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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  never again! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By never again! - March 28 - 10:00 am

  while fun to drive, the jetta has been very dissappointing when it comes to reliability--water pump...fuel pump...ignition switch...indicator switch... seat tracking (3X!)...drivers door window regulator (2X!)...main onboard computer went beserk and locked us out sporadically and spontaneously... had to wait 3 MONTHS for part to repair ignition switch. what would you think?...

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  Bug Time - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By KJ - March 27 - 1:06 am

  I have the 5-speed, and do enjoy the cars drive and handling. 150HP is plenty in car this size, and I have no complaints about acceleration (Go Bug, Go!). The ABS braking system and anti-skid functions seem to work well. I had several opportunities to drive it in the snow this year, and it seemed to handle that challenge quite well. Though it presents some restrictions, I do appreciate the Bugs styling, as it sets it apart from other cars its size,

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  VW heaven - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vw all the way - March 26 - 4:53 pm

  This car will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first. I love the interior but the cup holders are not good. I have had issues with window motors and transmission but I have recked it two times and its still getting me around with out issues at 130k. Overall this is a nice car and its design is very sporty.

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  Repeat VW Purchaser - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim Trias - March 26 - 9:00 am

  We recently upgraded our 1999 VW Passat V6, which we loved, with a 2006 VW Passat 2.0T, which we love even more. The Passat is a solid, high performance sedan that I look forward to driving every time I get in the car. The interior and trunk space are so much roomier than they look from the outside. It is a comfortable ride, and the car handles the road excellently at all speeds.

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  A Little Pricey, but Nice! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By California Kid - March 26 - 4:30 am

  The new Passat looks great and rides great. I get about 28 MPG on two hours of rush-hour traffic per day. The interior is roomy and all the material has the soft-touch feel, not the plasticy feel of other cheaper cars. Ill just make one critique: the automatic tranny. The upshifts feel like a manual. The downshifts on hard acceleration are slow and when it does downshift the car lurches as the gears engage. The Tiptronic mode is no better. The response time is slow. The engine continues to race after you flick the shifter. Youll need to flick the shifter 1/2 second sooner than you think you need to. But I guess Im biased. I drove a manual since my first car. But my wife... well, you know.

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  I Love VW - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mikeyju - March 25 - 10:56 pm

  I love how fast the car is and how comfy it is. The brakes are very good and smooth, and the engine is also very smooth. It is just such a fun car to drive and it has so much in it that you wouldnt even imagine.

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  Look at whats under the hood! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By sandiego11 - March 25 - 5:48 pm

  Ive read a lot of reviews before I purchased my vehicle. Noticed that there were lots of issues with the 2006 VW. drove a lot of different cars including a new fusion, and several Japanese cars. Ive never driven a 2.0T but typically large cars with an undersized engine and a turbo to help compensate dont do well (repair wise) Have owned my 3.6 for a year now (its a 5 year old 2006) and its running spectacular! Nothing but regular maintenance needed. You have to remember that this is nearly a 3k pound car. a 2.0T will not work long term with sporty driving, but if you choose a 3.6 its an excellent commuter and very fun on the weekends without much time in the shop.

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  Best BFTB car out there - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By johnR32 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned and M Roadster, and my wife owns a 225hp TT. This car is like mixing the best driving charateristics of the two and adding REAL seating for 4, all for under 30K.

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  Fast VW - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By tinmil - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Its not as fast as the STi or the EVO, but its also not a street racer like the STi or the EVO. One things for sure, this car will not knock the fillings out of your teeth. Just read the 3/22/04 Autoweeks article on the R32 because they are right on the money.

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  Cute but not worth it . . . - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaGirl ?? - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 1998 Jetta as my first brand new car. There are lights in my dash that NEVER worked, the key didnt work at first, I have a lot of rollback even though I drive an automative, I have had successive tire blowouts due to a now recalled part, the car was stuck in park for a week until it was finally fixed, the alarm tends to short out, I have had TWO electrical FIRES from "closing the door too many times" and have had other parts of my car fall apart from the day the warranty ended. Yes Jettas drive great and have lots of great features, but you will pay in the end for the lack of reliablity.