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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  Im in love! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By e_inx - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with this car. Its absolutely gorgious and Ill be hanging on to it for a long time. When I do consider selling Ill be right back in line for a new Jetta!

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  The best car ever - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By belarus - January 14 - 2:00 am

  In 2001 me and my wife got Jetta GLS sedan. My friend told me not to get a Mercedes. Well, I wanted to get Jetta and I did. My friends bought MB (e320), BMW (528) and Lexus (rx300). We agreed to collect every paperwork from dealer if there are any problem accures.After 1 year of driving we got our paperwork together and here what weve got: BMW - 7 visits MB - 8 visits Lexus - 5 visits VW - 3 visits That was enough to make my choice for second car. Just 1 month ago we dot VW Passat GLS...

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  Lovin It! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By clj - January 13 - 12:53 pm

  This little SUV is awesome! Love the handling, great pick-up! Stylish and unique - I havent seen another one on the road yet. Love it even more than my CRV - which I never thought possible. I got the base model (sunroofs get to hot in FL!), but my dealership upgraded me to leather seats. With the tinted windows and wood-trim kit, this ride is styling! People stop me all the time to ask about it!

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  Took Me 23 Years... - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By ndccpf1 - January 13 - 12:30 pm

  I looked at the Audi A3 (have an A4 also) but for the money VW gave you MUCH more and was more sporty. The GTIs engine is GREAT! And... it has CLOTH seats! Hurray! When will the USA market realize leather is NOT what everybody wants. I want other features in a car, but dont force me to take leather to get them! AND...hatchbacks are great!

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  Awesome Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By coolb944 - January 13 - 5:23 am

  I have to disagree with all the bad press this car has been getting. The car, for one, does not look Japanese in anyway. It looks very European, and very Germanic, especially in the Reflex Silver I have. Every time I look at it, I think, "Wow, it really does look like a $30,000 car, and drives like it for that matter." The engine is smooth and torquey, unlike the reports Ive read, with an I6 sound, and the clutch is light and easy to use, but still has enough feel to put it on the sporty side. The handling feels great to me, although I havent had the chance to really push it. It feels very tied down, though, with great solidity of structure and a very buttoned down highway ride.

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  No brainer - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By ticarre - January 13 - 4:40 am

  This car is a no-brainer if you have the few extra bucks needed to buy it. The comfort level is way above its class, and so is the handling. The engine is peppy enough, yet smooth and powerful. The in-dash computer helps a lot to regulate your driving habits if you want to save on gas.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Would buy another! - January 12 - 1:26 pm

  I bought this car in March of 2006 in Anchorage for touring around the state, and we love this car. In 4 years, we performed the recommended maintenance and put fuel in it, with no issues! Driving around 55-60 mph on the highways around Anchorage, we averaged 47-50 mpg. When we shipped it to Seattle and then drove it back to Texas, we average 48 mpg at 75 mph and then 46 mpg at 80-85 mph (on I-10 through West Texas). I made it from Gilbert, AZ to Fort Stockton, TX on a single tank of fuel driving 80 mph most of the way!

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  Best Car Ever! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Corona - January 10 - 4:40 pm

  Im 20, and I purchased this car as a present to myself before I go to college. Ive had a 2000 Ford Focus, 2002 Ford Explorer, 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, and a 2002 Ford Escape. This has to be the BEST so far. I would recommend this car to ANYONE.

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  Good car, bad service. - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Huss - January 9 - 8:33 pm

  I had niggling problems inititally which were handled extremely poorly by my local VW dealer, Neftin VW Thousand Oaks. Once fixed (eventually....) no more problems. They all happened within the first 200o miles, now I have put on another trouble-free 17000 miles.

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  Sluggish out of First and Second Gear - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ARP - January 9 - 10:00 am

  Looks great...I get a lot of very nice comments about the car. Well-made, great features. VERY SLUGGISH in first and second gear. Once you get into higher gears it takes off nicely. Great quality matierial...they did not go cheap on interior or exterior materials.