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:

• 

  Wow, what a joy to drive - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By adstein - October 7 - 3:50 pm

  This car is an amazing blend of efficiency and performance. Fit and finish is fantastic. Handling is superb, like a go cart. The only drawback is that no upgrade options are available for the interior - no leather or color options just black cloth.

• 

  Passat - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Timmey - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun car with good pick-me-up. Nice family car.

• 

  GTI GLS - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By b9e4n4 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Originally satisfied, but had many electrical problems and now it needs a new clutch...Been in the shop several times, and I dont think that VW wants to take ownership of their problems. Ive owned 15 cars and this has been by far the worst in terms of reliability, but one of the best in terms of fit and finish...

• 

  Excellent Car for New Married Couple - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By five - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is Excellent! We drove to the coast twice, Tennesse mountains once, 14 hours to Texas twice, and St. Louis once. This has been our luxury car. I have parked side by side to a 323i BMW, and the Passat has better ergonomics, design, layout, and comfort. Everywhere I go people ask me about the car. They want to sit in the drivers seat and take off! This 1.8T 2001.5 Sedan has serious POWER! I raced my grandmas Lincoln sedan and beat the snot out of her in the quarter mile. I have had the car up to 126mph without any quivering. Handling on the road - superb! I get 28.6mpg combined (city&hwy). I would recommend anyone to get this Volkswagen!

• 

  jetta review - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By disappointed!!! - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is horrible. Windows rattle over rough surfaces and suspension makes chirping sounds. Car will not come out of park from a cold start. Additionally a spring off of passanger seat fell off in the first 5 months of ownership. Drivers side seat bladders make popping noises. Also you have to manually turn gear mechanism to make seats recline. I used to drive a Honda and Im trading this VW in for one again.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Doug - October 6 - 6:30 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI is lots of fun to drive, especially past all of the fueling stations. I have averaged 43.5 mpg since I purchased my car. My high hileage is 52.5 low mileage is 38.6. This car has a solid build and feels safe at any speed.

• 

  Great Choice! - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By mda - October 5 - 11:30 pm

  Lets face it-you can get from point A to point B in almost any vehicle. But if you are in the market for a small SUV and want to go in style, you cant go wrong with a Tiguan! Handling is very responsive, the ride very quiet and controlled, and visibility is great, including upward with the full length sun roof. The Tiguan is solidly built and the doors close with a satisfying "thunk". I have had my Tiguan for about 2 months (white gold with cashmere interior-very classy) and am getting 30 MPG (admittedly mostly highway).

• 

  Wagons are sexy - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By vwbliss - October 5 - 10:26 pm

  Ive had this Passat since January and the Mrs and I have put on almost 13,000 miles so far. weve driven it to Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Duluth, Davenport, Milwaukee. gas mileage on the highway lately at 70 mph is giving back about 32 mpg and up to 34.4. for the size of the car that it is, the turbo is plenty of power and fuel economy is much better than the Taurus that i had last and the same 200 hp. i cant really say anything about reliability issues because i havent had any. the only set back to the car is doing solely city driving i get about 16 mpg, but if you do combination youll likely see 26.5 mpg so still much better than 19 mpg with a Taurus that i had previous.

• 

  2 years and 30,000 miles - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fordecoboost - October 5 - 5:03 pm

  Quite possibly the best vehicle I have owned and this covers GM, Chrysler, Ford, Austin Healy 3000, Volvo. Volkswagen Group(Porsche & Audi). (Ford F 150ecoboost not included, The Beast). Fuel Mileage is as advertised...20-29mpg overall. 2(2 -5,800 mile rts from California to Ohio, via southern and northern routes[28.5mpg avg. Speed to 105mph]. Tire wear(Pirelli) is at the half way point, brake pads are at 9mm. Vehicle speed control maintains speed when ascending long grades(ie, New Mexico and Arizona)Not true when decending. Was given a rather late model Infinity SUV while waiting on delivery of Vdub. What a joke! Like a buckboard with confusing controls. 6 inch watery marsh, no problem.

• 

  When isnt my 2007 Passat in the shop!!! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By nm124 - October 4 - 7:15 pm

  After having it for not even a year. The Ambient Sensor was reading -5 degrees in 100 degree temp. When my sensor was reading wrong my AC would not blow out cool air. Car was in shop for about a month. 2 months later its back in the shop for the smae issue. This time they replaced the Instrument Cluster. So far its ok, BUT now my GasCap light goes on every morning and when I go to start my car it struggles to start. The moonroof doesnt close all the way sometimes. The car shakes now when its in park... The list goes on! I dont put the cheap gas either I put Chevron gas Premium. This is the MOST inconvenient car i have ever bought! I cant wait until I can pay it off to buy a Infiniti!!!