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:

• 

  Diesel-Like Fuel Economy - Sporty Ride & Steering - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Wes Lem - September 5 - 10:15 am

  Outstanding Class leading fuel economy with new 1.4 Turbo Engine and 6 speed automatic. Well equipped for under $20,000.00 price point. Quiet ride, torque galore, car loafs at 1600 RPM in 6th gear while hitting 65 MPH on a straight road. Averaging 37 MPG in mixed city and hwy driving, (running on Premium Gas). If you are looking for a real sleeper of a German engineered sports sedan, this car really fits the bill. It really stacks up amazingly well to an Audi A4 from a technical and design perspective but is priced way lower than the $40,000 ask price for a well equipped Audi A4. The Jetta exterior styling is pretty ho-hum and nothing really exciting or appealing about the generic lines and plain jane front and rear fascias, but the engine and transmission are buttery smooth and the fuel economy will really blow you away. Corning is razor sharp and you can feel the road when cornering and traversing country roads with all of the proper feedback that comes from sports sedans. VW really designed this car to be a stellar performer at a bargain basement price. It has so much more sports car DNA and solidity still lacking from similarly equipped Toyota, Nissan , Mazda and Subaru sports sedan models.

• 

  Diesel-Like Fuel Economy - Sporty Ride & Steering - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Wes Lem - September 5 - 10:15 am

  Outstanding Class leading fuel economy with new 1.4 Turbo Engine and 6 speed automatic. Well equipped for under $20,000.00 price point. Quiet ride, torque galore, car loafs at 1600 RPM in 6th gear while hitting 65 MPH on a straight road. Averaging 37 MPG in mixed city and hwy driving, (running on Premium Gas). If you are looking for a real sleeper of a German engineered sports sedan, this car really fits the bill. It really stacks up amazingly well to an Audi A4 from a technical and design perspective but is priced way lower than the $40,000 ask price for a well equipped Audi A4. The Jetta exterior styling is pretty ho-hum and nothing really exciting or appealing about the generic lines and plain jane front and rear fascias, but the engine and transmission are buttery smooth and the fuel economy will really blow you away. Corning is razor sharp and you can feel the road when cornering and traversing country roads with all of the proper feedback that comes from sports sedans. VW really designed this car to be a stellar performer at a bargain basement price. It has so much more sports car DNA and solidity still lacking from similarly equipped Toyota, Nissan , Mazda and Subaru sports sedan models.

• 

  A Near Perfect Compromise - 2013 Volkswagen GTI
  By basel1120 - September 5 - 1:16 am

  Time came to replace a much loved Mazda RX8 with a vehicle my wife could be induced to drive in place of our SUV. The RX8 was a delightful sports car but 17-19mpg around town and 20-22 mpg on the highway was no better than the SUV. And though "do-able" for two adults, an eight year old kid and big dog, it was hardly convenient. And for traffic a six speed manual could be torture (my wife says.) Considered a MINI and a TSX SportWagon but the MINI was too small (with 2 doors) and the TSX too long for the garage space. The GTI is perfect. Fun to drive. The DSG can match a very good MT. Solid, quiet, fast (and quick). For all but ski trips, it nearly equals the convenience of our Sorento.

• 

  Quiet, Quick, and Refined - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Patriek G. - September 3 - 10:00 pm

  I have put 6,000 miles on my Jetta and have had no problems. I get many compliments on it. It has great handling and performance, as expected. Its fuel usage is average. It has good head room. It is pleasing and comfortable on long trips. The price with packages 1 and 2 was $26,200.

• 

  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By vicky wilcox - September 3 - 9:50 am

  The only negative of this car is that the cup holder is located over the radio! This car exceeded every other expectation. Great gas mileage, very reliable. Peppier than expected for a diesel. Got 120,000 out of the first set of brakes.

• 

  Most fun Ive ever had - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By prettygood - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt looking to buy a Beetle when I was shopping for a car. But after buying one, I dont know if I can go back. The engine is amazing, the interior is very comfortable (the heated seats are a must, and the overall interior look is addictive. Strangers smile and wave at you just because of the car. Most people would not consider a bug because of the looks, but everyone I know has become a fan of my car.

• 

  Winter fun in Style - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By loyalist - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I love the style of the automobile. It looks great inside and out. I sell real estate and wanted a car that would present a respectable and professional image, and impress but not intimidate my clients. This car shines in winter driving. One time, early on, driving on freezing rain I did a bit of a four wheel drift, but within a few days I became one with this car. I did not use studded tires this past winter- it did not need them. The stock Michelins are awesome all season tires- the car seems to stop and corner as well or better than my 1996 Passat GLX did this past winter with studs. This is a great car for our family.

• 

  WOW! Best New Vehicle Ive Owned! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ron - August 31 - 1:53 am

  My VW Jetta is everything I expected it to be. The fit and finish are first rate. No rattles or odd noises. The ride is right on target for a vehicle this size and the handling is great. The HUGE trunk is a very big plus. My fuel economy has been much better than stated on the sticker. Traveling through New England in October of 2007, and traveling on major roads along with the various State Police crusers at 80 mph, I got 34.5 mpg. The fuel milage was calculated from the last fill up and the amount of fuel needed to fill up again. Ive owned Saabs etc., but for the money, you just cant go wrong with a VW Jetta. It feels like a very expensive car, but at a working mans price.

• 

  Hmmm - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Richard Wagoner - August 30 - 6:58 pm

  Great car for the money

• 

  I love my Passat! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By samster - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This car has been dependable, comforatble and a pleasure to drive. There is PLENTY of room for back seat passengers, and the amount of cargo space is amazing. I have had to make several long distance temporary moves for my job. I can fit all of my essential housewares/clothes/belongings in my sedan with no problem!