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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  Dont understand the Hybrid Hoopla - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By smarkway - May 21 - 9:43 pm

  Since I purchased my diesel Golf, I have driven 10,000 miles and my miliage has improved from 40/48 to 42/48. I get 600 miles to the tank of fuel on the highway. The only problem to date is a plugged water line for the rear wiper/washer. The cruise contol is ackward to use.

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  another example of overenginered parts - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By noisyhonda - May 21 - 12:53 pm

  when i bought this car it gave a GREAT FIRST impression. good fit and finish clean lines good overall german paint and body.it was fun to drive plenty of power good not great handling. over all a very seemly sound investment. I have now owned the vehicle for four years 1.5 setting in my garage dead. I have had this car in the shop about five times for dead batterys snapped timing belt bad water pump( its impeller is made out of plastic very bad idea) bad alternator, tail light constantly going out, check engine light comes on in two minutes after dealership resets it but it show no codes, and now something is wrong with the transmission wont go anywhere. overall i would not recommend this car

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  Awesome car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Antonio246 - May 21 - 11:36 am

  This is my first VW and I am totally hooked. Not only is the dealer first class but the car has been the most reliable Ive ever owned. I now have 39,000 miles on it and have not put one dime into it except for tires and oil changes. It still looks as good as the day I bought it and the body is as solid as ever. I still get huge compliments on this car. I highly recommend this car!

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  Love My Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By noneya - May 21 - 11:23 am

  This is my third Volkswagon Jetta and my first turbo. The Jetta is fun to drive with great performance and humph when you jump on the gas. I have been tracking MPG for the last 30k miles most of which is city miles commuting 55 miles round trip each day and I am averaging about 28 MPG. Some of the interior components are a little loose and rattle slightly sometimes. However, the leather interior is comfortable for the short trips or the long drives. Recommended the Jetta to my brother-in- law and he loves it as well. You will not find another car with the features, horsepower, and style without spending 10-15k more.

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  Fun Car to Drive, But... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By PKF Passat - May 21 - 10:00 am

  After being a two-time Honda owner, I decided to take a chance with the much better-equipped VW Passat. I bought my 99 Passat GLS V6 in 2002 under the certified program, which came with a supplemental 2-year/24,000 mile warranty. The car is easily the most fun I have ever driven. The V6 is peppy, and the features are great. Unfortunately, the quality has been nothing short of a complete disaster. In just over a year, Ive replaced the rear brakes and rotors twice, the entire front suspension, radiator, all of the interior dash lighting, and the list goes on...while the the warranty still exists now, Im dreading owning this car without one.

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  Wouldnt buy another one. - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Biff_96 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Check engine light came on three times since purchased due to burned out carbon sensor. The glove box hinges have broken twice. There is unknown goop oozing out of both door hinges. Like the look of the car, fun to drive, but their have been too many irritating problems since I purchased it in 2000. Would not recommend.

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  BMW performance w/o the price - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By lsm@spring - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This car handles as well as our 300i and has all the bells and whistles that the BMW has - but at $10,000 less. The 4 wheel drive is phenomenal. This car sticks to the road better than our X5. We bought it for our teen, but I may get one for myself.

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  Passat Highline 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Michael23 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I own a German spec Passat Highline. It has many features not avalable here in the USA. The 1.8T engine is great for tuning (chips, exaust, and intake) I have easly 220HP from a 4cyl petrol engine. This is a great car to drive and identical to its twin sister the Audi A4 1.8T. I recomend both cars to anyone. Im a loyal VAG customer and sometimes the dealerships here in the USA dont know there heads from there asses but those are the minor things compaired to such a great looking ride. Danke! Michael (Miami, FL/Munich Germany)

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  Great BANG for the buck - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By deepclue - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This car feels like a luxury sports sedan to the point of making it a bargain. I just cannot imagine why I would want to pay so much more for an Audi A4. Only problem I have found is some rattling on the dashboard, and some squeaks from the door insulation.

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  TDI Convert - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AGL - May 20 - 10:16 pm

  Call me a convert! I ditched my 07 Chevy Tahoe for some TDI fun. I waited several months for a TDI sport wagon and it was worth the wait. This car is a joy to drive and the mileage is fantastic. I drove a friends hybrid Camry, and a Prius, before testing the TDI. There is simply no comparison. Toyotas hybrids are great at what they do, but I couldnt imagine driving one on a daily basis. This is my first VW, and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the diesel option in the new Tiguan so my wife can have a little fun. Zipping around town in the Jetta is loads of fun, and I am looking forward to my first road trip.