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:

• 

  Much better than my Hyundai - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kegger - October 20 - 5:03 am

  I had a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT 6 speed before I traded it in for my new Jetta. This car is such an amazing car for the money! Its comfortable, quiet, and handles great! This car is amazing on the highway. It definitely holds its own.

• 

  The not too bad, the good and the great! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ruzzeld - October 19 - 4:05 am

  This is/was our 2nd VW New Beetle TDI. Both 2003s. I can say that Ive been very happy overall with both cars. The only downside is the maintenance expense compared to Toyotas (zero unscheduled maintenance expense with every Toyota Ive owned). But kinda boring. BOTH Bugs: FUN to drive! More comfortable (Im 63"). Great road trip car, for my wife and I with plenty of room for luggage with the back seat folded down. GREAT mileage (never less than 43 with everyday driving and up to 55mpg on road trips). We used it as a 2nd car and whoever had to drive the furthest that day.. WANTED the bug. Fun and cheap!

• 

  Another warning light - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sharon - October 19 - 2:50 am

  I purchased my passat used last fall. I was really excited to get it. I got a lemon this time. It is in shop about once a month with a warning light on. Already had part of the dash replaced and about 3 software upgrades. Both headlight burned out at the same time. Just turned 50K so the warranty is gone. I am just waiting for the next problem. VW has let me down. I am going back to toyota as soon as I can.

• 

  Whoa - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By booger - October 18 - 12:06 pm

  Im a former VW owner, and I traded up my 2003 Passat for a 2006 because I had heard so many great things about them. The 06 Passat 2.0T accelerates very well, and it seats 4-5 passengers in comfort. The 6-disc changer, satellite radio, and night gauge illumination make the drive fun and enjoyable. Im most impressed with the suspension! This updated Passat feels stiffer than my 03, and it corners on rails. I love the 3 transmission options (N, S, and Tiptronic). Theres more usable room in the 06, and Ive found no problems in build quality. My 06 has the airbags that wrap around the passengers. There is no comparison to this car at this price!

• 

  Worth my money - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By luvmybug - October 18 - 11:13 am

  I purchased this vehicle as a Certified VW. This vehicle has been excellent, well worth my money and time. Jump in and drive. Love the Sunroof, the power and the fuel economy. This automatic produces nearly 28 MPG highway and 24 MPG City. Handles well and gets out it own way. Highly recommended.....

• 

  So far, so good - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By 07Passat - October 18 - 11:03 am

  This car has performed very well for me in the past year and a half. I average about 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg during mixed driving. There isnt another 4-cylinder in this price range that performs as well. VW recommends premium fuel, but I havent had any problems running regular, midgrade, or premium. Also, oil changes are expensive due to synthetic oil requirement. I hope the car remains reliable over the years, as some studies show that VWs can have reliability issues.

• 

  2005 Volkswagen Beetle - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By arlene - October 18 - 1:50 am

  I love this car. But here are the negatives in order of importance: Poor visability when backing up. Paint chips off easily inside and out. Problems with flaps and windows (recall).

• 

  German Beauty - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Genco - October 17 - 12:43 pm

  I have been driving this car for 2 years and i recommend it to anyone. I love its handling and cornering. Go 100mph and you wont even feel it !! Highway merging is no problem beacuse it has a great engine. The braking is good too.I had no major problems with it, just the regular oil change and afew trips to the vw dealership to change bulbs!

• 

  Not that Bad - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By VDUBBA00 - October 17 - 11:36 am

  Let me just say that I went into my 2000 Volkswagen Passat from my college car (a Saturn) so naturally I was floored when I stepped on the gas and it actually went! This car is a still a head turner and gets parked in the front with BMWs and Mercedes at valet. The Tiptonic transmission makes this car take off like a rocket. Beware of repairs on this car that arent under warranty though, they are COSTLY! Fortunatly I cant say Ive had any issues with it mechanically. I intend to make my next car another Passat. Its fun to drive and looks great! You will also command a little respect when you pull up at the valet at Benihana! I was surprised to come out and see my car parked in front!

• 

  should have bought the 1.8T - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By XB3 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  console controls are poor and hard to read. Suspension is soft, had to ugrade to make car live up to its hype. Road noise coming through.