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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  Great Car...So Far - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bob - March 6 - 9:33 am

  I have had my 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI for three weeks now and am getting a true 43 mpg on the road. Its fit and finish are phenomenal. It seems to be a very well built car. I have no complaints yet.

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  This car is really fun - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By herb - March 4 - 7:40 am

  I have only had my new 08 VW Eos for 3 weeks now but it has been a blast!! The 200 hp turbo is powerful, the 6 sp auto trans is smooth, can not feel the shifts, and of course, the top. What fun it is to open or close the top and watch everyone around the car just stare.

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  Great - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dickhead04 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I love the car

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  LOVE MY NEW BEETLE - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HOLLY - March 3 - 10:00 am

  LOVE MY NEW BEETLE. FUN AND EASY TO DRIVE AND VERY COMFORTABLE.

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  my 1st VW SEL 4motion - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By fbc2002 - March 3 - 8:30 am

  we have this for a week now so far so good no issues drives good for a big SUV only negative is for a car thats price 43K navigation should be standard

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  Awesome Car!!!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By 03gtiturbo - March 2 - 8:53 am

  When i had to replace my civic hatch, i looked at all the "pocket rockets" out there like the civic si and the nissan se-r spec v. Then i looked at a car that i have always been in love with, the gti. The car had all the options and it drove very smooth, but there was one thing i have dreamed of having forever. TURBO POWER. With traction control on, it spun the tires and the powerband was smooth as silk. The sound of the turbo was great too. It also had plenty of torque and that made it easier to drive than the other cars i drove. There hasnt been a day when i was unhappy with my buy. All i can say is to get the 5spd and the turbo. You wont be sorry.

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  25,000 miles so far, so good - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By Scott Johnson - March 2 - 12:57 am

  Just today turned over to 25,000. We have really enjoyed this vehicle. Sluggish accelerator that does take some time to get accustomed to but plenty of pep if you hit it. No issues with the creature comforts so far and everyone comments on the amount of interior space for a small vehicle. Only issue has been a burned out rear tail light; easy enough to replace myself. At 25k miles the Hankook tires are holding up well.

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  2006 Jetta TDI w/DGS - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - March 1 - 8:20 pm

  This car is solid and fun to drive. It puts a smile on my face every time I puchas fuel (B5).

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  Great Car - My 2nd GTi - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Dante - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I owned an 84 GTi (the original) for 12 years, then a Jetta GLi for 8 more years. After a quick stint with another vehicle, I went back to VW. I bought this car used, with 60k miles already on it. I am now very close to 100k and I absolutely love this car. Only problems I have had is: replacing the water pump (normal) and a bad coil pack (normal?). I maintain it religiously, running only synthetic oil. I honestly never have to open the hood between changes - it uses absolutely no oil, and the old oil is only moderately dirty after 5k miles. One odd issue - I have to top off the power steering fluid every 5k-6k miles and I see none of it leaking out(?)

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  This car feels more expensive than it is - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By Dave - March 1 - 10:00 am

  This car matches well interior-wise to cars in the 40-50K range. The exterior is the most beautiful VW ever built. I am not a huge fan of turbo motors and if I were to cite any weakness it iss a bit of hesitation at times that you do get with a noramally aspirated engine. The Soundsystem sounds great. The controls are logically placed and is a pleasure to drive and be seen in.