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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  2002 Passat Wagon, 1.8T - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sedrick Mitchell - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this care new and it has American Specs. We live in Europe and this car is really great on the European roads. It gets great gas mileage and is fun to drive.

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  love bugs - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mssktty18 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Its wonderful fun to drive,You dont have to worry every week about filling your gas tank.its great!They drive quite and run wonderfully.

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  Love It - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Strap - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a blast to drive, great interior and exterior. VW thinks of so many little features that nobody else thinks of, even their manual writers, hence the more I drive my T- REG the more little secrets I find out about (all good). The gas mileage isnt that good but the V8 is so much fun who cares about gas mileage. Everybody that rides in it seems to love to. The quality is first rate.

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  Touareg..an incredible car! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Pelicanu - January 7 - 2:00 am

  When I changed from our family Honda Odyssey to the Touareg, I suddenly realized how much I was missing in driving pleasure and security on the road. No longer I had to be afraid on tight, winding roads that the car is out of balance. The Touareg carves through those roads very precise and confortable...no more tight grips of the steering wheel!

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By MN Commuter - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owneed this car for 5 months. It has been a pleasure to drive. It is very responsive - good fuel economy. I looked at Honda Accord and Saab 93 - the Passat was better handling than the Honda and matched or beat the Saab in handling and roominess at a lower price.

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  Fun to drive, great interior. - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sims158 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I should mention that the reliability rating is only based a months worth of driving. I love the interior of this car and the feel of the car when driving. Its actually fun to drive in the snow, and the ABS is most useful. The sound system is great, I just wish it had a little more leg room in the back. Owell, Ill always have all the room I want. A good choice for any one thats looking for quality, comfort, and safety.

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  Oh the GTI...Muaaah! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vampyre - January 5 - 12:06 am

  It was love at first bite! As soon as I set eyes on the 2003 Volkswagen GTI, I was hooked! Although this vehicle was used, it looked as if it had just rolled off the show room floor. Its charcoal exterior...black leather interior...and five star rims...are flawless! I turned the key...music to my ears! The humming sound of that 1.8T engine was very inviting. I put it in first gear, and I knew this car was for me! With just a 4-cylinder engine, this car feels like a monster! It has fast acceleration, with more than enough torque to throw you head back in the seat! It is not what youd expect out of a typical hatchback. If you looking for something between a sport and economy, this is your car! It is a true pleasure!

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  Feels good to be in a new Passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By B5_Passat - January 3 - 10:00 am

  My previous 99 GLS V6 Passat was the victim of a rear-end collision - this GLX replaces that car. In intervening five years, VW has added a lot of amenities - too numerous to mention. The car has the right balance of performance and practicality. The V6 is smooth, quiet, and very responsive. OnStar is an interesting addition to the Passat. Time will tell if this is a valuable feature. Overall, I was pleased with the purchase - $26K plus tax and 1.9% financing. This is pretty good considering MSRP is $31,430.

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  awesome car to drive - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By njjettalover - January 3 - 10:00 am

  this is my first car here as well my first VW. I got a great deal and with all the fully loaded features the cost was less than Civic EX / Corolla S (i know that there are lot of red faces now that i have compared jetta to civic / corolla). The car is excellent to handle especially during curves / ramps (you can easily push the car to 15 mph more than the specified speed at ramps). Transmission is a bit rough in the first 8000 miles but then it really loosens up. Reverse gear is initially the most unco-operating part!

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  Step on this Beetle and it goes!!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Nancylb50 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle used with 53,000 miles on it as a daily driver for my wife. She travels 46 miles per day round trip. We both love the car. It is easier for me to get into and out of than my 1997 Cadillac Sedan DeVille! Im buying a convertible Bettle this year to replace the Caddy.