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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  Luxury in a hatchback - not a contradict - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chasqui - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I am still impressed by the way my GTI can move. The V6 engine really shines. Lots of power to spare if I want to punch it. Great fit and finish - everything is "bolted down" pretty tight. Especially nice knowing I can turn a corner or stop on a dime without something rattling loose. A lot of car in a great little package.

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  Great Car!!!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By JO - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Golf. Its been great. Ive had no problems at all. Crazy about the potions I got for the money, especially the Monsoon sound system!!!

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  vw ok but too little - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By marenG - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I have to say I have not experienced such terrible luck. We bought the car at 20,000 miles and the O2 sensor problem was already fixed. We have had the drivers window drop into the door and had to replace the motor- a problem I hear others describing. The dash cupholder is junk- broken by 35,000 miles. Otherwise our Jetta has been mechanically fine. We are about to sell it to its 3rd owner but only because baby #2 is coming in december and the backseat is too TINY for 2 car seats! In fact few of our friends are able to sit back there b/c its so small. We find that the passenger has to sit with knees right against the airbag- and we are not that tall!

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  From a C-class to a Passat and glad.. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Vespula - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This car has proven to be a class act. Fun to drive, comfortable and looks great. I think the thing I love most about this car is the feeling of being safe when im driving it. If you are looking for a sedan for under 30k that feels like a 40k+ car this is the one!

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  Love at first sight - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lindsey - February 8 - 7:36 am

  Not only is this car beautiful from the outside it has a great interior. I live in a climate where it snows half of the year (basically) and I have never had a car that handles so well in the snow/ice. This car almost handles like a 4 wheel drive vehicle on the road at the worst of times. The Germans know how to make a great vehicle!

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  Great car - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By dpt2 - February 8 - 3:17 am

  I purchased a 2011 V6 4 motion 2 weeks ago after trading in my 2008 Audi TT coupe. I initially considered: BMW 328i sedan, 335i sedan, 335d sedan, Mercedes c300. Almost purchased the BMW 335, but was told by a service manager that reliability wasnt great and frankly the interior was poor considering the price. The Volkswagen is a great compromise between a sporty car and a great interior if thats what you are looking for. I chose the V-4 4 motion mostly because of the extra HP, AWD, and the alternate 6sp transmission compared to the 4cyl with DSG. My Audi had the same 200 HP/DSG, and i HATED that trans. It was great for MPG, but what a jerky ride and mechanical problems. I love the VW >Audi

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  Worst car I ever owned - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By upchuda - February 7 - 2:56 am

  If you value you wallet, dont purchase this car! I bought this "certified pre-owned car from Osborne Automotive on Colfax. Every piece of the car has had to be replaced including the coolant tank, transmission, gas tank etc. I am so upside in what I owe compared to the $7,437.23 that I have put in it in the last 3 years that I will be paying for the car long after its dead.

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  Best All-Around Car Ever - 2013 Volkswagen GTI
  By dickytom - February 6 - 8:07 pm

  Bought my base model manual GTI in April 2013 to use for work. I drive all over the state of Texas visiting clients for my job and I have never been disappointed with this car. Equally comfortable on the highway or in town. Fast, excellent and communicative handling and brakes, great mileage, and big enough to carry all my work stuff. I call on all types of automotive repair shops and parts suppliers and get a compliment on the car at least once a day no matter if they work on Chevys or Mercedes. I went with United Gray to make it less conspicuous and have only gotten one ticket in the first 17,000 miles. Love the car but am considering trading up to a Golf R when I hit 50K.

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  A Responsible Mode of Transport - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By W Benson - February 6 - 11:23 am

  This is a "poor mans Porsche." It is really fun to drive. It accelerates uphill like a scared rabbit (pardon the unintended reference to another VW model). Plus it is VERY economical on fuel.

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  High Mileage Vehicle - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rick - February 5 - 2:16 pm

  I purchased this car because I was laid off from my job and knew that I would have to commute much further to my next one. I have averaged 44.6 MPG on almost every tank so far. It is also a very comfortable car to drive. It accelerates well and brakes quick. The steering is very manuverable. I also feel safer in it than in my SUV because of all the airbags.