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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  Passat Silver Wagon 4 motion - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By monyw - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I ever bought! period! the 4 motion is like glue in the snow & rain. every option you can think of is included. the ride and power are unmatched for this class. This is a true sports Wagon in every way.

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  My Orange Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Doug in a VW Bug - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have a Snap Orange Beetle. All I get is people staring at me. No major problems. Rear hatch lock would not unlatch and a non-heating passenger mirror. Cant complain though. Dealer fixxed me right up.

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  2 for 1 - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bucksrule - September 26 - 2:00 pm

  I have been driving GM products for the past 15 years and I was dragging my feet when my wife took me to Betten Imports! My lease was up on my GM car and guess what? GM is out of that business. We drove the Jetta SE, and were delighted by all the standard features. We were especially delighted with the ESP and the way it handled in snow. Very important in Michigan. When we got to the lease payment, I quickly realized that for $50 more per month than I was paying for my GM car we could lease 2 Jettas. So we did! My wifes is a Salsa Red and mine is a Reflective Silver. We love the wonders of German engineering. The sound system is awesome! We love the mp3 connectivity. The heated seats rock!

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  Roomy Pocket Rocket - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By GreenMachine - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Almost flawless. A fun to drive, roomy pocket rocket. Amazing power whether climbing mountains, or cruzin has power to spare.

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  Experience!! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JHILTON - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Surprisingly the vehicle handles like a much bigger car. It hold the road very well at top traffic speed. It is a flashy, fun to drive big car in a little car body.

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  Mid-sized Luxury w/great economy - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Trisha - September 24 - 3:56 pm

  Cant say enough about my Jetta TDI, Ive owned 2 diesel beetles, but the new Jetta (2006) is a real champion and I still get about the same mpg that I did with the beetle (45-50 mpg) Not to mention pure comfort especially on long hauls. Great car, solidly built and the auto tiptronic tranny gets better mpg than manual shift. Only downside: running the ac cuts fuel economy approx 6 mpg.

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  2008 VW New Beetle COnvertible - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JonF - September 23 - 5:16 am

  This is a fun, stylish car that is a "blast from the past"! It has the classic Beetle lines with the luxury of a Mercedes. This car is fun to drive, inexpensive to operate - I have been getting 33 - 35 MPG - but the AC kills the mileage - down to about 24 MPG with the AC running). It has lots of "get up and go" with acceleration onto highways rapid and sure. Interior space is great - I am 61" and fit quite comfortably in the back seat. I had two Mazda MX-5s prior to this VW and the VW wins hands down - for value, for comfort, with comparable handling and VERY much better when the roads are slippery. This is a delightful car - My wife liked it so much, she bought one for herself!

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  Style AND Substance - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Darin - September 22 - 6:43 pm

  After considering a number of convertibles including the Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper, I decided to go with the VW New Beetle. The Mini was just too small and the Mustangs interior had a cheap look to it that really turned me off. I hadnt considered the VW until riding in one last fall. I thought that is was too much a chick car. Well, I was amazed with the amount of headroom and legroom it had. The interior also seemed very well assembled with high quality materials. I also was intrigued by the new, more powerful 2.5 engine. Although I had read about VW reliability, it seemed the best choice for a convertible priced at less than $30,000. Five months into owning it, I have not had any problems.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By mike e - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I also have an S500 and this blows it away. The nicest interior of any car I have ever owned.

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  jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CACYE - September 22 - 10:00 am

  this is by far the best car it is comfotable, stylish, great on gas, very reliable