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 - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta2 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Jetta. This is the first one I bought with the sports pkg and leather pkg. It is a MUST have. THe car is so good looking and fun to drive. Very fast! Howeever if I didnt have the 17" wheels and leather inside, it would not be nearly as fun to drive. This is the best car I have ever owned.

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  Excellent, sporty, usefull wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nathenso - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Though we have only driven our VW for 3 months, we are exceptionally pleased with the quality, solidity, comfort, and ease to manuver. As far as reliability, we have had no trouble. Time will tell

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  unbelievable - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By aik - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Its like driving a cloud. The speed will become legendary. It is a family car and a finely tuned racing machine. It is a pal, a friend and so much fun to drive. It almost knows what you expect of it and it delivers. The v8 engine is unlike any you have seen before. It takes your breath away.

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  Me and my Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By STROSEN - December 20 - 2:00 am

  So far, so good. There was a problem with the front windows, that was resolved promptly and at no cost. The sound system is very good for factory equipment. Interior room is great, although the back seat area can be a little cramped. The safety features and air bag restraints are top notch. It has a cavernous trunk, even with a full size spare tire. But the best part is the fuel economy, Ive averaged 42-43 mpg combined. That with about 85% of my driving being open road. The TDI engine is very strong and reaches highway speeds without a problem.

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  Highly Recommended! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Scott - December 19 - 11:26 am

  Ive had my 06 Jetta Value Edition for just under a year so far. It has been a wonderful car. Its two visits to the shop have been only for oil changes. The car performs like nothing else in its class. It gets pretty good gas mileage. Its even smoother out on the highway than the Volvo that I traded in for it. I will definitely get another VW when this lease is up! You really cant go wrong with this car! VW really did it right this time.

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  Solid, Comfortable, Effecient, Elegant, Sporty - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jlgolden - December 19 - 8:30 am

  After determining that I wanted an efficient sedan with some acceleration zip and handling athleticism, the Jetta TDI prevailed as the most appealing. The diesels acceleration is delightful around Houstons inner-city grid, as well as when merging and passing on open highways. The DSG transmission takes some personal adjustment time, due to its characteristic (normal) hard downshifts during parking-lot creeping and stop & go traffic situations. Conversely, upshifts are fast and super smooth. Fuel economy is now averaging 42 mpg in mixed driving. This car feels amazingly stable, responsive, and capable in all driving situations.

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  Exotic racer or grocery getter? Its both - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Peter Doney - December 19 - 6:50 am

  Since 1983, my lifes desire was to own a Renault R5 turbo2. I could never make the leap to owning such a specialized car - one that requires many compromises and probably many days and many dollars at the shop. Well, its 2006 and I now own and drive my dream car everyday. But as in a previous review, this car is all about balance. The functionality of the hatchback and fold down seats makes this my activity vehicle for hauling all my mountain bike and ski gear. My insurance agent thinks Im driving an economy car and that police officer just thinks Im driving my sons fixed up GTI (knock on wood), and yet in my mind, Im driving my all time favorite car - no matter what price.

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  love my bug - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sam fam - December 18 - 4:56 pm

  I love my bug ! I have driven an suv for seventeen years. This car is fun fun fun and fast..... Takes off like a rocket and sounds like one too in turbo. We get smiles from passing vehicles and beetle owners are the coolest and love to live life for all that its worth. I plan on buying a another bug for a special family member in the near future !

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  Vdub Supreme - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By tmark - December 16 - 11:06 pm

  This car drives out great; balanced, solid, quiet and well behaved when you desire or sporty and aggressive when you need it. The DSG is a great transmission and after logging 2200 miles I dont miss my manual trans one bit. This is the best sounding car I have ever owned. In fact, I was having my Subaru Spec B serviced when I heard an mkv R32 run through a few down shifts as it entered the dealer; I purchased #989 10 days later. Car has more interior space than most hatches. We have taken two weekend trips with our son including luggage with no problems. Overall, I am very pleased with this car to date. This car really fits my life as a middle aged professional.

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  Excellent - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By brit_008 - December 16 - 7:33 pm

  I absolutely love my bug! Ive had it for almost 2 years. Never really had any problems. Except for the rear brake lights. In case other 98 owners didnt know, the brake switch was recalled on all 98 bugs. (lights stay on, etc.) my lights had been staying on and I searched it out and found out thats what it was. Im the second owner, and the first never had any problems with it. So, I took it to my local vdub dealer and they fixed it right up. Never had any trouble since. Great car, love they way it handles. Very fun to drive.