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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  Excellent Car For Around $25K - - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By Piaffe - May 15 - 10:00 am

  We considered the Prius, the Fusion and the Audi A3.. This car was the best choice by far. Very well made, great low end performance, great mileage, plus driving the car makes me smile. Much better value then the Audi A3 and the performance leaves the Toyota and Ford in the dust.

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  No Problems for us - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rochestervwowner - May 15 - 10:00 am

  My wife purchased this for her summer car and we garage it from November thru April. The only problem we have had was a stuck spring on the passenger seat, and that was probably from my nephew slamming the seat back to hard. Covered by warranty, no questions asked. Otherwise, the car has been a joy to own. The oil changes are 20.00 more expensive than usual. No big deal. Liked it so much we bought a Passat, which has been equally great. I was surprised to read all the comments about problems with this car as we have had none.

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  only lemon NOT - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By JUNKOWNER - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I also have had most thing replaced on my car. a/c, wipermotor, turbor, sensors are being changed all the time fuel pressure, and other things, timing belt as suggested 2 months ago now its in for a motor problem possible cam chain broke or tenioner they keep changing their mind on whats the problem..and the exterior is rusting in odd places such as the middle of the doors.

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  tdi - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By ray - May 15 - 10:00 am

  the vw sportswagon that we purchased has such a smooth ride and the seats are comfortable on our backs while driving or as the passenger, the idea of not bending over into the trunk to pull out grocerys is also a plus, we belive that we bought our best car.

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  Love this car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By amanda may - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! 2010 jetta wolfsburg preforms and handles awesome! Gas milage is average for this class and design is on point! I love the touchscreen that comes standard on the wolfsburg and the new interior redesign for 2010 is amazing. I really preferred this model over the 2011 ( felt cheap and like they cut LOTS of corners to get the price down). This is my second jetta, so I know the german cars require maintenance to be able to last ( like all good things) but I dont mind it for the driving experience. Great Job VW!

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  Highs and Lows - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By berne1 - May 15 - 3:30 am

  Got our S model 10 months ago for the great lease payment. Some nitpicks are our fault (for getting the base model), while others are VW/Chryslers. The 3.8L is fine for the driving my wife does, which is basically back & forth to kids school. MPG doesnt really matter when you put as few miles on as we do! Best handling/riding minivan Ive driven! Way roomier & more useful than the SUV we turned in. Quality issues include sliders that dont open in temps below 30 degrees, a tire pressure monitor that is constantly on, and some rattles. Over time Ive noticed much more suspension noise.

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  Golf Highline Wagon TDI Standard Transmission - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By tomsimmonds - May 14 - 8:42 pm

  Fantastic car. Tons of power especially bottom end out of the hole grunt. Very quiet, no smoke, no smell. Highway cruising not affected by crosswinds. No wind noise. A small amount of road noise which I suspect is caused by the Bridgestone tires but who knows. I purchased four snows on rims so we shall see if road noise is any different. HVAC very efficient and fast to warm up and cool down. If you are over six feet and tall in the torso you wont fit in this car very well. Once you get in its alright but good luck getting in and out.

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  VW Jetta TDI - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ken - May 14 - 11:46 am

  I purchased a new Jetta TDI 6 speed manual car a few weeks ago. First tank of diesel averaged a little over 45 mpg. This car looks, drives and rides like a car costing a great deal more. Standard equipment on this car would be options on others. I can only say this is a great well priced 4 door car.

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  Buy one and you see what I mean. - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By G. Wilson - May 14 - 8:20 am

  I have seen and read numerous reviews on the CC. I perchance a 2009 CC Lux., and I have 15K on it so far with no problems. The turbo 4 is all the power needed to motivate this sedan, and the 31 mpg on the freeway is spot on. I would recommend this car to anyone who wish not to see him or herself coming and going ever time you take a drive. This has been one of my best perchance as for as a near Lux. car.

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  I Looove German Engineering - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By MachSchnell - May 14 - 7:20 am

  After owning a 2003 MINI Cooper S, I can honestly say that there is no comparison between my new GTI and my "old" MINI. The Super charger in MINI definitely had some lag in it but not so with the Turbo in the GTI. The interior quality of the VW is in a far superior class. If the track is where you plan on spending a majority of your time than the MINI is probably the car you want... but for real world driving the GTI is the better choice. The passenger seating is another area where the GTI outclasses the MINI. The GTI is cavernous in seating and hauling accomodations by comparison. If you love shifting gears and the sound of a highly tuned engine winding up its Turbo than look no farther.