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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  HOT VEHICLE - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By WESLEY - March 29 - 10:00 am

  IVE OWNED MANY SUVS IN MY LIFE. THE TOUAREG BY FAR IS MY FAVORITE VEHICLE. DEFINITLY WOULD RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANY SUV SHOPPER.

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  Driver Found!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LvMyConvBug - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Vw Conv Bug for a couple of months now and so glad that I bought one. Everything about it is fun down to the cute vase. The colors are also what makes the car fun. I think everyone needs a bug.

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  Solid Car - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Poncho P - March 27 - 7:16 pm

  So its been a month since I got my Tiguan SE 4Motion in Blue exterior and Charcoal interior. I just cant get over the joy of driving it. For its size it can handle the road so secure. Inside there is a lot of room (and Im a tall guy). My legs and head are very comfortable. All the instrumentation is reachable and well placed for visualization. The construction of the car is very solid. Feels like one piece. Mileage is a blessing, but if you keep testing the turbo it can go down.

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  It is that good - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By Pfarfegnuggen - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Waited all year... Read every review (especially here)/ Compared the CPO Audis/Beemers. Vowed not to spend the $ on the Autobahn pkg or Bi-xenons...HA. Finally took delivery yesterday of a brand new 2010 United Grey w/ every option but NAV (incl Autobahn Pkg and those Bi-xenons)for under $28K. Dealer was professional. GET YOURS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!! Price only increases for 2011... Wife and kids love it. So do I. Thanks for the info All!

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  Exelent Van - 2010 Volkswagen Routan
  By Enrriquillo - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Driving to NY from South Carolina tree times, 12 hours trip, very confortable and nice to drive. Not very noisy inside. Gas in average, I would like one with engine TDI. Sound system ok. Captain seats very comfortable for long trips.

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  This Car is Great - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By amber Starner - March 26 - 11:10 pm

  I have had this car for three months and I am so impressed with what it can do. I could not be more pleased with it.

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  Excellent vehicle in all respects - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cjk - March 26 - 8:40 am

  This vehicle is the perfect combination of fun & frugal. The build quality exceeds expectations for a vehicle of this price. The turbo diesel has adequate acceleration but not exciting. Still very fun to drive (I have the manual trans) and the turbo will punch you into the seat at around 2K RPM. The impressive mileage (35-40 in mixed driving) is just considering that its actually a sporty, good-looking, fun to drive vehicle. Seats are very comfortable. Noticeably more firm. Go with the 17" wheels for a better driving experience. Great storage in the rear. More than many small-ish SUVs.

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  Huge Bang for your Buck - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brian - March 26 - 2:20 am

  The standard features on the new Jetta seem endless. I was on a budget, so I bought the base model, and I am still discovering new features. Volkswagen designs their cars specifically for the driver. Volkswagen is to the automobile industry what Apple is to the computer industry. Its not a machine to get from one point to another, it is an experience to make the journey as exciting as the destination.

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  The Eos is GREAT - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Yama - March 25 - 9:30 am

  Ive had my Eos for a week, and it compares as good as the Porsche or Lexus vehicles for quality that Ive owned previously. The ride is fantastic, and the amenities are superb. The hardtop convertible feature leaves me feeling safer than when I owned a ragtop Celica. I am totally in love with this vehicle! Im glad I bought the 3.2 with the technology and sport package!

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  Eine Kleine GTI!!! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Pasnbyu - March 24 - 9:53 am

  I needed to upsize my daily driver from a 03 MINI Cooper to something fun with 4 dr (2 preschoolers) & the 4 dr GTI was at the top of my list because of the DSG transmission (this is the tranny wave of the future!). Even after 3 months, I am still stunned by the overall refinement level - handling/stability at speed, acceleration, braking, seats, & lights are all fabulous. There is absolutely no torque steer (I hate torque steer & would notice even a hint of it). When I have my 1st service, Ill ask about the radio display (I think its computer needs to be reflashed since speed sensative volume & name scrolling dont seem to work), but thats the only "quality" issue. The GTI is back!!!