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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  Would not lease again - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Alan Pedersen - January 15 - 3:33 pm

  Overall the car was comfortable with a few exceptions. The brakes when applied normally seemed to grab too hard at slow speeds. The front passenger seat was too low and not adjustable for height. The windows would fog up when it rained. The A/C would come on as a remedy (poor design). Offered no help when we asked to turn in lease early. Went to Hyundai dealer and they took care of the remaining payments and mileage overage, rolled them into the new Hyundai Tucson lease at a reasonable rate. I received a Turn In Settlement Invoice with a charge for One (1) tire that was apparently below tread spec. Seems odd. And if the other 3 tires were in spec it would seem to me to be a good customer service decision to drop the charge. I called and VW was completely rigid regarding this. Ill never set foot in another VW dealership as a result of the poor customer service.

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  Tons O Fun - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By V-DUB - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up a Reflex Silver/Black Cloth Interior, 17" wheels, Luxury Package, Cold Weather Package--The Lux Package & Cold Weather Package were a bonus as they could not locate a GTI with black cloth and 17" wheels. Wow! What a Car. Handles like a dream. Great on gas. Super cool European Styling. A real value. Fun to drive, distinctive looking. And my transaction with Attatamian VW/ Honda was the best by far on any new car purchase. I have had 5 new car purchases in the last 10 years. Ask for Joe Abernathy--Great guy. Hell get you what you want, at a reasonable price.

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  nice car - with a few flaws - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Riko - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 12000 miles, bought it with 30000 on the engine. I bought this car with 30000 miles on it and have put 12000 on it. My last oil change was 6000 miles ago and still hasnt burned oil. Still full on the dipstick. (I never torque the engine until its nice and warm, I dont know if that helps but it doesnt hurt.) Plenty of zing on the highway. Front window regulator quit so dealer replaced both front ones for good measure at no charge for either. Only complaints are electrical - Lower dash lights for heater controls quit working, and AM radio reception spotty.

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  Best Car Ever - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Larry Golin - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car ever bilt bar none

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  DO NOT BUY ANY VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Another Unhappy - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. Performance problems, it drives very rough, a host of rattles, driver seat that makes a popping noise, stearing wheel sqweeks. To make matters worse, the vehical has been in the shop six times in less than a year of ownership. The customer service by two VW dealers and VW of America corporate has been very poor. The cars value has depreciated over $10,000 in less than a year. The list goes on...

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  I love my Jetta!!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Shaah - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. I have been pleased with every purchase made through VW. I will always love my car!

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  get out the raid - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By raid - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the car for you....if you dont mind interior pieces coming of in your hands. Im on a first name basis with the service manager at my dealership.... Center console has been replaced 3 times.Back seat electrical outlet has been replaced 5 times. Hood latch.....4 times. CD changer 2 times. Air bag sensor failed....took 4 months to get the part from Germany.

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  Engineers point of View - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Enigneers Bug - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to hand it over to a college student after the first year. I thought it would be fun but not for a middle aged professional engineer. I am delighted to announce the performance and overall product is outstanding.

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  I love my bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Clarinetkellbell - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned my own car. It has always been someone elses. Volkswagen has made me a VW driver for life. Car is comfy and so fun to drive. More room in the front than expected. I love it!!!

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  Passats are the Lemons of VW - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By The Madman - January 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive purchased my 2002 Passat in Nov. 2001. I loved the car "So i thought". the first week i had the car, one of the Headlights went out, 2 weeks later the fog lights went too, and more surprizes every month until last week when the ENG, EPC, and ASR light would all come on at the same time and the car would spuders,chokes, and stalls in the middle of traffic and had to restart it. The car has been at the Dealer ships garage for four and still have no answer on whats causing the problem and how to go about repairing it. - suggestion to everyone -- Stay away if you can and buy the real thing, Audi, BMW, or Mercedes if youre in the market for a German car.