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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  15,000 mi Review - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By goldshw - September 13 - 8:53 am

  I was a little reluctant to purchase a German car due to previous reports. I can truly say that my TDI is one of the best cars I have ever owned. Getting 47 mpg highway/36 mpg city. Great ride, great interior features & comfort. I love the TORQUE & six speed DSG. I highly recommend this car to anyone. I liked my Jetta TDI so much, I am buying a Golf TDI for my wife. Now with my Duramax, Jetta TDI & new Golf TDI, I am a all Diesel.

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  I love my new VW! - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By Sarah - September 12 - 2:00 am

  My dads first car was a 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI that he still drives and it still runs great, so I knew exactly what I wanted when I was looking for my first car (GTI was my first choice, but a little pricey :/). First time manual driver, but the car is so forgiving and so fun once I figured it out. I test drove the Fit, Fiesta, Sonata, Focus, Nissan Versa, and Fusion. No other car in this price range even came close. You just cant beat the styling and drive of a German car. Has tons of room for the rear seats, drives solidly and quietly at 80+ on the highway, and also is really maneuverable in city traffic. Im getting about 33 mpg driving on highways about 70% of the time.

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  Best bang for the buck sporty sedan! - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By TampaCC - September 12 - 2:00 am

  The lease ran up on my 2007 Jetta and my dealership was able to get me into a 2011 VW CC Sport for only $10 more a month so I jumped on the deal. Ive always liked the looks of the CC. It looks a lot like a Mercedes but without the Mercedes price tag. Ive only had the car about two weeks but I am loving it so far! Besides being great looking inside and out, the car is a lot of fun to drive with the 200hp turbo engine and all the amenities inside. I test drove the Acura TSX before leasing the CC, and while the Acura was very nice it just wasnt as much fun to drive. I am very happy with my decision to lease a 2011 CC. It is a very nice upgrade over my 2007 Jetta.

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  I Love It! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tfs - September 11 - 6:23 pm

  This is the seventh VW I have owned in my life and it has been the best handling, and most fun to drive of the lot of them. The seat, 6 speed gear box and 18" tires make it a blast to drive in the tight twisty country roads here in Wisconsin. I did get a second set of tires for the long winter months here and it still handles the road fine.

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  Worst Car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lvazquez1watcx - September 11 - 4:55 pm

  I bought this car on June 2011. it had less than 90, 000 miles on it. few months after i bought it, the flap panels broke, headliner started falling apart and the inside began to deteriorate. when it hit 100,000 miles the transmission started acting up, the valve body ended up need replaced. the headlights and anything electrical really is always acting up. i got this car at the VW dealership and thought i was getting a good deal on it, but not even 2 years later and i have already put thousands of dollars into its repairs. I am a nursing student and this is probably the least reliable car you could own. Have filed a complaint with the BBB, but never received a response.

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  Worth a look and test drive - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vincent - September 11 - 4:38 pm

  I test drove a Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and the Jetta. At the end, I really preferred the Jetta. The overall package of the SEL 1.8T fit what I wanted. The size was perfect, the MPG was great and the car even has some get up and go in sport mode. The Jettas over all feel of fit/finish was great. The Jetta just felt more solid and well put together. I know the Jetta is assembled in Mexico. But they do one heck of a good job at putting them together!. Driving the car, it felt more connected to the road, yet isolated. I am going to call the Jetta a poor mans Mercedes or BMW. I know reliability is in question. I just liked the car so much and felt more satisfied with the car I was willing to take a leap. Take a test drive and you will see what I mean.

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  I regret buying my Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Christina - September 11 - 12:46 pm

  Upon initially purchasing my Jetta there were no problems. But by the winter, it started giving me problems and hasnt stopped since. The only major problem that I have encountered is that gear sticks. When I say stick I mean, will not shift into Reverse or Drive until it feels ready, which could be 5 or 65 minutes. Taken it to the dealership 7 times and they cant figure out what it but assume its the brake light switch. So they keep replacing that. I wouldnt recommend this vehicle to anyone unless you have a very good warranty.

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  Better Check your oil - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SAAB 4 Life - September 10 - 7:13 am

  I HAD a 2008 VW Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0 turbo DSG yada yada yada this engine burns oil. Just type in VW oil consumption on any search engine and read to your hearts content. Because I change oil at 5000, then checked oil at 9500 and it was down too the add mark. No leaks either, ever wonder why the exhaust tips are so sooty.

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  Buy Used! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Gootee2Shoes - September 9 - 7:56 am

  I bought this car used and I think that makes a huge difference. I have (hopefully) avoided the pitfalls that the new owners did and my car is intact and in beautiful shape, inside and out. I bought some tires and got an alignment and some wipers, but everything else is going smoothly. I love the way it drives, besides how tight the clutch is. Everyone thinks it is the cutest thing ever and it is the first car I am proud to drive. I loved my 97 Golf, but I love this car even more.

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  Best Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By slo - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I looked at many small wagons (needed the space for outdoor gear, kids stuff, and trips to the home center) but couldnt find another that compared in ride, performance, and looks. I would rather have a peppy 5-speed than a truck-like SUV and the Passat V-6 fits the bill.