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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  Frome Camry Hybrid to TDI - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By plknj - February 1 - 11:03 pm

  Wow... the difference in the drive and feel compared to the Camry Hybrid is incredible. I feel like I am driving a car again. It corners beautifully and gets better mileage then the Hybrid. My trunk space has doubled since I no longer have a battery in the back. Its roomy and very comfortable and was $10,000 less then the Camry. Everything is better... the controls on the steering wheel are positioned correctly and all the controls in the car are very intuitive... it does not take a genius to figure anything out. A solid car with great mileage at a solid price.

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  Best van of all - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By richie74 - February 1 - 11:33 am

  Weve had it only for a week but so far its been great. The interior its roomy and comfortable the kids love the rear dvd. We compared and test drive every single van in the market before going with VW and you get a lot more for your money compared with the others. This is our 5th VW and we have nothing to say but excellent thing about them

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  Affordable Sports Luxury - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By A VW to BMW owner - January 31 - 11:16 pm

  This is the nicest car Ive owned and I have owned plenty of American as well as foreign cars. Its nice to have every amenity possible including a cold weather package that included heated leather seat, heated mirrors, and head washer nozzles. The tilting & telescopic steering along with the fully adjustable seats make this car fit like a glove. The premium stereo is up there with high-end luxury models as well as the overall performance. The 200 h.p. VR6 runs perfect and with the paired smooth shifting 6-speed transmission, the drive is anything but dull. Congrats to making an affordable autobahn bred sports car obtainable by the working class.

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  TDi Rocks My Socks - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By THNDR-CK - January 31 - 10:56 am

  The cars not that pretty or that much fun to drive on a hot summer day compared to a BMW convertible, but it beats everything else as a daily driver/commuter. Ive gotten 750+ miles off of a single 12-gallon tank with a manual transmission (62.5 mpg). When driving in the city for the full tank, I still get over 50 mpg. Since the car is a diesel with gobs of torque, you dont have to downshift that often on hills, even when loaded with gear. There is lots of room in the car, enough for three friends, a dog, and camping gear.

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  good riddance! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By disgruntled_vw_owner - January 30 - 5:03 pm

  Finally got rid of my jetta last month. This car has caused me so much grief (and money) during the 4 yrs I owned it. VW replaced the mass airflow sensor after the car died on the highway while I was 8 months pregnant. A few months later the same thing happened so the sensor was replaced again. The car stalls after pulling from parking (cold start) everyday, and VW couldnt figure out how to fix it. The check engine light goes on all the time, after multiple trips back to VW they still couldnt fix it. The replacement parts cost so much too for something that was assembled in Mexico. The rubber material by the door peels and looks disgusting. Will never buy a VW vehicle again ever.

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  VW Secret - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J Stajk - January 30 - 3:33 pm

  The GLI is great vehicle I love the way this car handles, shifting is smooth, gas mi 30 mpg hwy. Hard to stay under 70. Best vw Ive ever owned.

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  What an Expensive Piece of Junk!!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By growlingbadger - January 30 - 11:40 am

  2004 Touareg with under 60K miles. I have never had a better maintained vehicle because its in the shop at least once a month! And expensive!!!!??? A key - $75, key with remote - $150. Headlamp replacement is an annual event. They dont last very long and require a mechanic to install and even Factory techs hate replacing them! Cost - $150. It also has issues that the dealers keep blowing off. This is just the cheap stuff! Its a good day when I can get it out of the shop for under $500. Im on a first name basis with the wrecker driver the dealer uses.

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  Enough Said! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By VR6 Power - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Plain and simple; a rocketship on wheels.

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  Permanent Grin - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By ubeR32 - January 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd VW VR6 and by far the best. VW got just about everything right on this car. The Haldex AWD and the engine combination provide a well rounded, every day driving, performance rocket. IÂ’ve driven in STi and Evos and felt like I needed to visit the chiropractor afterwards. The R32 provides a stiff but comfortable ride. The sound of the exhaust is something that is constantly turning heads of people expecting to see an Italian exotic. The car in Black or Silver will definitely fly under the radar and "blend in". But I digress; this car is a blast to drive and is equal, if not better in some respects, than other performance coups (M3, S4, 911)

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  Unreliable - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lulu - January 30 - 10:00 am

  -5/1999: Check Engine Light on. Unstable front driver seat. Covered under warranty. -12/2001: Not starting in the rain. Replaced coil pack. Water leaking inside from passenger side door. $600 not covered under warranty. Car still has problems in rain. -8/2003: Windows fell into the doors. Covered under recall. -10/2003: Airbag light on. According to dealer, passenger side airbag needs to be replaced. $500 not covered under warranty despite car never being in accident or air bag ever deploying. -8/2004: Gas tank blockage. Replaced under warranty. Several visits required because dealer "forgot" to fix.