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:

• 

  VW does not stand by their products! - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By tmichaelny - April 26 - 10:00 am

  For the most part, this was a reliable little car and fun to drive. Like most VWs it was a rough ride but it was the roomiest, most relaible convertible around... Until the oil light come at 60K. I changed the oil but it was still on. I brought it in and the dealership said it was a comoputer problem and would cost at least $800 to fix. Otherwise, the car was fine. A week later, the engine seized. Neither the dealership nor VW accepted any responsibility. I will never buy a VW again. I really like the Beetle but I dont want to give my business to a "take-your-money- and-run" company!

• 

  What happen to German engineering??? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jam - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I love the interior & exterior design and thats the only good thing I can say about VW. I had so many problem w/ this car that Im planning to trade in. Here are some of the problems: (1) engine oil consumption (1qt/ every 1000miles) - dealer said it was normal but now VW has a special repair kit. (2) air flow meter failure (3) oxygen sensor failure (4) door lock actuator problem (5) rattle from interior (6) Catalytic converter failure.... And Im preparing myself for window regulator failure soon (it hasnt happened yet but my rear door window dropped few times). And most of all, bad treatment from dealership makes me to hate myself for buying VW.

• 

  Piece of Junk? - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By monkeytoes - April 26 - 6:10 am

  I have had my CC for 7 weeks. 2 high speed balances, 2 regular, 2 new tires and the car still shakes at 55mph and beyond. Car shakes very bad going up hill. Worst part is that the dealership that sold me the car has a consumer rating of D- with the BBB and it shows because they charge me $60.00 to have a balance done on the car 1 week after the purchase date. The rear windows also leak and the blue tooth works only when it wants too! Thanks VW for selling me a LEMON and then not standing behind your product! Oh, the $150.00 you sent to try and make me happy, I will be using it tomorrow to have all 4 tires balanced for the 5th time!

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Denis - April 25 - 9:03 pm

  Have had the car for 2 mo. What a great ride! I was looking for comfortable seating and 4 dr. The seating issues ruled out the Hondas and Nissans. The doors ruled out the Mini. The car has taken a bit of getting used to the ride (a bit stiffer than my 97 Golf), but the control and response will just put a grin on your face every time. That and the fact that this ting gets up and scoots. All this and I just got 33 mpg on a recent trip up to northern CA. Averaging 26+ combined driving over 2k miles on the car. Go VW.

• 

  Great Car! - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tom - April 25 - 5:27 pm

  The Jetta S reminds me of my first car, VW Rabbit. Basic car, basic technology, but a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

• 

  treg - 2 months review - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By testrada - April 25 - 5:43 am

  vehicle is good. looked at x5, x3, q7, q5, cayenne, highlander, f150, explorer, mdx.... chose these because of the mix of very good quality, features, comfort at a relatively decent value (most vehicles we looked at were $50k+ with either less features, less quality, or both. too bad not all the european options are available on the models here. perhaps vw afraid its getting too close to q7 or cayenne. power is more than adequate brakes are superb avg mpg 21 with 50/50 hwy/city (not going over 70) turn ratio is phenomenal

• 

  My Jetta GLX - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ssmith - April 25 - 3:06 am

  The car has been a pleasure to drive. The front seats are very confortable. The instrament lighting and the stereo rocks!

• 

  The car of the future - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By W. Bass - April 23 - 2:33 pm

  Peppy in town. Fast, good at highway speeds. Comfortable ride. Responsive steering and brakes. The 5sp manual is a joy--as smooth as an automatic.

• 

  Hooligan Hatch - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By .:R32John - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car for 3 months but i must say it feel this may be my favorite car (that i have owned). I have owned an M-Roadster, TT 225 Quattro, 330ci, Porsche 944s, and a Ford Mustang GT and needless to say, this is the most fun to drive. I look at it as if an MRoadster and a TT were to have an offspring, this would be it!

• 

  The Most Fun youll ever have in a Car! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By BassMan097 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  The R32 exhibits superiority in overall build quality, interior and exterior styling, out-of- this-world handling and braking, and a stout, naturally aspirated powerplant with power on tap at any spot in the power band. The incredible support offered by the leather Konig racing seats, the feel of the thick but small steering wheel, the accessibility of the 6 speed short throw shifter, and the incredbile exhaust note lets you know the R means business. After one drive on a twisty mountain road and it will become obvious that this autobahn bred beast is pure driving excitment.