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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  Driver Found - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By notpostal - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Im right at 21,000 miles on my Wolfsburg 1.8t 5spd and have not had any real problems. My dealer replaced the window stops at my 20k checkup..they had a tech bulletin on to replace them although mine hadnt failed. The car is more comfortable and fun to drive than my Acura. I get 27+mpg in town and 31+ on the highway. This is the first VW Ive owned and the experience has been wonderful. I plan to replace it next year and will get another Jetta 1.8t but I will check out the triptonic auto. The 5 spd is a lot of fun and easy to operate, but at 58 years of age, Im getting a little lazy.

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  Completely satisfied and very impressed! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By davidm - August 20 - 2:00 am

  We didnt like any of the Hondas, Nissans, or Toyotas. They seemed to have such poor quality. Then we saw one of the Passat Wagons driving on the freeway. The new versions are so beautiful and practical. So we had to go check them out. We thought we couldnt afford a nice German car, but we were wrong! The hardest part was deciding if we wanted the 1.8T (turbo) engine, or the V6. They were both so quiet and powerful. In the end, our dealer made us a great deal on the Passat GLX wagon. The car is so quiet and luxurious, but also very sporty and fun to drive with the 5-speed.

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  Completely satisfied and very impressed! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Davidm - August 20 - 2:00 am

  We didnt like any of the Hondas, Nissans, or Toyotas. They seemed to have such poor quality. Then we saw one of the Passat Wagons driving on the freeway. The new versions are so beautiful and practical. So we had to go check them out. We thought we couldnt afford a nice German car, but we were wrong! The hardest part was deciding if we wanted the 1.8T (turbo) engine, or the V6. They were both so quiet and powerful. In the end, our dealer made us a great deal on the Passat GLX wagon. The car is so quiet and luxurious, but also very sporty and fun to drive with the 5-speed.

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  Comfy!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By JCLMD03 - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Wow! What a nice Car! I like it. Its Comfy and Solid. Im having so much fun driving my Passat. The feeling of Luxury in affordable and reasonable price.

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  Looks are Deceiving - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By splittie - August 19 - 4:06 pm

  Although I was intially impressed with its acceleration and bells and whistles (electronic mileage and trip computer, etc), the car has been in the shop twice for the air pressure guage idiot light, and a bad ground with the battery. Moreover, I am now noticing a bad ground with the a/c fan regulator (a/c fan increases and decreases when depressing accelerator peddle). This car has the same electrical gremlins as my previous VWs. The car with the 16 inch "eco-squealers" does not feel sure footed over the twisties. Inside the fit n finish (plastic door panels) is not as solid as my 1998 VW Passat nor my 97 Audi Cabriolet. For the extra couple of grand I would look at an off lease Audi A4 or A3.

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  GTI is the complete package - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By PJ Chops - August 19 - 2:50 am

  The performance is awesome all around & still feels a bit on the luxury side, 6 spd shifts perfectly, very comfortable heated seats, high quality interior. I actually get 30 mpg on a regular basis which I think is excellent! I test drove many vehicles which were more powerful but chose the GTI because hands down it was all around awesome. This car is so fun to drive I find myself leaving the house and just driving for hours with no destination in mind. I have tornado red with the 18" wheel pkg & this car turns heads everywhere I go. I cant say enough good things about this vehicle.

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  Save your money - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By tarawater - August 19 - 1:35 am

  Since early 2007, I have had the catyletic converter split, front and read brakes replaced, steering column replaced and put on sideways...had to take it back to the dealer. Front axle, compressor, 12 tires...its awful in the snow and ice. Satellite radio died, peeling on the arms and buttons, leak in the sunroof, terrible heating/cooling system...takes forever to heat up. Electrically system messed up and when I try and open the window, it closes, then opens. Numerous other things wrong with it. In just the past 6 months Ive sunk $8000 into the car. The only thing I like is the way it handles on the open road. Im so disappointed with this car and will never buy a VW again.

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  OH BROTHER - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By onlooker4u - August 18 - 4:12 pm

  Bought used with 50k miles on it. Owned VW before so the peeling paint off the radio buttons and the loose headliner was no big deal (similar to my 1980 rabbit). At 95k the clutch is going out and I am afraid of whats going to be lurking under the hood. Havent fixed it, spent all weekend reviewing websites (plenty of them). I am surprised that VW hasnt had a recall. Lesson: Dont buy the 2006 TDI, and to be honest, think seriously about other TDI. If VW does something mechanically wrong, they apparently dont do the right thing and have a recall. UGGGGGH.

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  Great Car! - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By DTR - August 16 - 11:26 pm

  This is my first convertible, and I was a little concerned about the problems that are typical of the breed- -wind noise, cowl shake, etc. I have been very pleasantly surprised by how this vehicle performs. Yes, there is some wind noise, and its not quite as "solid" as a sedan, but Id definitely purchase this car again. Its so much fun to drive, and gets great gas mileage.

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  Pretty to Look at - Not fun to drive - 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By gennac - August 16 - 8:52 am

  The interior is very comfortable with great features. Performance lags -- down right awful on hot summer day w/AC on. Not only does it guzzle down a lot more gas - expensive premium gas I may add but it becomes erratic when idling or in traffic. Try taking your foot off the brake when in traffic with the ac on and watch your car lurch forward without giving it gas. Not to mention the sound it makes while your foot is on the brake while the engine sounds like a helicopter hovering overhead.