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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  You bought a what? Toureg? - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rsbandit - July 17 - 10:00 am

  No one knows about this SUV, yet the people who do understand know what it is to drive a true touring SUV. I am an urban cowboy who loves his comforts and the Toureg provides all you need and more. A bit slow on start up until you put the car in S. Then away you go. The engineering could not be better. Sound system excellent. I just cam out of a Lexas 300RX and this is better built SUV. The SUV even can give you the tire pressure along with other information. The V8 is very fast but gas costly. I just spent the weekend on a long trip and never had to stop because of discomfort. A pure pleasure. Enjoy!

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  67,000 miles - Still love the car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By dmkatz01 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I drive a lot! 40k miles / year. I have had two mass-air flow sensors fail (in hard rain) but no other problems with the car itself. Dealer service shop doesnt know how to use a torque wrench (on lug nuts or oil drain plugs) but the car is a blast to drive and very comfortable on the highway.

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  A++++++++++ - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lilbikerchick - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I actually own a 2003 TDI but I had to rave about it. Volkwagon is so reliable and I can drive from college station tx to gulfport, ms get this...on one tank of gas! This car is a little small on the outside but it makes up for it everywhere else.

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  I love my Jetta :) - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sistert - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I have been thoroughly pleased with the performance of my Jetta and with the service I have received from the dealership. Although its not perfect, its a smooth ride, I feel very comfortable and safe, and theres plenty of room for passengers and in the trunk. My sales representative at the dealership was straight-forward and easy to work with- I got an excellent deal and he has been helpful in my follow-up phone calls with random questions.

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  Outstanding! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By By by Oldsmobiles!! - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I used to drive a piece of crap Oldsmobile Alero...and well you can probably guess why they are no longer in business. I will never buy another American car at least for awhile. I listened to a friends advice to get a VW (she drives the Golf and loves it) and what an excellent choice I made. The car looks and drives like a dream car. It is sleek and very modern looking. It is excellent on gas and drives well on the highways. I love it when peoples heads turn when they see my Jetta!

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  My engine Blew...VW wouldnt help! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Meggie Boo - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I loved driving my car until one day my engine destroyed itself. The manufactureer sugests that normal oil should be fine a a turbo engine. But I PAINFULLY found out that synthetic oil is the only oil that is supposed to be used in a turbo car. The normal becomes so thick that is is as hard as tar and is causes blockages! this cause the engine to stop AFTER it has broken the pistons and destroyed the valves! I know 4 people who this has happened too!

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  Great - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Michael Cheeks - July 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has alot of geat features for such a great bargain. It rides wonderful and gets great gas mileage. If I get the chance to get another one I intend to do so.

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  I love my car!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tehj151 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for just three months. The only thing I can say negative is that the seats are not very comfortable to sit in for any length of time. I keep a pillow in the drivers seat behind my back to help with back pain.

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  Cutest piece of junk on the road! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LPKAY - July 16 - 9:50 pm

  This car has been in the shop 4 times for window motor replacement, countless times for various electrical and sensor problems, the convertible top motor broke,bad headlights, impossible to clean seats, etc. Ive had every problem that everyone else has had. This is the least reliable, most poorly designed car with the worst customer service Ive ever had; its also incredibly cute and very fun to drive! I would never spend another penny on a volkswagen, especially if it was my only car. We have other cars so it wasnt a problem that has been in the shop almost 20 times.

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  Hate It! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By HMS - July 16 - 5:10 pm

  I wanted a Jetta for about 10 years and finally purchased one in 2003. I did this despite all the bad reviews and advice of others. Im sorry to say that the car has been nothing but problems. Not only did I have to take it in numerous times to get it repaired under warranty, since the warrantys expired, I have sunk thousands into this car. I owned a used car that was 14 years old and only had to get a major repair done once. You name the part, its been repaired in the Jetta: catalytic converter, cv joint, air conditioning, windows, radio, seat, armrest, swaybush, etc. I will never buy a VW again. They will try and say "this years model is better" but its not. Dont do it.