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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  I love this car!! - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By Andrea - February 3 - 9:40 pm

  I love this car, its so fun to drive. It rides smoothly and corners tightly. I am getting great gas mileage with style and comfort. I cant say enough about how much I love my car!

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  Best In Class - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By alextechfan - February 3 - 6:25 am

  I have owned a 2004 Audi A4 and a 2006 Lexus IS250, and this is a mach for the Audi and blows the Lexus away. What can I say? This car is quiet, it rides great, it handles nicely, it looks much more expensive than it is, and the 2.0T engine is a very nice compromise between power and efficiency. The engine feels stronger than 200 hp because the power and torque are available at lower RPM. Furthermore, fit and finish are premium class. The leatherette may actually be an upgrade. My wife has a Tiguan with 16000 miles that shows no wear at all on the drivers seat. Factor in the lease deals and this car is a must drive.

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  Amazing Car for the Money - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By national2010 - February 3 - 5:06 am

  I traded in my 07 TSX for the 2010 GTI and have loved every minute with my new car. The styling is improved, the interior is beautiful, the car is quick and responsive. I have not had the car for long and this is my first GTI so I cant really comment on reliability, but it is so fun to drive. I was shopping between the GTI, a genesis coupe (3.8L), and a Mazada speed 3. The GTI was hands down the best overall car, especially for the price. The audio upgrade and the HID lights are a must. If you are in the market for this style of car, it is at least worth a test drive.

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  Whats not to love? - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By socalduck - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new in 2000, this car continues to please. Biggest regret was not getting the leather seats; with two young children, cleaning the upholstery has been a chore. A small rattle has developed in the RF passenger door, but otherwise the car is as solid as the day we brought it home.

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  From Audi to VW? - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By nhttman - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Once I drove this vehicle, all doubts of VWs commitment to style, luxury and power went away. The 310 HP V8 is a welcome difference from most "luxury SUV" V6 or high cost V8 option

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  iloveit - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By anotherjettadriver - February 2 - 2:00 am

  My second Jetta, this one a turbo, theyre great! You can park them anywhere and theyve got lots of fun gadgets.

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  Good Buy For The Price - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sergio51 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  About a year ago I was looking for my first car out of college and obviously didnt have terribly much money to my name. During my hunt for cars that could fit a sensible budget and still look good while performing well, it was clearly evident that the Jetta was the way to go. Coming from a lead- foot, the 1.8T was fun for about six months then I wanted the V6. Still a fantastic car though!

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  Jetta GLS 1.8T 5M - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By swamper - February 2 - 2:00 am

  The 1.8T loves to run and is worth every penny for the Sport, Leather and sound packages. Im still getting compliments from young and old about this little Platinum Grey beauty. The car is still on-spec after 20K+ miles and getting 27/31 MPG. The ride, 5M and brakes feel a bit tight at first however it all pays off when you just have to get out of way. The ESP is absolutely amazing and keeps the car stuck to the road rain or shine. Excellent overall handling. No other cars compare on price, features and performance.

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  Would Recommend - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Amy - February 1 - 10:43 am

  Ive had the New Jetta for about two weeks, and Ive been very impressed with it! It is much bigger than the previous model and has tons of luxury features that were not available before. Overall this is a great car and very fun to drive!

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  GREAT CAR - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By myownb - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Great Car! Ive had this for a year and enjoying the car and the drive .. will recommend.. go for it...