I chose the GL model and sacrificed the sunroof and alloy wheels on the GLS, but it was well worth the $2000 savings, in my opinion. I decided on the Golf because of the many safety features and other standard equipment not available on other cars in $17,000 price range - Civic, Altima, PT Cruiser, Legacy, etc. The mileage with the TDI is icing on the cake!

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  Cant beat the German engineering - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Aerospace Gerry - July 11 - 10:00 am

  This car now has about 35000 miles on it, and there isnt a single squeek, rattle, or annoying vibration sound to be heard anywhere. A rock solid machine, in the finest German tradition. The 1.8T rocks and yet gives me like 29 MPG while doing freeway speeds of 70+ MPH. The clutch has a nice full "throw" to it, and the braking is excellent. Only design flaw I can find is that the drink holder is hard to move to the closed position after its been opened. And more importantly, it covers the opened ashtray when deployed. This makes it difficult to plug in my cell phone recharger into the lighter receptacle. Big Ger...the Aerospace Guy

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  The Prince of Darkness is German - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pete Montero - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Aversion to warning lamps? Avoid this car. Latest: "Emissions Workshop" lamp triggered by failed airflow mass sensor, causing engine to run rich, emitting too much unburnt fuel in exhaust. VW claims not covered by 8yr./80k mile emissions warranty; EPA would be interested in cause if not coverage of warranty, Im sure. This is 2nd failure of engine electronics; not a good track record. Also, body creaks/groans dont live up to teutonic image of car. Embarrassed that I fell under spell of features list and sound of V6; VTEC 4 cylinder next for me.

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  So far so good - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dermderm - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car because of the styling and the need for the four doors (baby). I have read other reviews in this column after purchasing my car and they scare me!!! But I have had it for a couple months and no problems. Love the handling and the hiss of the turbo but is it just me or does this car have really bad lag? Hopefully a chip upgrade will solve the problem!