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:

• 

  No wonder these are all over the place! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Deutschmobilers - September 22 - 10:00 am

  We traded in our 2001 Passat wagon for the 2004 Passat wagon. We shopped around & narrowed the field to this wagon & the Volvo 70 wagon. The Passat won out as it was $5000 less expensive, with all the bells and whistles included, felt roomier in the front driver & passenger area, had a nicer looking rear-end, and saved us money on auto insurance due to the on board On-Star.

• 

  Fun to Drive Car with low Gas Mileage!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By maruxue - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my TDI. We consistently get great gas mileage, plus the car has so much power its like a little sports car.

• 

  Amazing car!! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By evolution16 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is so awesome. Everything about it except perhaps the gas mileage is amazing. But thats to be expected with a 180 HP Turbo engine! Its so much fun to drive and is very comfortable. Trunk is huge! In fact, they could take away a little trunk space and add it to the rear seats, but other than that, the car is perfect!!!

• 

  Blue Tooth needs a Dentist - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By tinf7jp - September 22 - 6:39 am

  Have had the car for several weeks and like it as much as on day 1. MPG is 40+ and love the huge sunroof. Having had Audi and Mercedes vehicles, we have good perspective for what the vehicle should drive and handle like...and it does so nicely at the much lover price point.

• 

  R32 Senior - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By JoneR32 - September 20 - 6:36 pm

  Was researching for a sports sedan/coupe with AWD, stability control, full air bags & side curtains, and being reviewed as quite respectable in the performance, safety, and handling categories-- safety being first. I found a certified low mileage [6650] R32 in Naples, FL via Autotrader and negotiated a price over the phone-- $23900 + tax & title. Have since added 8000 miles, and they were all driven with a smile on my face. The R32 is a great daily "sports" driver, esp. in city traffic due to the excellent DSG tranny which is left in auto 100% of the time, per the tests that one cant shift as fast as this tranny in manual mode/paddle shifter or console. 21.5 MPG overall--26+ MPG hwy.

• 

  Jetta Rock(et) - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Van Egmont - September 19 - 11:00 pm

  Other than an issue with a sensor this car absolutely rocks. Driving it is so much fun. You can kick back in comfort and cruise or lean forward and rocket past most anything on the road. Ours is a 2005.5 which is the newer model. It came with everything on the newer models but with a lower price. You cant go wrong with a European import!!!!

• 

  My wife and I fight over who drives - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Craig - September 19 - 2:33 am

  Ive had several Acura sedans and a VW GTI but none of them compare to the Passat Wagon. I got it after the GTI was totaled and never expected it to have such spirited performance. I have to admit Ive driven it over 125 mph and it felt like a sports car. It was absolutely smooth and solid. Ive never been so impressed with a car. My wife loves it. Our other car is a late model Toyota Land Cruiser, which is nice, but for driving, nothing beats the Passat. Its roomy, smooth and fast. Its the only car Ive driven where I dont feel exhausted after 400 mile trips. It has had a few problems, thankfully all covered by waranty.

• 

  Awesome/Practical/Affordable car - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vaughan - September 18 - 8:20 pm

  Ive had my GTI for about 7 months now, and I still get excited every time I get behind the wheel. Its got the style, performance, reliability and practicality covered, and it doesnt break the bank to own one. Great car!

• 

  07 Rabbit - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Fossa - September 18 - 12:40 pm

  Very nice car loaded with features. I just wish the 2.5 engine had a better performance overall. It could be quicker and more fuel efficient. However the car is still a lot of fun to drive. Put some 18"s on it and it will be the best looking hatchback around.

• 

  Love my weekender its fun to drive - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By JB - September 18 - 6:04 am

  Wish they would bring it back to the states. Great for weekend getaways and a portable office while parking along the California coast on highway 1 near Big Sur. I bought a 2016 Mercedes Benz Metris cargo for the heavy work but, its not as nice. Ill never get rid of the European Weekender.