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:

• 

  Cant beat it for the price - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By bruynje - December 21 - 4:00 pm

  Buying the diesel was the best thing that i could do. I have a dodge ram with a Hemi with $ 800 per month fuel bills. now i spend about 200 USd per month. The car is for my wife but its really the only vehicle we use. m consistant fuel miles are averageing 32-33 MPG city and highway. at 85 mph i get about 32 mpg. If you keep it to 75-78 mpg you will get 38-39 mpg with the AC running. The engine noise is strong in the first 2000 miles but then it really smoothens out. Diesels are meant to be driven, so if you keep it in the garage, buy a gas engine. There is a big of a turbo lag below 1500 RPM but once you pass the lag the power is great.

• 

  My GTI - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By Nicole - December 21 - 3:56 pm

  This car is awesome! I had a 1999 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition and that was my baby until this. The 1.8T engine in my 05 GTI is very responsive. I plan on keeping this car until its in the ground. Hopefully thatll be a very long time.

• 

  Best Car I Have Owned - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rleyva - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This is best car I have ever owned. The suspension and handing are great. It is very quite and does not appear to be a fast car, but it is very fast.

• 

  Best of the Best - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sniper-x - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Get one! The TDI gets great fuel mileage (50+ highway) and is really fun to drive. Unlike diesel motors in the past this baby starts up everytime in our Wisconsin winter!

• 

  Best car for the money - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JCTapia - December 20 - 2:57 am

  I am just impressed, the car drive is amazing, the engine has enough power for that sportiness feeling and comfort ride that only luxury brands offer, brakes are strong and with firm feeling. NAV System-Bluetooth Audio-Reverse camera, leatherete seats (heated), apple car play -android auto, 6 speed automatic transmission and an impressive 35mpg combined for 18K certified 2016 model (12k miles), Im extremely happy with my car. 100% recommended.

• 

  Best car for the money - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JCTapia - December 20 - 2:57 am

  I am just impressed, the car drive is amazing, the engine has enough power for that sportiness feeling and comfort ride that only luxury brands offer, brakes are strong and with firm feeling. NAV System-Bluetooth Audio-Reverse camera, leatherete seats (heated), apple car play -android auto, 6 speed automatic transmission and an impressive 35mpg combined for 18K certified 2016 model (12k miles), Im extremely happy with my car. 100% recommended.

• 

  German Tank - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By sammy12000 - December 20 - 2:05 am

  I have about 2500 miles on my TDI. The mpg rating is pretty accurate on this suv. I live in L.A. and i was able to drive round trip to Vegas and still had over a 1/4 tank of gas left! And no i was not driving like a granny to save gas, this was under normal-to-semi-aggresive driving. The car has a VERY quiet interior. This car feels very planted and solid thank to the all wheel drive. You cannot tell this car is a diesel as it is very quiet although when you punch the gas the diesel makes an awesome aggresive note. The power steering is a little stiff but has an impressive turning radius. The steering wheel does have the typical vibration known to VWs.

• 

  Three items that are not state-of the art - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By vwaudi - December 19 - 5:57 pm

  The VW Tiguan drives and handles very well. The whole family loves it. I would surely buy it again.

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DaChief - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Great car- sophisticated drivetrain, top quality interior materials-i have the sport lux pkg w/17" wheels,and monsoon, loveem.

• 

  A nice Bug - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ally - December 18 - 9:50 pm

  The pros: Fun with top down, people love to look at it, reliable, zippy power, vinyl no dead cows to sit on, windsheild is not in your face, lots of head room. Some things that disapoint me: The stupidly short sun visor that doesnt even cover 1/4 of the window to block the sun from the side. I had to get one of those kids sun shades that suctions to the giant side window. The seats are not made for long rides or if you have any kind of back trouble. The pedals are high so if you are tall, its hard to get comfortable. I still have trouble adjusting to the seat, doesnt go back far enough. The back seat is for kids only, it has no comfort. I like the car overall but the comfort is poor. Not it is not for old people.