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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  Still some imperfections! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By RTC - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I ditched by 00 Jetta to trade in for a 02 Passat, hoping the car would feel solid like the Camrys and Accords. The steering column still rattles over road bumps and when its cold outside. Its very annoying and embarrassing when I have buddies riding with me. Tried to get it fixed by bringing the car back to the dealer but was told nothing could be done! Shame on VW!

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Buggin Out - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My car did have some problems with the window motor, but the dealer fixed with no problems. Even provided a rental when it was kept overnight.

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  Great Family Sedan - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By bimmershawn - March 5 - 5:52 pm

  I put on about 1400 miles on a Passat S auto. The overall quality is gone down quite a bit from my 99 Passat GL V6 that I had before. The car is now manufactured in Tennessee instead of Germany. So far I have not encountered any problems. The car rides very comfortably except the bottom seat cushion is kind of hard. The fuel economy is very good and you also get a large gas tank. Power is adequate but not spectacular. I got a very good lease program (around >$4K below MSRP). Great value and a solid choice as a family car.

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  Very fun, but dang, lots of service - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW Fam - March 4 - 5:33 am

  This car is very fun to drive and very comfortable for the driver during road trips and other long hauls. The trunk is very spacious and I really enjoy the neat features like the grocery bag holder in the trunk... The acceleration is awesome and the handling at high speeds is great. BUT, there always seems to be a light on to fix something and VW service is not the cheapest.

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fadious - March 2 - 11:30 am

  I like the Touareg. It has been very reliable and has lots of luxury items that would have cost an extra $20,000 in a BMW or a MercedesBenz.

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  Fun but not reliable - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Swiss Miss - March 2 - 10:00 am

  My car is almost fours years old and I have had many problems with it. These problems can not be classified as normal wear and tear. For anyone interested in buying the car, I would stay away from any that were built in September and October. Remember, these cars are built in Germany and Octoberfest is around that time of year. I am definitely paying the price for the car having been put together by a bunch of drunk Germans!

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  I also love my car and hate the dealer - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Heidi - March 1 - 4:16 am

  This was the first car I purchased on my own. I did the research and I felt strong negotiating with the dealer. I have been loyal to the dealer, until I found another mechanic who offered a second opinion on a pricey repair. He taught me about how I was getting ripped off. The new mechanic educated me, showing me the parts and how they worked. He treated me like I actually had a brain. The dealer always presents problems - every time I went in for routine maintenance - as if it always was urgent and threatened my safety. I have stopped going to the dealer. Had I been treated as if I had a brain I might still be going there.

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  Somewhat disappointed - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MJM - February 26 - 9:43 pm

  Bought the car for my daughters. They hated it it. 1st VW Ive owned in 25 yrs. I expected more from the company. Just drove it 700 miles home and was surprised at how well it rode and drove at its age and mileage. *However* nothing else impressed me. The trunk is huge but that does not make up for the poor electrical design. Had to replace a taillight 4 times in 6 months. I know others who had the same problem I couldnt find a cupholder? Is that what that thing is called? The fuse box is in the most ridiculous place possible. You just cant get to it. Surprised that there is no gas cap cover interior lock. To me, the car is no big deal

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  Frustration, Frustration! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Stephany Morgan - February 25 - 6:46 pm

  I enjoyed driving this car for about the first 48000 miles. Then problems began to occur with an "oil sludge" problem. I am told this is a significant problem with the 2001 Passat. Most recently my Passat was at the dealership for about $1000.00 in parts and service and was driven only 7 miles before the same indicator light again appeared. I have already purchased another car due to the problems and unreliability of the Passat but at this point I am unable to even sell this one until this problem is taken care of.

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  Performance Car - Make Sure Youre Ready - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By V - February 25 - 5:30 am

  Coming from an 06 GTI, I am not sure if I should have moved to an R32. It has everything the enthusiasts want - incredible road grip, throaty exhaust, V6 power, and AWD. But, the zip (even with lag) of the GTIs 2.0T was great for me. The premium price for the exclusivity of owning one of 5,000 is a bitter pill to swallow, but the car does everything the manufacturer promises and more. Because of the power and AWD, the car literally sucks gas. I feel like I am driving an SUV when I have a compact car. Mileage has been about 19-20 in mixed driving. My GTI pulled at least 27 mpg.