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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  The best sedan out their. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ShelbyGT350GT500 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I would have to say that if you are looking for a sedan with great Fuel Economy and good power i would say get a vokswagen jetta/golf with the TDI in it.

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  Speedy Fun - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By wrecks - December 2 - 1:33 am

  This car is super fun to drive. It has the pick up and handling that I want in a sporty little car, but also has the comfort and practicality of being able to go on long road trips. I looked at Mini Coopers and was all set to buy one until I drove this car. It blows the Mini away in interior comfort and space, yet is comparable in performance. Also, the inside quality of the GTI is way better than the Minis which comes off as cheap, plasticy and CRAMMPED. You can actually fit people in the back, pick up groceries, and haul around two 100+ pound dogs in the back, yet always feel like you have the speed, response, and fun of a sports car. Its gas mileage is good too! Buy it...you wont be let down.

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  LOVE my new Jetta SportWagen TDI! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaMom - November 29 - 6:50 pm

  Never had a VW before, but wanted to replace our nice 05 MT Subaru Legacy wagon with an AT car that got better mpg but was as nicely appointed and fun to drive. After I test drove the 2010 Prius, my husband suggested we just stop by the nearby VW dealer to check out their TDI models. I knew almost nothing about clean diesel technology and what good mpg these cars get. When I first hopped into the Jetta SportWagen TDI, I was IMMEDIATELY sold!! Car is beautifully designed and appointed, solid, and has a fun and sporty feel. MPG is fabulous, and I understand it just improves over time, so I expect to average over 40 mpg in mixed driving. Im happy when I drive it, and thats the bottom line!

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  Killer Rabbit - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Sam - November 29 - 6:36 pm

  I have 58,000 miles on my 07 Rabbit and I have not had to make a single repair. For its size, the car rides well. Engine noise is noticeable and often enjoyable. I find the 6 speed automatic quite smooth. No problems with brakes, bass flare, weird electronics or any of the stuff I read here. I have a 48 inch rack and put 4 kayaks on it! What a car!

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  VW puts the "SPORT" back into SUV - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By VW Fan Boston - November 29 - 2:00 am

  We traded our beloved 2005 Jetta 2.5 for our Tiguan. I loved driving our Jetta, but I have to say the Tiguan is more fun to drive. You can get into trouble with the police zipping around with this SPORT utility. Fit and finish is great. Im a big fan of VWs electric steering, very smooth. I like the nylon seats they warm up quick, very comfortable. Visibility is good. I enjoy the sunroof, cant wait for summer. AWD has been been great this winter.

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  Musician VW Rabbit Choice! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By MikeAcoustic - November 27 - 6:23 pm

  I overall love this vehicle. I perform as a one man show acoustic music all over within 150 mile radius and use this vehicle to get me and all my equipment safely there. I love taking this vehicle on road trips; it is reliable and easy to park anywhere and fully functional in maneuvering. I have taken several photos that hold the equipment in totality, amazing!

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  LoveMyJetta! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LoveMyJetta! - November 27 - 12:46 pm

  I purchased my car used a year ago with 22,000 miles on it. I was reluctant about buying a used vehicle, but needed something inexpensive and good on gas for my long commute to work. My jetta now has over 57,000 miles on it and has NOT let me down! The car is roomier than the generation of Jettas before this model. The trunk space is HUGE and with the folding rear seats, you can pack a lot of items without a problem. The car takes synthetic oil, which can be costly compared to an oil change using regular oil. However synthetic oil is better for your car anyway and is typical for European engineered vehicles. Overall a great vehicle.

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  Yeah! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By sunni01134 - November 27 - 1:56 am

  I traded in a 2000 Golf for my new Rabbit, and although I technically "downsized" since I went from a "fully-loaded" Golf GLS to a "base-model" Rabbit, I do not feel like I am missing anything (except the sunroof, but oh well). The standard features on the Rabbit are great. I got the added ESP system and the 16" alloy wheels, but the features built in are awesome. The dash is redesigned and great, the passenger room is much more spacious, although the truck lost some space, but thats cool. The brushed chrome also looks awesome on black. Thanks to VW for bringing back the black on black interior. I was scared that I would end up with that stupid back on beige. Go buy yourself one :)

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  Had Previous VWs and GTIs, Best of All! - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By rickerbr - November 26 - 4:06 pm

  We traded my wifes 1.8T 5-speed New Beetle Convertible 5 speed on a DSG package 2 GTI. I love this car and it does everything I want in a commuter and performance car. Its far more exclusive than the competition (coughcough) as Ive only seen 2 other ones in DFW in the two months that Ive had mine.

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  best car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By roy - November 26 - 10:33 am

  WE had a 2002 Acura TL back in 02 and just got this 01 passat in 2010. and it has more options and features then most 2010 luxury vehicles been driving the crap out of it, hard driving, long distance everything not one light has came on (check engine) or anything. its the glx v6 with automatic a/c and have no complaints me and my wife love this car and woudnt trade it for anythimg else, only complaint gas mileage (around city) and cup holders, but eveything else works great even with 145,000 miles you would never guess it had that many it drives like its brand new. anyway all I can say is we love and plan on keeping it tell it dies