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:

• 

  Love the TDI - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TDI MAN - May 19 - 7:23 am

  I have owned my TDI since 2002. I have had almost no problems. The 2002 TDI was the last year for this motor. In 2003 they added horsepower, but got worse gas mileage, which is the wrong move with todays gas prices. The 5-speed has tons of power and mid 50 mpg. This beats the these cheesy hybrid trash that has two systems to go potentially wrong, for a lame 30 - 40 mpg. Get a TDI, theyre proven and reliable.

• 

  Wonderful Car - 2004 Volkswagen Golf
  By mdtgr - May 19 - 12:50 am

  This is the best car I have owned- it is fun to drive, gets OK gas mileage (the Golf is actually quite a heavy sturdy car so it wont be as good as say a Civic), and has a huge array of safety features. It handles great in the snow and never misses a beat in the cold weather. Best of all is the storage room when you put the back seats down. For $15K, you cant beat it!

• 

  realy is fun to drive! - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dave - May 18 - 4:46 pm

  nice looking really fun to drive! great acceleration fantastic breaking wonderful power top quietest convertible i have ever been in roomy and not cramped even for a 62" man not much room in back seat for adult (but who cares!)

• 

  1 year with the GTI - 2011 Volkswagen GTI
  By vincevw329 - May 18 - 4:19 am

  I live in the NE and use my 2011 VW GTI, DSGwSunroof as a daily commuter and recently drove a 250 road trip with it. Overall its been a very likeable car. Appearance is still very new with just over 8000 miles on it. I notice some slight wear in the left hand side bolster on the drivers seat from entering/exiting. No squeaks or rattles or any other hickups in my year of driving. The interior is in great shape and I have become accustomed to all the controls. I dont care for the round knobs on the sunroof control and climate controls, more on that later. Also a feature Im not fond of is the tiny rear-view mirror. I especially like the bluetooth, very easy to use. Back seat access is fair.

• 

  After 5 years - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Jeff 66 - May 17 - 7:30 am

  This is a follow up review of a positng I did in 2002. EV now has 38K on it and I have not had a problem. Suspension is still great. Had engine replaced at 17K as my father hit a drainage grate that was sticking up on the a new section of the I-5 freeway and took out the oil pan, which damaged the motor - thanks WSDOT ! I dont drive this much as I am overseas for 4 1/2 months/year, but every time I return it starts up just fine. Only needs routine maintenance. The resale value is very high in my area as well.

• 

  2002 Wagon rocks! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MarkAS - May 16 - 8:23 am

  Bought a 2002 Jetta wagon in Oct 2001 and I love the car. I got the 2.0 liter 5-speed manual transmission and this car has no problems accelerating with one person. The cornering is excellent and the ride feels like a sports car. The interior looks and feels great (esp. at night). Small size makes parking easy. The wagon gives you almost as much cargo space as a small SUV with much better gas mileage.

• 

  The Best Kept Secret of the Auto World.. - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Equalizer - May 16 - 6:30 am

  Absolutely amazing car. I just traded a 2000 A4 for the Jetta, as the A4 was ridiculously overpriced. I was hesitant about getting the Jetta, after driving the A4 for 10 years, but one test drive, and I couldnt wait to trade the Audi in. I have had the Jetta one week, and am thrilled with it. It is fun to drive, easy to drive, comfortable, and utilitarian. I think this is the best kept secret in the auto world....

• 

  VW Passatt GLS 2000 - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By m&j - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Since I purchased my 2000 VW Passat I have had absolutely no problems. The car has been excellent and has not required any major or minor mechanical repairs. I have driven the car twice to Florida (w/out stopping) and got excellent gas mileage (at 30+mpg!). Reliable, safe, economical and good looking!

• 

  As Good As It Gets - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrew420 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  For starters, the dealership was clean, modern and full of beautiful cars to choose from. The Jetta was more in my price range, so I decided to go for it. My budget was keeping me in the upper end of the compact car range, so I stretched a little and went for the GLS 1.8T model, sport package with cold weather options.

• 

  Red Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alvinm3 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I love drivimg it. And driving it fast!!!