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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  fun car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By eman1t - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the 1.8t stick for pickup and fuel economy. Chose the leather interior and couldnt be happier. Overall a fun car to drive

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  Great Car for the Money - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By INTERAVE - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Good car for the money. I have traveled to VA a couple of times and it never gave me a problem. I had to bring my car back to the dealer 3 times for the brakes. The dealer realized it was a defect of the calipers. VW replaced the brakes at no charge. My fuel sensor went at about 35,000 miles. The paint on the car chips too easy. The cupholers are fine but need to be of a better quality than plastic. The interior is first rate. It is like having a BMW for $20,000 less! The blue and red dash always gets complements. Car has the best look in its class. Plus you can brag to your friends that you drive a German car!

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  Jetta GLS 1.8T Review - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By khalaf Khaleefah - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Most responsive aautomatic (Triptronic) transmission I have ever driven.

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  Topless fun in TX - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kevin_pharmd - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Wife and I bought it about 2 weeks ago and we cant stop driving it. We had a bit of trouble finding the Aq Blue with to options we wanted, but the dealer took care of of. The car is absolute fun to drive, handles corners at 55mph w/o problems, rides low and fast. Auto is fun with tiptronic and seat warmers great in the fall. Warning lights hard to see on dash when sun in behind you. You have to get you one!

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  review - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kimberlee - April 16 - 10:00 am

  The car is a dream to drive and is always fun to be spotted in!

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  I am in LOVE with this car. - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By MJude - April 15 - 11:30 pm

  Since the Volkswagen Rabbit will not be available in diesel until 08, I delayed purchasing one. However, once I test-drove the car, I fell in love; if not at first sight. The Rabbit is sturdy, unbelievably safe, comfortable and so amazingly fun to drive! The fuel economy is great, and it seems that I get much better then the EPA suggests. This car is in no way a let-down. Definitely check it out if you havent already! This car is the epitome of flawlessness.

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  Excellence, Perfection - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Anthony Passati - April 15 - 10:53 pm

  Its morning and I cant wait for the drive to work. My 2006 VW Passat makes a commute wonderful. What a fantastic car. I upgraded from the Jettas and dont know if Ill ever go back to a Jetta? Unless I can afford both. Buy one, lease one....whatever...Get in one!

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  Love this car! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By lori - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Passat for 2 1/2 years now and I just love it. The car is fun to drive, has a ton of get up and go, is great on gas and I cant say how many compliments I get on the looks. I have the upgraded tires/rims and the car is extremely sporty with a grown up look. I just turned 20,000 miles without a problem. The paddle shifter is fun for sport driving and the turbo lets this baby move! I highly recommend this car!

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  So far so good.. - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By W.Ryan - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Its good to be driving German again. The CC is comfortable, well behaved on the road, and quiet inside the cabin. Seats are very comfortable, and so are the rest of the creature comforts, I just wish it came with Nav standard. Ive been wanting the CC since it first came out, and now I have one! Everyone stops and stares at it. The exterior is very unique, sleek, and beautiful.

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  3 Tiggs - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By VW4ever - April 14 - 10:00 am

  We have had an 09,10, and 11, Fantastic car. Very Sharp, Sporty and Comfy. Hard to find one but its early in the model year. I think it has finally caught on that it is an awsome vehicle. Did marvelous in last yrs blizzard. Its really not that bad on gas when you consider the power it has! Buy one you want regret it!