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!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By todd doise - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Great vechicle to drive. Ive gotten at least a dozen compliments from people on the road. Powerful V8 and very responive on corners. Cant wait for the snow out here on the Front Range.

• 

  Love my Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By laxcheeks - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This SUVW is tremendous. I have had nothing but enjoyment since the day I brought it home. Rides like a sedan in comfort mode and like a sporst car in sport mode. If you dont take a hard look at the VW you are selling yourself short.

• 

  THE BEST SUV EVER BUILT!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jasontiani - February 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS PURE PEFECTION AT ITS BEST. VW DEFINATELY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THIS ONE. THERE IS NOT ANOTHER SUV OUT THERE THAT IS THIS FUN TO DRIVE AND CAPABLE OF GOING OFF ROAD AS THIS. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST SUV EVER BUILT!!!

• 

  Utility, Comfort, Performance & Value! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By vwdriverCA - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in our 2001 New Beetle GLS and went home with a 2003 Passat Wagon GLS (Auto)in Silverstone Grey (light grey interior). Beautiful lines, quality build, exceptional use of interior materials/great fit-and-finish (for this price point) and rides smoothly. The Passat wagon gives us the SUV utility we were looking for in a more car-like size, a smooth, quiet ride and better gas mileage. All for a relatively reasonable price. We are very pleased with the decision made to go with the Passat Wagon. We have also been very pleased with the high quality of customer service we have received from our local VW dealer.

• 

  TDI all the way - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Matthew L. - February 22 - 10:00 am

  My TDI is great because I drive 30,000 miles a year! It did have a transmission defect at 3,000 miles which promted VW to replaced the entire transmission. VW made the best of a bad situation but the dealership was horrible, never goto Congressional! The best thing about the TDI diesel is I use a type of diesel fuel called Bio- Diesel. Its diesel fuel made from vegetable oil, the kind I use is soy based. Its not very well know that this exists because of limited availability but I can switch back to dyno-diesel (regular diesel) if Bio- Diesel is not available. The TDI will run on Bio-Disel with no modifications to the car.

• 

  I love this car! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ron Bruce - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I just sold my Audi 4000S which I had for 19 years. I was nervous about getting this New Beetle, but I took the plunge. Three months and 5,300 miles later, I am so delighted with it. Even though it has plenty of power, people do not expect it to be a hill climber or a speeder, and so I think it is cut some slack surveillance-wise.

• 

  Awesome and Sexy Automobile - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By newvwfan - February 22 - 3:23 am

  I decided to upgrade my 96 Camry to the 2012 Passat, this turned out to be one of the best decision that Ive ever made. This car is fun to drive compare to my Camry. I beg to differ when other reviewers stated the the design is boring, I got the night blue metallic and its nothing from boring. It is slick and sexy. The performance of this car has blew me away in terms of power and acceleration. It handles and rides nicely. The interior looks simple and classy, in addition a TONS of space in the front and back of the car. As a first time VW buyer, Im pretty confident that I will stick with VW for life! So, if you are considering purchasing this car, you wont be disappointed!

• 

  Water Leakage - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Stephen (Dallas, TX) - February 21 - 5:46 pm

  This is a wonderful car! VW has done a great job. Sleek,total head turner. I love that it has no model on the outside.One major flaw is water holding in the doors.Especially the rear doors. I noticed it immediately. After being washed or rain it holds in the doors. It will soak your shoes. Waited to have it address at the first free maintenance (10K). My area experienced a lot of rain a few days before taking it. I happened to notice the water is now inside the car. Back right floor board is soaked. I let the service man experience the woosh of water in the svc bay. They found water in the front as well. Now 3 days in the shop. They are clueless at this point. Send me suggestions!

• 

  After owning the Touareg for over a year - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lhoward - February 20 - 10:20 pm

  This was my favorite of all time vehicle to own...for about a month. Before purchasing be well informed and do much investigating. Visit both nhtsa.dot.gov and peruse the complaints. I would also suggest the Forums on this site: visit the VW Touareg: Problems & Solutions forum for more insight before investing in this vehicle. This model has some very serious problems some of which involve safety that are not being acknowledged.

• 

  This is the car that saved my fanily... - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Amine - February 20 - 1:10 pm

  Beside the looks and the performance, this car is one of the safest vehicles in the roads. I love the way it drive, the way it looks inside and out. But what I love the most is the safety that provides to me and my family. I originally bought 1.8T GLS on January 2005, but an eighteen wheeler crashed it against the concrete divider in the highway. Being hit by a truck Driven at 60 miles an hour, the damage was extensive, and the vehicle was totaled. However, my family and I walked out with virtually no injuries (my wife got a bruise when her legs hit the dashboard). I was impressed how well it was built, so I went and bought the TDI the next day. Youll never regret buying a Passat. I love it.