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:

• 

  Fun for a while... - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By carrdrivr - June 20 - 3:47 am

  Fun with utility thanks to its hatchback nature, but it does fall short in a few ways that may be a deal breaker for some. Road noise - It may be the result of being a small hatch or the fact that there seems to be no sound insulation, but the interior of this car is loud. When I say loud, I mean very loud. Driving over concrete or rough pavement will make you plead for mercy. Quality: The soft materials are nice but the construction is lacking. Interior rattles abundant, loud engine noises, suspension squeaks and creaks, thin paint (chips constantly). Comfort: Nice sport seats but uncomfortable on long drives. Deal Breaker: 25mpg (hwy+city) in a small car (VW can do better).

• 

  Car driving is fun again - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By silvergc - June 19 - 8:50 am

  After many years of telling myself that my next car would not be under- powered, I finally have one that isnt. Its amazing how much power VW gets out of this 2.0 L engine. The car is no lightweight at 3300 lbs, but the engine still delivers enough torque to push you back in the seat when accelerating. This car is a joy to drive. Much more so than other cars in the same price-range and size. The only problem I have with the car is the red and blue instrument lighting. Human eyes are real sensitive to red light, its good for low light situations. Blue light focuses at a different point than red making the instruments harder to read than if only one color was selected.

• 

  Never Again - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By AmigaMan - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is the most unreliable car I have ever owned! If it could go bad or break it has. I first bought a 1998 New Beetle because of the looks, it had so many problems I got rid of it within one year. I figured that by the 2000 year models, they would have the bugs worked out, WRONG. Same problems as the 1998 model plus some. I cant believe it, what a piece of junk. It is so unreliable I will not let my wife drive it, I am afraid she would get stuck out somewhere. The dealer and VW of America are NO help. Never, Never again, no more V.W.s for me!!

• 

  The New GLI 1.8 Turbo ( ture GLI roots) - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Javi Blue Lagoon - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is not your usual Jetta. The new GLI is a performer. With its true lowered suspension, 18” BBS wheels and aggressive looks, it’s sure to turn heads everywhere. The New GLI is what VW should have been in the beginning. I owned a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T 5 speed Sport Package, let me tell you guys and gals out there thinking of getting a GLI 1.8T. The new GLI 1.8T is like a night and day difference. Since supposedly this is the last year of the MK4 body style, I hope VW has repaired all the bugs. I’m for sure going to enjoy my New GLI 1.8T, thanks VW for finally listening to us.

• 

  good looking poorly built - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By hodad - June 18 - 10:00 am

  The car breaks down incredilby easily. My starter failed as did my airbags.

• 

  My Awesome Jetta! - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rene Strynar - June 17 - 11:58 am

• 

  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By 5speeder - June 16 - 10:00 am

  Have driven mine over 5k miles and its been flawless. This car is FUN to drive. Love that turbo! Mileage has been as advertised. It looks great in and out. Im a convert from Japanese cars and hope itll be as reliable as my Toyota and Nissans! I dont understand criticisms of this cars pricing. For what you pay, its real value.

• 

  Seriously Consider before you buy!!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J.A.W. - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I was so happy when I bought my Jetta! It was a great car until around 24,000 miles. The check engine light began coming on and every time I took it to the dealer they said they fixed it but several days later it came on again. This happened multiple times and the people at the dealership (Airport Auto, Santa Maria, CA) were extremely rude and made me feel stupid and tried to say that they couldnt find any problems, although the light was coming on!! BAD SERVICE! VW of America was much help either.

• 

  Most recognized shape in the world! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bug Me - June 16 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 Beetle TDI has 47K & not one single problem solid car! My Beetle is Cool White; loaded, with gray leather & every option I could order. I had the rims chrome plated; it has the Monsoon Sound system and WOW, talk about LOUD & clear! (It will blow you away) Very fun to drive handles extremely well & always gets attention from all ages. I cant go anywhere without having people approach me about the car. On the road I get the thumbs up, the peace sign, (better than the finger) people wave and kids jump up and down. A continuous 47–51 mpg. I commute daily 120mi round trip I figured with the fuel savings the car will pay for its self in 10 years.

• 

  love it - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By paulie - June 16 - 10:00 am

  best car to just drive or turn it into a autobahn burning maching.