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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  VW GTI 1.8T - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Alan Rhode - March 15 - 10:00 am

  It is a great car. It is very fun to drive and right now is the most fun car to drive under 20,000. The cup holders are in a wierd place (in the way of the radio), but that is about the only negative thing I can mention about this car. The turbo kicks in at 30 RPM and realy kicks you back in your seat. A must buy in 5 speed.

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  337 is worth the wait - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By DiverDoc - March 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 337 and immediately had to drive it from Florida to California. The car to say the least was a blast to drive. The gas mileage was awesome and the performance was well suited to 130mph+ excursions in the desert. The funny thing about this car was the amount of people that ask me about it. I would often come out of the gas station to see people looking at my car....Its kind of flattering.

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  A Solid Vehicle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dsiddle - March 15 - 10:00 am

  I have found my New Beetle to be a solid performer. Pickup is adequate and the ride is very comfortable for a small car. Interior room is surprisingly spacious and the instruments/controls are well laid out. Power windows and mirrors have worked without difficulty. My only problem has been AM reception on the radio which the dealer says is in the radio itself.

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  I love my bug. - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By nancyg - March 15 - 10:00 am

  This turbo diesel does have some get up and go while getting awesome mileage. Its fun to drive & as small as the car is, I somehow feel safe inside it. I will buy another Bug. I just hope they keep making the TDI.

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  Love my used bug - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cy - March 11 - 9:40 pm

  Well this is my first VW I swore I would never buy or drive a bug, but I love my bug. I got real lucky I found her in the newspaper one owner a folder of her records oil was always changed on time, new timing belt, brakes, water pump new sensors all leather int stick turbo heated seats mirrors, only thing is high miles all highway 20,000, but with all the new parts and its in mint I jumped on it for $2,300 cash I replaced the cat did the work my self ordered one on line and the clutch, so I have like a new car, I love her shes good to me to, to everyone that had problems sorry maybe your car was made on a fri or mon, they say those are bad days so dont buy a car that was made on that day, thanx

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  Turbo S - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wkuhl - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Great fun to drive. Roomy in front seat. Turbo S interior styling is great.

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  2004 Passat 1.8T GLS - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By J. Ritter - March 9 - 11:20 pm

  For less than $23000 excellent built quality, great looking, superb interior materials. perfectly ballanced ride comfortable but with little body role, outstanding safety features (active restrain seat belts, side and head curtain airbags, esp), excellent performance considering the 1.8T economy engine giving highway milage of 32+ and suburban mileage of 26+. This is the best car I have owned so far. In my opinion the best value among wagons and family cars seating 5 currently available

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  A nice Ride - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Jerry - March 9 - 11:13 am

  This vehicle rides a lot better than the 61 bus we had in San Francisco. We feel we are back to our roots. We owned a couple of Caravans and I know this is mostly a Chrysler car but the addition of European technology gives it an added plus. Do miss the Stow--go however. We went into get a light bulb for my wifes Jetta and left with the 09 Routan. My son loves the second row seat heaters and the entertainment system. The seats are more comfortable than the Caravan and it rides quieter. Mileage is ok, good on a trip, not so good in town. We took one Caravan to 197,000 miles. Hope to do the same with the Routan.

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  Fun to drive GLX vr6 - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ssvk - March 9 - 10:00 am

  From the time i have owned this car, i have enjoyed driving it. It begs you to drive, push harder on the corners, it handles great. The engine is very peppy and responsive. All in all, its a very fun car, no major problems.

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  best car - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By meagan - March 9 - 10:00 am

  get it youl like it