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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  best buy far - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By driver commuter guy - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I replace my commuter car every two years, and have difficulty finding the right blend of a drivers car, safety, good mileage and comfort, let alone a reasonable price. Ive always been torn between Japans reliability, the Germans handling, and the Swedes safety; no more! The 2002 1.8T matched with a slick manual is the finiest blend Ive ever owned. Nice work VW!

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  Almost perfect - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cabl - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It is an excellente automobile that may be unbeatable for the price.

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  Exceeds Expectations - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kalamazoo - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Pleasing performance, fine fit and finish, quietness, excellent sound system, features, features, features -- still finding new features.

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  vw beetle-theyre greeeeeeeeat - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By smea - August 26 - 2:00 am

  great car, it is a blast to drive and it is pretty to look at

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  Its a Yugo with an Audi powertrain - 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mollari 2261 - August 25 - 8:46 pm

  Im a 30-year VW-Audi fan that this time around needed to go cheap, but without leaving VW. I also wanted a TDI to match my mostly highway commute/driving. It was easy to get a deal on the Jetta, considering how much theyre piling up on the dealership lots; now I know why. This is the cheapest, dullest car Ive owned since my mid-90s GM ticket to a taxpayer bailout. Its a slick powertrain wrapped in bland styling, numb driving, slow-torture seating, missing creature comforts (we dont even get rear-passenger door lock switches), all riding on Flintstone wheels. Not to mention a real low point in VW quality (e.g. carpets that are cardboard sprayed with hair-in-a-can) and quality control (e.g. embarrassingly poor body panel alignment). Granted, some of this has to do with the fact that my car is a lowly SE and not an SEL trim. For example, the halogen reflectors are like two candles up there, compared to HIDs. And the Yugo GVL called, wanting its instrument cluster back. But much of it rings true across all Mk-VI Jettas; this is the worst VW since the Westmoreland, PA Rabbits of the 1980s. The Jetta is basically the cheapest way to get VWs fantastic powertrains. But you get what you pay for... And next time Im paying more for a Golf, which is more like what us VW owners expect from a VW, and not this sad, sorry exercise in cost-cutting.

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  Engine boggs on accelleration - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By JC - August 25 - 2:46 pm

  Day after I bought the car it started hesitating and the car stall on me in traffic. Took the car to the dealer the next day and they said they couldnt find the problem. After taking the car several times to the dealer they finally found the problem. It took them 13 days to fix it while I was given a rental car. They replaced the "EVAPCANIST".

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  CC burns oil - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By oldlawyer - August 25 - 12:29 pm

  I have had this car for 13 months and was enjoying its ride comfort, power and fuel economy when I discovered that it was burning oil at about 15,000 miles. I complained and VW tested it then confirmed that it is burning 0.29 quarts every 1000 miles which translates to 2.9 quarts between recommended change intervals. VW says that is okay, but automotive engineers state that it is evidence of an engine defect. The car is a marvel in many ways, but watch out for the oil burning: VW does not disclose this to buyers until after they have bought the car which I think is a bit sleazy.

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  GREAT CAR!!!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By gmoney - August 25 - 4:00 am

  I love my 06 Passat 2.0T fully loaded with the Nav. Before I bought this car I test drove a 330i, C230, G35, TSX, and Accord and this car took all the good things from each one and rolled them up into a very well built package. Some of the most important factors in making my decision revolved around fuel economy, speed/torque, and safety. My Passat has averaged between 26 mpg and is very quick (much faster than the TSX). I use the navigation everyday and I am very impressed with its ease of use, features, and vibrant screen. The amount of storage space is excellent and very well thought out. Give this car a test drive and I think you will find it very hard to not fall in love.

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  wont buy another! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By setaglm - August 25 - 1:43 am

  a.m. radio went out at about 45k $600 dealer quote to replace. the transmission literally fell out before 25k. the passanger side mirror defrost has never worked though i have had it replaced a couple of times. the sunroof drain clogs periodically and starts dripping into the car via the interior lights. a can open is required for anyone over 5 to get in and out of the back seat. interior coating peels constantly. armrest storage latch snaps off randomly (4 times) the front bumper catches or snags on parking curbs and rips. diesal fuel has remained much higher than premium unleaded defeating the noise for mileage trade. v.w. floor mats replaced a number of times only to fall apart quickly.

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  VWs Stealth Sports Car - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By JohnC - August 24 - 8:26 pm

  I purchased my GTI in January when I sold my 2000 Passat. This is a very fun car to drive, it gets great mileage, and I can fit my bike in the back. Im lucky to have a very good dealer to deal with when service is needed.