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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  Fun to Drive, not your Grandmas Corolla - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By dean-l - December 5 - 1:16 am

  I wanted a small sedan. One test drive of Civic and Corolla and they were out. Those sheep need to look around a little. Mazda3 is a good car and better value, but this one just "felt" like it was built better. I picked the Rabbit over the Jetta because of the chrome on the front and the fake leather seats, I just couldnt do it. The real stuff is better, why bother? Also Rabbits are unusual around here. Ive enjoyed the car so far. It really IS fun to drive. Plenty of power. NO exterior "loud & obnoxious" things about it. A real knock out in red. I cant believe this car is not more popular.

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  Ms Review - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By M - December 4 - 11:20 pm

  This car could have been great. Its engine is fantastic. However, I have had many random parts failures (catalytic converter after 50K miles, complete power steering replacement at only 70K) resulting in thousands of dollars of repair. Overall, could have been better quality for the premium price paid.

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  Love it - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Corey Miller - December 4 - 4:32 pm

  Maintainance costs are high but worth it with the fuel mileage

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  So Far So Good - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Big D - December 4 - 8:56 am

  I have wanted a diesel for years. Finally ordered a no options car from local dealer. Order time was about 3 months. Had to break in on a long trip of 1600 miles but seems to have turned out OK. So far no problems. Only annoyance is squeaky brakes in the morning when I first start it up. Mileage has been exactly as advertised, at least according to the onboard mileage indicator. I like the manual transmission but it does give a little chatter into second gear until it gets warmed up, after that it shifts very smoothly. Side mirrors are smaller than I am used to but vision is otherwise pretty good. Fueling is somewhat messier than gas. Engine is very torquey!

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  Get one. - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dtshanka - December 4 - 6:49 am

  My first foreign car and now Im a VW fan. Dont listen to others just test drive one for yourself.

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  Insane - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sacalait - December 3 - 11:36 pm

  I would have never imagined so much from a diesel. At 3,000 rpm’s I was doing 90 mph getting 42 mpg with plenty of pedal left! That’s just insane. This car is great for anyone commuting daily more than 25 miles, its fun, safe, and economical.

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  Very satisfied - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By steve41 - December 3 - 11:13 am

  Traded a troublesome 09 BMW X5 diesel. Could not be happier. The new body looks like a Cayenne, (had a Cayenne prior to the X5), and the interior is very nice. Handling is great; mileage will hopefully improve from 26,27. I hope to get 29, as I did with the X5. Touch screen with phone interface, nav with traffic,sirius xm is very nice and easy to use. Good sound system. Feels solid and hopefully will be a good ride for a long time. 2700 miles to date.

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  Still lovin it. - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By JStew - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new in 2000. Have had only a few minor problems. Yes, the oil issue is a pain but it improved over time. Ive had the hatch latch repaired under warranty and the cruise control module was replaced, but otherwise no problems. Great gas mileage, still fun to drive. Hatch holds a lot of stuff. A great basic car.

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  1998 VW Jetta GT - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By C. Caputo - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car to drive, fun, sun roof, all my friends have followed in suit and bought a VW.

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  Impressed with VW now.... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By knightflyr - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I never thought of owning a VW till I bought this one..One word WOW!! The German craftmenship is outstanding. Just drive one and make your own decisions.