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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  2 weeks in - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By lotsofpaper - October 10 - 5:44 pm

  Traded in my 2009 370z for this car, really like the interior quality, its amazingly great. Everything is solid no issues with anything. The power is of course severly less than my 370z but was becoming increasingly tired of all the teens racing me or trying to keep up. Anyway I wanted something that reflected me a lot better and this sedan does it. S mode with DSG is very good for a 2.0 engine! Very quiet, smooth, and a looker especially at night from the rear cars will slow down and stare at it. If you want something less common get this car its solid. Skip the sunroof its 3K more and it only tilts 1 inch (not worth it, for me). Love driving it!

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  Former Toyota owner - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Joey nash - October 10 - 3:50 pm

  I am reluctant to sing praises just yet. As a former Toyota owner, I expect a lot out of my vehicles in terms of reliability. I did not expect to buy a VW, but in keeping a promise to my daughter, I let her pick. We bought the car and afterward, I searched the internet for opinions (backwards, I know). After the initial panic, I have realized that most of the reviews on any car are negative, since people with no gripe tend not to bother at all. That said, if this car gives me no problems mechanically, it will be my all time favorite. I did not know anybody made a car that got 30 mpg+ and would go fast. Fun to drive and the design seems to be well thought out. Feels like a fighter plane.

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  GLX Vr6 - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RCA - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I have read many of the negative comments about the Jetta. It looks like the most of the problems are in the initial build quality. I am the second owner of this car and it has over 70k miles and for the price(used) you can not beat what you get. It is tight rides well and is an absolute blast to drive. I owned the 850 GLT before this car and the repairs on a european car and the cars like the Jetta are not cheap. Maybe if the negative drivers would buy a ford focus or something like that they would not be so shocked by some of the repair bills. After all you are buying a BMW type car check out the repair bill on those...

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  Volkswagens First Audi - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Braden - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I currently own an Audi A6 and need to buy a SUV that was over 6000lbs (GVW) for my business so I can take the Bush tax write-off. My Audi dealer tried to persuade me to go with the Porsche Cayenne, but I didnt like the interior. The Porches interior is awful, nothing like the Touareg which is nicer than my A6. I also looked at the BWW X5, but it was too small, and pricey once you load it up with the V8. I struggled with paying 48K for a VW, but this SUV is nearly perfect, its like driving an Audi (car). The build quality is impecible, the ride is much smoother than the Porsche and the cabin is very quiet. The safety features are great.

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  LOVE IT - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWLOVER2 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  AFTER TEST DRIVING ALL SIMILAR STYLES AND PRICE RANGES, THIS CAR WAS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOR THE MONEY, IT HAS ALL THE EXTRAS. THE COMFORT & THE RIDE ARE INCREDIBLE. I TELL EVERYONE I KNOW

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  Driving the Jeta TDI - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By david groth - October 7 - 1:30 pm

  My wife and I enjoy driving our new Jetta TDI. We have been achieving 33 mpg in city driving and 43 mpg on the highway as long as the auto is driven sensibly. The new diesel is much quieter than we expected, and there is almost no odor on start-up, even on 20 degree mornings! The seats are a bit larger than the older style Jetta, but are still firm and comfortable. Rear legroom has also improved. While I would not classify this auto as a true sports car, it does handle well. The fit and finish of the interior is excellent, and all controls are well placed. Overall, we are happy with our purchase. Its a lot of car for $23,000.

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  Good Value for the Price - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By KOP Man - October 7 - 7:56 am

  I was originally looking at the Jetta SE then I saw the CC Sport on the dealers floor and decided that it was a no brainer that the CC was the one to buy.After purchasing by CC I had the ECU upgraded by APR. Increased the Horsepower from 200 to 252 and the torgue was increased from 207ft pds to 297 ft. pds. Its now one quick cars. The perfomance is now truly awesome.I get compliments all the time people are always asking me what kind of car is it

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  WOW...I never wanted a VW - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By rjm310 - October 7 - 4:36 am

  I was looking to buy a Dodge. Went to the dealer who was a Dodge / VW dealership only to find they closed the Dodge dealer. While there I took a look at the Passat. Nice car until the dealer showed me the CC. I was sold before I had the car out of the driveway on my test drive. This is a solid car, lots of power, comfortable and one of the nicest cars on the road. I have been told it looks like a Mercedes, Volvo and Audi. People are amazed its a VW. This car is sweeeet and a blast to drive. How come I never knew about this car before? I am glad i looked in the VW dealership.

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  Most fun to drive car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By L. Phillips - October 5 - 10:50 pm

  This car has brought us more complimentary comments than any car we have ever owned before. It actually seems to smile at you when you are looking at it head on. The seats are very comfortable, wonderfully heated in the winter months, and are suitable for long drives with many hours of sitting. It is very easy to handle and takes to the highway like a pro. We are never nervous about driving it on the highway because it has a wonderfully fast pick up to it that is valuable if one should ever get into a "sticky" situation and makes us confident in our driving. We like the view from the windshield. I heartily recommend this beautiful little car for its reliability, fun and comfort.

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  New Owner - Retired Car Buff - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Frank Jay - October 5 - 8:00 pm

  I walked in to the dealership and asked for a Jetta TDI automatic with leather. One was found soon and we made a quick deal, but they held to the sticker. I dont like the $299 processing fee, but I paid it and drove home. I really like the TDI as I already have a 2005 CDI. Now all I want to drive is the TDI. It is getting about 12 mpg. more than the CDI. The Jettas handling and ride are excellent. Its torque is not as great as the CDI, but good for 100 HP.